The current crisis in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, has left the world divided. Western governments, including Australia, often appear to show clear support for one side, focusing predominantly on Israeli losses while underplaying or offering limited acknowledgment of the devastating Palestinian casualties. Over 40,000 Palestinians, many of them civilians, have died in the ongoing conflict, yet political narratives often overshadow this humanitarian crisis.
This imbalance in reporting and government responses exacerbates tensions, fuels hatred, and perpetuates violence, making it crucial to adopt a balanced, strategic approach for sustainable peace.
The Impact of Bias on Conflict: Fueling Tensions and Undermining Peace
Psychological concepts, such as cognitive bias and group polarisation, help explain how unequal representation and biased narratives can deepen divisions. When one group feels unrepresented or demonised, they experience perceived injustice. This leads to anger and the desire to fight back. This is particularly dangerous in geopolitical conflicts, where tensions are already high. By failing to acknowledge the suffering on both sides adequately, governments and media outlets risk splitting and dividing communities and inflaming the situation further rather than contributing to peace.
Biased framing also contributes to a "them vs. us" mentality, intensifying tribalism. This narrow view ignores the full complexity of the conflict and reinforces dehumanisation, making peaceful resolution less attainable. Demonising one side and ignoring the suffering of the other is like pouring fuel onto a raging fire—this approach only increases hostility, reducing the possibility of dialogue and mutual understanding necessary for peaceful solutions.
The Right to Protest: A Threatened Freedom
Adding to the complexity of the current situation, on October 7, 2024, various state governments in Australia, along with police forces, moved to ban protests related to the Middle East conflict. This alarming decision undermines a fundamental democratic right to protest. Silencing voices through such bans only intensifies feelings of injustice and frustration.
Restricting protests sends a chilling message at a time when open dialogue and expression are essential for achieving balanced, peaceful outcomes. Rather than suppressing peaceful demonstrations, state governments should encourage constructive discourse that allows all perspectives to be heard. Preventing people from standing up for human rights only deepens divisions and risks escalating tensions even further, creating a sense that certain views are unjustly suppressed.
This move sets a dangerous precedent of prioritising political interests over democratic freedoms. Instead of promoting resolution, it stokes public resentment and mistrust. Governments should be champions of human rights, not enforcers of suppression, especially in times of crisis.
Supreme Court Ruling: Upholding the Right to Protest
In response to the controversial ban on protests related to the Middle East conflict on 7 October 2024, the matter was swiftly brought before the state Supreme Court. In a landmark ruling, the court struck down the ban, affirming that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental aspect of democratic society.
The court emphasised that suppressing free expression, especially in moments of international crisis, undermines the principles of justice and accountability. This ruling was a victory for civil liberties, reinforcing that governments should not use political tensions as an excuse to infringe on fundamental freedoms. By upholding the right to protest, the court ensured that Australians could voice their concerns about humanitarian issues and government policies without fear of reprisal, promoting an environment where open dialogue can lead to more balanced, peaceful solutions to global conflicts.
Strategic Thinking: The Path to Peace
Violence, as history shows, is self-perpetuating. It generates trauma, mental health issues, and intergenerational cycles of violence that last for decades. Children who grow up witnessing conflict are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. They also carry the seeds of hatred and mistrust into adulthood, which can make future peace negotiations even more difficult.
Strategic thinking, in contrast, emphasises win/win solutions. This approach prioritises negotiation, cooperation, and long-term stability over short-term gains from military aggression. For peace to be achieved, both sides must recognise that violence only creates losers, not winners.
A balanced approach to this conflict—one that acknowledges the grief and pain of Israelis and Palestinians alike—is essential for lasting peace. It is not enough to show sympathy for one side while turning a blind eye to the suffering of the other. Real peace requires empathy, mutual recognition, and a commitment to human dignity for all.
