Gas and the Battle for Meaning - When the Roles of Victim and Executioner Changed in the World’s Consciousness
Assalamu alaikum. Since the last war in Gaza, which started on October 7, 2023, and claimed, according to the Ministry of Health in the sector as of October 2025, tens of thousands of Palestinians - most of them women and children - the world has started to look at this conflict in a new way.
The footage of destruction and the stories of people who’ve been pulled from the rubble have forced many to rethink their moral compass. Israel has stopped being the “eternal victim” for many - it's increasingly seen as a side that’s applying collective punishment. And the Palestinians, long deprived of a voice and recognition of their humanity, have become a symbol of suffering for the conscience of humanity.
For many years, Israeli politics leaned on the narrative of collective trauma and the right to security. But the scenes in Gaza - kids pulled from the ruins, destroyed hospitals, entire neighborhoods wiped off the map - have shattered those previous beliefs for many people.
The fear of being wiped out doesn’t sound so convincing anymore when you see one of the most devastated regions of the 21st century. The myth of moral purity has been shaken after strikes on medical facilities and the death of journalists. The security argument has weakened when bombings impacted civilians without any clear military necessity. Even though both sides talk about “human shields,” reports from international organizations show that a significant portion of the dead are women and children.
Before, the version of events was often broadcast through major media studios, where losses were brushed off as “collateral.” Now the truth is seen directly - from the shattered streets, through the cameras of those who experienced it. The stories of journalists and ordinary people who lost loved ones have reached millions and changed perceptions.
This shift has also revealed the hypocrisy in Western discussions about human rights: those who loudly proclaim international law often turn a blind eye to occupation and suffering. Israel has stopped being an exception for many and is now seen as a continuation of colonial practices under the guise of security.
As one of the fighters against oppression said, silence in the face of injustice is a choice for the oppressor. This is not just a political shift, but a moral one: among the youth and activists, support for previous positions has dropped significantly in a short time.
The Palestinian issue no longer looks like just a “regional problem” - it's become a measure of justice for people all over the world. A new generation of activists, journalists, and artists believe that silence is complicity and sees Gaza as a test of conscience.
Gaza has won the battle for meaning: the truth that emerged from the rubble has redefined global perceptions of where human rights are violated. Power alone doesn’t grant legitimacy: an erstwhile victim can become an executioner.
Now this moral jolt needs to translate into real actions - public campaigns, boycotts, legislative initiatives that turn talk of justice into concrete deeds.
This war was not just about liberation from occupation but also about the conscience of humanity. And the truth that broke through the ruins turned out to be stronger than many words and weapons. And for us as believers, it's important to pray for the dead, help the innocent, and strive for justice within the framework of our faith.
https://islamnews.ru/2025/10/2