Last Awe of Sentries, 7th of the Dog Days, 526 M.E. (Deneb): "We don't torture, we're a civilized nation" - The Au Pairs. 

We now have photographic evidence that Israel is torturing Palestinian prisoners. You've probably already seen the picture in the news. It's revolting and I won't link to it or copy it here: a man, face down on a cot, stripped to his boxer shorts, blindfolded, and a metal rod tied along the length of his body, from the base of his neck down to his right heel. 

More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, with over 173,000 more injured. Several thousand are missing, presumed dead beneath the rubble. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, over 1,000 Palestinians have also been killed during the same period.

Sympathy for Palestinian men, women and children, and horror at the sheer scale of the killing isn't antisemitism. It's called being an empathic human being. Israel has a right to exist and has a right to defend itself, but this isn't that. This is genocide, no matter how vigorously they deny it and (some) U.S. politicians don't want to hear it.

Out of concern and respect for Israeli lives, the killing and torture has to stop. Violence only begets more violence, hate only generates more hate. Do Israelis really believe there will be no reprisals for their horrific actions? If only there were some book or reference to provide Israel with moral guidance . . . 

This issue has been talked to death over the last several years. It's been the subject of editorials, op-eds, op-op-eds, panel discussions, and social media frenzy. I have nothing to add to the conversation that hasn't already been said, but in light of the recent torture evidence, I cannot be silent. 

Stop the war. Stop the killing. Stop the hate. Just stop it!