So it’s that time again. When religious factions spew hate speeches – long and venomous. It’s that time again when pale dead bodies, disheveled mothers and blood-soaked faces flood our Facebook and Twitter pages. It’s that time again when accusations are raised and fingers are pointed.  It’s that time again when questions like ‘Who started what?’,  ‘Who killed who?’ spur to mind. It’s that time again when people take sides – the proverbial East vs. West tussle takes center stage. It’s that time again when conspiracy theories hatch from their foreboding shells. It’s that time again when a horrible nightmare comes back to haunt.

War. It’s time for war. But that’s the thing. War never really goes away. It only steps back because of superficial peace treaties, or super powers manipulating both sides to surrender. Either way, war is like cancer. It keeps coming back. Palestine and Israel. An all too familiar conflict that now tiptoes on the thin rope of indifference and hopelessness.

Whether we take sides or not. Whether we stand up against all that is wrong or we stand on the outskirts with casual apathy. Whether we hit ‘like’ on heart wrenching posters on Facebook asking us to pray for victims of war or we ‘hide’ all notifications. Whether we know the intricate details of the form of weapons deployed or have more pressing matters to worry about. Whether we turn to religion to justify everything, or we hold super powers and lobbies responsible.  It does not change that civilians are dying on both sides. Sure one is always the proverbial oppressor and the other, the helplessly persecuted. Yet the misery, the fear and battle to survive is a common thread that binds both sides. Innocent. People. Die. Period. The death toll is higher on one side and lower on the other. But does that make a child’s pain less important, if he belongs to a side you are not supporting? Will you get extra points for crying over a mother’s loss if the political inclinations suit your objective? Or will you lose respect if you show sympathy for the opposing side? It’s a game of numbers where death remains grounded, with its head held high. This does not need any deep psychological incision into the mind. It doesn’t get any simpler. Or bloodier. It’s war.

As I scour the internet, I see a deluge of articles and posts all chewing over the same problem like an old man trying to eat without teeth. International news websites, famous analysts, politicians, leaders, religious bodies, human rights organizations – all trying to give their two cents in the situation. They are all pretty good at it too. Considering a track record of decades and decades. An over repetition of facts that does not help the situation. It only spreads venom further and deeper into our hearts. And isn’t hate the flicker of fire that turns entire countries to ashes? Feelings of rage for another being. It starts that small. Then it simmers and it boils and finally, it reaches a point where the entire country is spitting fire. Over territory. Over money. Over power. Juggle which ever side of the die, this is all you get. Religion is usually the easiest scapegoat in all of this. It’s never about the religion. The intent is always much shallower. More callous. The undying desire for power. Man’s infatuation with pride. The most deadliest of the sins.

Indifference is not the solution. But nor is an emotional outbreak. We all know what’s right or wrong. We aren’t two-year olds who have to be taught the difference. But someone needs to go beyond that. Someone has to see things through from a reasonable point of view. Someone has to end this misery. I don’t have the solution. And I also have my opinions. People I blame. People who in my opinion, need to pay for humanity’s blood. I also feel angry and emotional when I see or read about brutal deaths. I will sympathize with the fallen and pray for them. I will not condone death of civilians, which ever side it may be. But I will not spread venom.  People have done it for years. And I know that propagating hate is not the answer. I don’t expect victimized families of war to feel anything but vengeance. And its their right. They have gone through hell more times than humanly perceivable. But the rest of the world can at least see past this fog. Until the respective parties decide to come to a common ground that is free from hate everything is doomed. They don’t have to like each other, but they can at least tolerate one another. Tolerance and patience are one of the highest of virtues for a reason. Coming to a permanent peaceful setting is in the interest of both countries involved. Though the oppressors are always under an illusion that war benefits. Inside,  it only wreaks havoc like infinite cancerous cells lying dormant, waiting to strike when it’s time.

Like Plato said, ““Only the dead have seen the end of war.”  Unfortunately, it seems that the countries waging such wars think so too.