Acknowledging Human Tragedy

Navigating emotional impact and seeking ways to support communities affected by the Israel-Gaza humanitarian crisis

In case you aren’t living under a rock or actively making a choice to stay away from the news, then you might not be aware of the terrorist attacks in Israel. Feel free to skip this newsletter if you are not in the mental space to read about it. I understand that you came here for ADHD-related writing, but my brain is yearning to talk about these events. 

It is beyond comprehensible to me to live in a world where you are sitting at home with your family one second, and then in the next being held hostage, dragged away from home, or slaughtered mercilessly. I mean, for those who survive, how do you recover from something like that? How do you find a safe space for yourself when your one true haven - your home - has been invaded and destroyed in mere seconds? 

I understand that this is a contentious topic, and as someone who is not a political expert and writing a political newsletter, talking about it is dicey, to say the least. I understand that nothing exists in a vacuum. I understand that there are things I do not know or understand. I understand that staying out of it is probably the “smart” choice here.

However, I am not talking about the politics of the two-state solution, the history of the Israeli people, the history of the Palestinian people, the history of Hamas, Netanyahu as a leader, or the plan to “destroy Hamas”. I know I am not educated enough in this field to do that.

I am, however, human enough to think about the real lives being destroyed and traumatized in this war. 

Photo by Sunguk Kim on Unsplash

I am thinking of the human suffering and the trauma experienced by the people in Israel and Jewish people worldwide. I am also thinking about what the people of Palestine are about to experience or are experiencing as we speak. The pain, fear, and loss experienced by individuals and communities in the midst of conflict is immeasurable.

To my friends who have been affected by these attacks, even if you are thousands of miles away from it, I see you. I apologize that my fear of saying something wrong and hurting you took precedence over my desire to check in with you. But I want you to know that I am thinking of you and your families. I am thinking of what you are going to need or want while you process everything. I want you to know that I am here to support you and your healing process. I am here to sit with you in the emotions you experience - and I’ll also give you all the space you need if that’s what you prefer instead.

This specific post has been challenging to write. To the point that I thought about skipping it entirely. I don’t want it to come across as a means to center myself. It is not, and I apologize if it does. I just couldn’t publish a business-as-usual post with thousands dead and many more injured on each side of the Israel-Gaza border. These are real people we are talking about. Gone. Lives lost in the blink of an eye. 

Here are journalists or influencers who are sharing their first-hand experience of the situation. And I encourage you to continue doing your own research. Listen to the stories from the experts themselves:

• JESSICA YELLIN’s latest newsletter provides a detailed account of the recent escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza. She outlines the events, the involved parties, international responses, and the complex historical and political backdrop while emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding amid the devastating humanitarian impact.

• Mor Radmy shares daily updates on Instagram. Her stories have some resources on how one can help people in the affected area.

If you know someone sharing sources of humanitarian aid or connecting with people on the ground, please feel free to comment below.