A Response to: You Really Want to Cosign a Genocide?

By Luca Filigenzi, Staff Writer

With a whole month since the last Newswire article, a little reminder might be in order for the purposes of this opinion article. In the Nov. 29 edition, an opinion piece by Grace Hamilton was published regarding the ongoing conflicts between the Israeli government and the Hamas terrorist group. In that article, Hamilton’s focus revolved partially on why it’s important to not forget about this as we go on with our lives — a fair statement. However, there are a few aspects that require debate. 

Hamilton’s article accuses regular civilians of advocating for a genocide they know far too little about, because they choose to not be involved. Hamilton’s final sentence reads, “Israel is okay with genocide. And if you’re silent, you are too.” Now, I believe this to be a terrible moral thesis for several reasons. My article does not wish to take a side in the matter, but rather vindicate the idea that being neutral is not akin to committing the crimes you want to stay out of. 

Firstly, let’s take this entire war, all of it. This is a conflict so complex, with decades of build up. Both sides have committed crimes for reasons it would take weeks to fully understand. Now ask someone to make a stance on it. Most people don’t know nearly enough about the situation to have a valid opinion on the matter. Most people that aren’t silent don’t have a damn clue what they’re talking about, undermining the opinions of those that do know. Those that do have good knowledge should absolutely discuss it, but demanding that everyone should work to have an opinion on such a complex matter or be threatened with the guilt of “cosigning a genocide” is a moral ultimatum I wholeheartedly disagree with.

Secondly, the crimes in Israel and Gaza are horrific on both sides, but both sides are doing it, so choosing a side without absolute reason and evidence is complete arrogance. This is a complex war — wars are never 100% good versus 100% evil. They are run by people with morals, but also people with drives for vengeance, anger or glory. Wars are terrible because they make monsters out of good men, and it should be an absolute last resort for any nation that considers itself modern. The conflict here is no exception; one day Hamas will start the fight, the next day Israel will bomb Hamas, and so on and so forth until a ceasefire. The previous article offered plenty of examples of crimes Israel has committed, but Hamas has done absolutely nothing to forward the idea of peace for a war they started, whether it be indiscriminate rocket attacks, the rape of Israelis or employing children to murder. Both sides have sinned against humanity, so how do you choose? How do you not be silent and pause to think? Why even take a side? Unless you’re Joe Biden or someone who can actually make a worthwhile difference, you don’t have to get involved if you don’t want to, and you are not cosigning the crimes if you don’t. 

With all the horrors told to us daily, it’s natural to want to take up arms and fight the bad guys. But I believe reality makes choices like these more nuanced. You can choose to get involved; as Americans, we are uniquely privileged with access to information, precedents and an outsider point of view. But, if you don’t want to, if you would choose to live your life outside of the chaos (let’s be honest, most get enough in their own lives), you are not committing genocide. You are not murdering civilians. You are not seeking to unseat a democratic government. You are living your life without hurting others, and that is not a crime.