The Role of Government: Courage Over Political Opportunism
Unfortunately, in many cases, political leaders use these crises to advance their agendas. Australian politician Peter Dutton, for instance, has been criticised for using the Middle East conflict as an opportunity to promote his political ambitions. By focusing solely on Israel’s security concerns without acknowledging the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Dutton risks appearing opportunistic. He exploits such situations to appeal to certain voter bases rather than showing genuine empathy or proposing balanced, humanitarian solutions. Leaders like Dutton fail to address the root causes of the conflict and instead use these moments to stoke fear and division for their self-interests and gain.
The world needs leaders who prioritise humanitarian values over political expediency, especially during times of war. Governments should be bold enough to maintain a humanitarian stance, even when political interests suggest otherwise. All governments are responsible for ensuring their policies reflect compassion, empathy, and respect for human rights, not short-sighted political objectives. Failing to do so not only damages a nation’s moral standing but also perpetuates the cycle of violence that has already claimed far too many lives.
The Bottom Line: Standing Up for Human Rights in the War of Israel and Palestine
The bottom line is that human rights are being trampled internationally, and it is our collective responsibility to oppose this. Regardless of nationality, religion, or political affiliation, everyone should support the fundamental international human right for all civilians to live in peace, free from the threat of violence and harm. We must recognise the humanity in each other and reject efforts to divide us.
In times of crisis, we must stand shoulder to shoulder, united in opposition to those who would unleash the terror of violence and war. True peace will only come when we work together to protect all people's dignity, safety, and rights.
There is no room in the world for those who rely on dichotomous thinking to divide and conquer rather than embrace intelligent, humane strategies to achieve global peace and mutually beneficial outcomes. We deserve better from our world 'leaders'.
A Call for Humanitarian Leadership
The Middle East conflict should serve as a wake-up call for all governments. A humanitarian, balanced, and strategic approach is needed now more than ever. This is not a matter of taking sides but of standing up for human rights, recognising the immense suffering on all fronts, and fostering peace through dialogue and diplomacy. Leaders should abandon biased rhetoric and seek solutions promoting understanding and long-term reconciliation. If governments continue to act as political puppets, failing to prioritise humanitarian principles, we risk generations of further violence, trauma, and instability.
The path forward is clear. We must reject violence as a solution and adopt strategic thinking that promotes peaceful, win-win outcomes. Let us also hold our leaders accountable, demanding they maintain their humanitarian values and work towards a future where human rights are respected for all people, regardless of their nationality, religion, or ethnicity.
Upholding Humanitarian Values: A Moral Duty
While iflow Psychology strives to remain politically neutral as a service dedicated to healing trauma and addressing mental health issues, we recognise our moral duty to promote humanitarian principles.
As mental health professionals, we cannot ignore the toxic behaviours and divisive actions that undermine world peace and violate international human rights. By calling out these harmful dynamics, we stand in solidarity with those affected by conflict and violence, advocating for a future where compassion, empathy, and justice guide our actions, creating a world where all individuals can live free from trauma and fear.
Conclusion: Peace Requires Balance and Empathy
The situation in the war of Israel and Palestine stands as a tragic reminder of the dire consequences stemming from bias, political opportunism, and a failure to prioritise humanity. When one side is demonised while the suffering of the other is overlooked, the path to peace becomes increasingly obstructed.
To break this cycle of violence, we must embrace a balanced and empathetic approach that acknowledges the pain experienced by all involved. By committing to open dialogue and understanding, we can pave the way for a future where generations can thrive free from trauma, hatred, and war.
We must urge our leaders to transcend political interests and uphold humanitarian values, fostering a world where everyone is afforded dignity, safety, and the right to live peacefully.
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So well said Dean. Our mainstream media and major party politicians have woefully failed us, inflaming division and frustration with their constant overt bias and dehumanisation of the vast majority of the victims of the past year’s violence. Gathering together at anti-war, pro-humanitarian events gives us an opportunity to stand together in solidarity with like-minded members of our community, of all faiths, who are calling in the first instance for an immediate permanent ceasefire.