It seems out of place to comment on the situation (conflict? war? – When does the headline reflect reality, and does it even make a difference to the people who are there?) in Israel and Gaza, but also out of character to say nothing. There has been plenty of politics, plenty of musing over religion on this blog. But I think, or I would like to think, more focus on peace. At least, this is what I hope.

But I know that hope isn’t good enough, that the achievement of peace can mean fighting, it can mean anger, it can mean bloodshed. That the world established an international organization to keep peace after the Second World War says everything I think we need to say about what humanity can do; that the organization is toothless, impotent, rife with its own governmental conflict, gripped by fear, and therefore ineffective tells us about what world governments are afraid of – ceding their own power to do what is better for the whole.

And what we see in situations like this, in all forms of conflict, is that the people who are most affected are very often those who are least involved. Don’t we all want to come and go without fear, hug our loved ones without thinking about a ticking clock, believe in the wishes on stars that we whisper together with children?

I am experienced enough to understand that no, it’s not all as charming as this picture I’m painting, that in fact some are so consumed by rage that they have made it their life’s work to spread hate to others. But I am also experienced enough to know that while the actions of single individuals cannot stop the violence that comes from rage and hate, the actions of single individuals can cause others to stop in their tracks, to reflect, to think twice and then again.

Although I appreciate them because they come from a good place, I do not believe that “thoughts and prayers” make a difference; it is rather action that position everyday people as participants in the wider world. If one person makes the choice to do the right thing, that is one more right thing. And maybe one more leads to yet another. And maybe the realities of everyday people dawn a little brighter.

I am, as always, on the side of humanity, on the side of innocent people, on the side of what is, at the core of my being, right. Don’t we all learn to help elderly people cross the street? What I feel in my heart is the desire to wrap my arms around everyone, all of you, but I know that my circle of influence is far smaller than my circle of concern. So I stretch out my hands to those I can reach, and I hope that you, wherever you are, will join me.