Socialite Jemima Goldsmith, a UK-based Jew from a prominent family, has been appalled at Israel’s attack on innocent people. In recent posts on X, she compliments American Jews demonstrating at The White House demanding a ceasefire. “This is humanity and hope,” she writes.

In the next post on X, she says, “The bravest & hardest thing is to stand outside your tribe in the interests of justice, even if it makes you an outcast. Political tribalism is the enemy of justice & peace.”

It’s a consolation to have her around when we are at a loss for words to describe how we feel. Among the friends and community on social media, RJ artist Sayma, whose X account status reads “Zindagi ka ek tukda tum laao, ek main laati hu (You bring a piece from life, I bring the other)”, has been feeling hurt at how people are taking a partisan stand in this grave crisis for humanity.

She says, “It’s difficult to be on @X these days. Pictures and videos coming from #IsraelPalestineConflict are devastating. And hateful and terror-promoting posts from people of my own country is triggering and disappointing, to say the least. How do they live with so much hate in their hearts!”

Girls education rights activist and 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai posted a video message on X. “I’m horrified to see the bombing of al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza and unequivocally condemn it. I urge the Israeli government to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and reiterate the call for a ceasefire. I am directing $300K to three charities helping Palestinian people under attack.”

She appeals to world leaders to ensure an immediate ceasefire and for people to come forward and donate for those suffering in the war zones.

Famous musician and sitar player Anoushka Shankar , who has been on a month-long tour of North America with a gruelling schedule, often commented about the hard life of a performing artist. In the latest message on Facebook, she shares her grief at the ongoing war. A piece of her music accompanies the message. In the dark background, it’s piercing.

She says, “I won’t lie, it’s been kind of hard keeping spirits up and focusing on touring and doing shows this week. But in the middle of so much global suffering, this is where we are and what we’re committed to doing, and I have to believe that spreading love and light matters. We’ve been playing songs of hope and connection, and while my heart is broken for those who are suffering, I’m trying to keep that shred of hope alive.”

When you are down, it’s the company you keep makes how you feel. Thanks to brave media persons reporting from the frontline and orators, writers, artists, and social workers who are using their position to articulate the suffering of humanity, we are pulling through.

For the Palestinians and the rest of the world, it must be a lesson that we should never allow terrorists to speak for us. The success achieved with questionable means is not a success, the great Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi maintained throughout his decades-long fight against the colonial powers.

It’s essential to see who is championing our cause. If the group doesn’t have a clean conscience, their help must be turned down.

In Hamas’s attack, the world has seen they don’t deserve to be on the side of the Palestinians. They have done a great disservice to the Palestinian cause.

Israel’s offensive against Palestine underscores we’ve not invested enough in peace. When we invest in weapons and military intelligence, we’re promoting war. We need to invest in peace — in education, building schools, colleges, laboratories, religious places, cleaning the planet and repairing the damage we have done to climate and ecology.

We need Jemima, Sayema, Malala, and Anoushka to show the way with love and light. (IPA Service)