Will the Accidental Killing of 3 Israeli Hostages Make Us See that All Killings in Wars are Because of "Names"?
Beyond Names:
Unraveling the Root Causes of Accidental Killings in Wars
Introduction:
Amidst the tragedy of the accidental killing of three Israeli hostages—Yotam Haim, Samer Fuad El-Talalka, and Alon Shamriz—by IDF soldiers, there emerges an opportunity to delve into the profound truths of human existence. This article seeks to explore the underlying factors that contribute to such incidents and whether recognizing these factors can prevent future friendly-fire accidents and transform our approach to warfare.
1. The Essence of Universal Interdependence:
Our tendency to label and categorize all living beings, including ourselves, lies at the heart of countless conflicts and wars. The accidental killing by IDF soldiers underscores the consequences of projecting labels like “terrorists” without awareness. As the details of the unforgivable killings by the IDF soldiers unfold, we must recognize only two facts that were the true cause of this tragedy.
1.1 The IDF soldiers opened fire AFTER they thought these half-naked people were terrorists.
The key word here is AFTER. These half-naked people were not terrorists until after the IDF soldiers projected the label “terrorists” onto them, and believed it to be true. Their minds did this unconsciously within seconds. Human’s habit of labeling everything has existed for thousands or millions of years, and people still can’t realize it is the root of all humanity’s problems, especially the most obvious one—killings. Though there is nothing inherently wrong with labeling, not knowing how all people exist (1), and our blind belief in labels as facts about anybody (2), can lead to unnecessary death.
Examining the two key points behind the tragedy reveals that individuals are not inherently different until labels are imposed upon them. Understanding the identical nature of every human being, both physically and mentally, can dismantle the illusions created by divisive names.
(1) How do people exist? Recognizing the identical composition of our bodies and minds reveals a fundamental truth—we are not independent, unique selves but manifestations of the same universal elements present in every living being. Acknowledging this shared essence diminishes the perceived differences that fuel conflict.
(2) How is our blind faith in labels harmful? The danger lies in our unquestioning belief in labels. Without names, every human body and mind are identical. The act of projection, whether “Israeli,” “Palestinian,” “friend,” or “terrorist,” distorts this truth and perpetuates conflict. All killings are done in the name of the labels we create and believe in.
2. Fear, Ignorance, and the Cycle of Conflict:
The second point highlights the impact of fear, a potent emotion rooted in our ignorance of the true reality—the interconnected oneness of all beings. Fear, a product of fictional distinctions, drives conflicts that are ultimately self-inflicted. By remaining unaware of our shared origin and interconnected existence, we perpetuate a cycle of violence against ourselves.
The accidental killing of three Israeli hostages serves as a poignant reminder that all killings in wars stem from the power we invest in names and labels. The opportunity lies in recognizing the universal interdependence of humanity, transcending divisive beliefs, and understanding the oneness that unites us all. Will this tragedy prompt a collective awakening to the destructive nature of names, or will ignorance persist, perpetuating endless wars and self-inflicted suffering? Will the accidental killing of 3 Israeli hostages make us see that all killings in wars are because of "names"? or are we going to remain ignorant and keep killing ourselves believing we are killing our enemies? The choice is ours to make, and the consequences are profound.
Big thanks to the editor Alexandra Sullivan.