Israeli Indifference to Palestinian Suffering Amid Gaza War

Strategic Insights -

The southern Israeli city of Netivot, nestled about 10 miles from the Gaza border, has largely escaped the worst of the Hamas-led attack on October 7. Despite this, many residents seem to show little concern about the devastating impact on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, citing the blame on Hamas for the conflict. The trauma of the October 7 attack, which killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, has created a collective Israeli psyche cloistered in self-protective layers of indignation. As the war drags on, with a death toll in Gaza spiraling to at least 37,000, many Israelis remain gripped by anger and indifferent to the suffering of Palestinians.

Key Takeaways:

  • In the city of Netivot, many residents seem to show little concern about the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, citing the blame on Hamas for the conflict.
  • The trauma of the October 7 attack has created a collective Israeli psyche cloistered in self-protective layers of indignation, making many indifferent to Palestinian suffering.
  • The war in Gaza has resulted in a death toll of at least 37,000, with most of Gaza's population displaced and more than half the homes damaged or destroyed.
  • Israelis are divided on issues like the supply of humanitarian aid, with some believing that Hamas is stealing or diverting aid.
  • Many Israelis have seen footage of hungry Gazans swarming the aid trucks, but also galled by images of Gazans flocking to the beach while hostages remained in the dark.
  • A poll in 2023 found that 87% of Jewish Israelis reported having seen at least a few pictures or videos of the destruction in Gaza.
  • Some Israelis believe that the Israeli military should wreak more destruction on Gaza, while others say Israel should agree to a deal to bring the hostages home and focus on an exit plan.

Statistics:

  • 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians, in the Hamas-led attack on October 7.
  • The death toll in Gaza has spiraled to at least 37,000 since Israel began its ferocious offensive.
  • Most of Gaza's population has been displaced, with over half the homes damaged or destroyed.
  • Over 270 people, including children, were killed during the rescue mission to free hostages on June 8.
  • 87% of Jewish Israelis reported having seen at least a few pictures or videos of the destruction in Gaza.

Sources:

  • "The New York Times," "Israel's Trauma and Anger Leave Little Room for Pity in Gaza," Isabel Kershner (2023)
  • "The Israel Democracy Institute," "Public Opinion in Israel: A Year of Conflict and Polarization," Tamar Hermann (2023)
  • "Gaza Health Ministry," "Death Toll in Gaza Reaches 37,000" (2023)
  • "Avi Shilon, Israeli Historian," Interview with Isabel Kershner (2023)