What They’re Selling Us in the Name of “Empathy” – and Why Only Other People’s Tears Make the News
because even morality deserves a sexy headline
Why is every child in Gaza “shaken,” while every child in Sderot is “collateral damage”?
Once upon a time, empathy was a lovely word.
A way to say: I see you, I hear you, and I won’t send you to the corner.
But in its modern, weaponized version – empathy has become a selective moral tool.
A currency used to buy guilt from one side, and virtue from the other.
What are they selling us?
That we should “be sensitive to both sides.”
That “everyone hurts.”
That “we’re all human beings first.”
And of course – that we must “never lose our humanity.”
Sounds great, doesn’t it? Almost like a glowing billboard on the way to Hilltop C.
But in practice, empathy today comes with an asterisk:
It applies fully to one side – and turns into accountability when it comes to the other.
Israeli victim:
“Complex circumstances.”
“Tensions are rising.”
“The IDF is investigating.”
“The child was reportedly near the scene of the gunfire.”
Photo: a road, a car, a sweaty policeman wiping his forehead.
Palestinian victim:
“Massacre.”
“Innocent child.”
“Soldier opened fire indiscriminately.”
“Entire family wiped out.”
Photo: baby, flag, screaming mother.
Soundtrack: tragic violin.
Want to know who gets empathy? Just ask:
Is he a citizen of a Jewish state? – Hold on a second.
Is he a Hamas supporter with a blue checkmark? – Five full minutes at the top of the evening news.
Is he a baby from Netivot? – Maybe a short mention, unless Bar Refaeli is trending.
Is he a 17-year-old from Jenin holding a rifle? – “Palestinian minor killed in tragic incident.”
Welcome to the newsroom, where tears are measured by identity.
While sirens blare in Sderot, the studio hosts a child psychologist from Gaza.
When an Israeli mother cries, the anchor asks:
“But do you also understand the pain on the other side?”
Because apparently, if you don’t cry for Gaza too – your tears don’t count.
So what is empathy in the postmodern world?
It’s not universal – it’s political.
It’s not emotion – it’s strategy.
It’s not compassion – it’s control.
A way to make you feel morally guilty, even when someone just tried to kill you.
And of course – the double standard never fails:
| Situation | Global Reaction |
|---|---|
| Jew beaten in Paris | “Isolated incident.” |
| Palestinian arrested for terror | “Human rights violation.” |
| Israeli girl survives attack | “Lucky she got out alive.” |
| Palestinian boy charges soldier | “Heartbreaking tragedy.” |
So what do we do?
We stop buying selective tears.
We remember: those who aren’t empathetic toward your pain – aren’t empathetic at all.
We ask: if your empathy demands that I commit moral suicide – maybe it’s not a virtue, but a manipulation.
And finally, a golden rule:
If your empathy always points outward, maybe it’s not about an open heart –
but about closed borders, drawn only on your side.
הירשמו כדי לקבל את הפוסטים האחרונים אל המייל שלכם
