In the wake of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, influential figures such as the philosopher Judith Butler and the musician Roger Waters have come forward to voice their concerns and suggest ideas for solutions. Their statements echo a growing international call for a re-evaluation of the Israeli-Palestinian relations and a plea for an immediate halt to the violence.
Judith Butler, in a comprehensive piece, “The Compass of Mourning” published in the London Review of Books on 13 October, condemned the violence committed by Hamas, but emphasised the importance of understanding the broader historical and political context. “I do condemn without qualification the violence committed by Hamas… But there are other reactions as well… It would be especially odd to believe that condemnation requires a refusal to understand, for fear that knowledge can only serve a relativising function and undermine our capacity to judge”, the philosopher stated.
Butler challenged the binary of simply condemning or approving the violence, urging a deeper understanding of the political formations and the complex history of violence in the region. She argued that a more informed assessment can lead to a more substantial ideal of equality, where “the grievability of lives” is recognised beyond the present moment of heightened media attention.
Meanwhile, Roger Waters came forward with a strong condemnation of the Israeli government’s actions and a plea for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in an open letter published in the Palestine Chronicle on the same day. He proposed a one-state solution, envisioning a new state with equal human rights for all its citizens, irrespective of their ethnicity or religion. “First, get round a big table and hammer out a one-state solution…this new state would be an actual, real democracy”, the musician urged.
Waters also emphasised the importance of universal human rights and stood in solidarity with the oppressed people in the “Holy Land”, expressing a heartfelt plea to stop the bloodshed. “I dream that dream. No ifs, no ands, no buts… Today, in the Holy Land, there is an oppressor and there are the oppressed. Who is to blame for the bloodshed? The oppressor is. No ifs, no ands, no buts”, he declared.
Both Butler and Waters, though from different perspectives, point to a need for a broader understanding and a rethinking of Israeli-Palestinian relations. Their calls echo a growing international sentiment for a more nuanced approach to the crisis, moving beyond the binary of condemnation and seeking a peaceful, just resolution to the ongoing conflict.
