On an important matter

I've always been the kind of person who keeps their opinions close to the chest. Most of my thoughts and reflections are reserved for one to one conversations rather than public proclamations. Honestly, I often feel the digital age has amplified voices in a way that everyone believes their opinions hold more weight than they actually do, even when they're commenting on subjects they're not fully informed about.

This platform, primarily a photo blog, has never been a space for political discourse. But every click of my camera, every image I capture, is inevitably influenced by the person I've grown into—a result of reading, listening, and understanding the world around me.

War is complex. The debate surrounding territories is intricate and deeply rooted. However, without diving deep into that quagmire, one thing is starkly clear: the scales are imbalanced, and innocent civilians bear a disproportionate brunt.

The West's grandiose talks of protecting rights and championing freedom are now being put to the ultimate test. If these ideals can't be upheld during pressing times, then aren't they just hollow words? Carl Schmitt said that the core of sovereignty is rooted in 'Macht,' or the capacity for decisive action, which can include the authority to suspend norms and potentially bypass international law in states of exception. Well, shouldn't a Jew state go as far as possible from acting like a Nazist active supporter?

Yesterday, I joined a demonstration in Tokyo, driven by my convictions and concern for the cease-fire in Gaza. The crowd was larger than I could have anticipated, a clear testament to the global sentiment on the conflict.

What stood out to me was the overwhelming number of foreigners, mainly from Arab nations. Their presence was powerful and undeniable. Yet, it made me wonder: Why weren’t more locals standing alongside? This isn't just a distant issue; it's a humanitarian crisis that demands global attention.

While I’m no Middle East expert, I've taken the time to delve into the history of the region. It's a tangled web of events and sentiments, with no easy answers. Recently, I came across a thought-provoking piece by philosopher Slavoj Žižek. He proposed in the end of the article that "Hamas and Israeli hardliners are two sides of the same coin." His stance, advocating for both the defense rights of Israel and the pressing humanitarian needs of the Palestinians, struck a chord with me. It might seem idealistic, but it's a balanced perspective that leans into hope over hatred.

I do think that asking for a cease-fire now is not antisemitic, it’s not pro-Hamas (that has perpetrated an equally horrible and very irresponsible act). the point for me is that in Palestine there ARE civilians. And they are dying without any chance to get away from the area. Even from this distance, we have a role to play. Supporting a cease-fire and pushing for humanitarian assistance is not just a plea; it's a responsibility.