The Curse of Genocide: A Reflection on Palestine, Humanity, and the Ego
Whatever anyone has to say—be it an accusation, a lament, or a curse—against the Zionist state of Israel, it has already been spoken. From the highest courts of justice to the poorest hovels on earth, from the bustling kopitiams of rural Malaysia to the elite academic halls of New York and London, the verdict is echoed: Israel stands accused of genocide against the people of Palestine.
And in this tragedy, the curse falls not only on the Palestinians, but also upon the Jews. Both are victims—one as the oppressed, the other as the bearer of the world’s rage, and in some interpretations, the executor of ancient prophecy. Today, in this so-called age of civilization, the world watches in stunned silence as the conflict escalates into a regional catastrophe, dragging neighboring nations into a vortex of madness—a cancerous affliction threatening all life in its path.
Is Israel the final clarion call for the demise of humanity, as some scriptures forewarned in the “end of days”? God's chosen people—chosen for what, exactly? The Qur'an, the last of the three great Abrahamic revelations, speaks clearly: the Jews betrayed the covenant with God and were thus cursed as a nation upon the earth. If one interprets religion through the lens of history and divine revelation, then what is happening in Gaza today is the dark flowering of a warning foretold—a chilling self-fulfilling prophecy.
Wallahu alam — only God knows.
“All in the hands of interpretation,” wrote Israeli scholar Israel Shrenzel in his treatise Radical Islam. And indeed, interpretation is the fire and fuel of this entire saga.
The Devil in the Details – The Human in the Mirror
I am not a religious scholar. I do not pretend to hold mastery over the complex and nuanced history of the Abrahamic faiths. But I do trust my eyes, my heart, and my conscience. And what I see unfolding is not merely geopolitical tension—it is the naked cruelty of man against man.
No ideology, no scripture, no flag or historical grievance can justify the murder of children, the starving of civilians, or the obliteration of entire communities. The sheer scale of suffering defies comprehension—and the justifications ring increasingly hollow.
As the Buddha, the Awakened One, declared:
“Man suffers from three illnesses—Greed, Hatred, and Delusion.”
As long as man remains enslaved by his ego, these poisons will define his fate.
There is no “good Jew” or “bad Jew,” no “pure Muslim” or “evil Christian.” There is only greed, hatred, and ignorance—wearing religious and cultural masks to justify acts of inhumanity. This is the worst kind of suffering: the suffering of the blind ego. And the only way to end this suffering is to transcend the ego—the “I”—that clings to division and control.
The dissolution of the ego need not be violent. It can begin with awareness—through Right Understanding, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, as laid out in the Noble Eightfold Path. It is the personal journey of awakening. Not political, not religious—but human.
The Thinking Mind and the Hollow Man
We humans were given the faculty of thought. It is this divine gift that elevates us above other creatures. Yet it is this very mind—when corrupted by ego—that drags us to our lowest state. When ruled by desire, pride, fear, and ignorance, the mind becomes a tool of destruction.
We justify cruelty in the name of security.
We declare war in the name of peace.
We conquer and consume in the name of prosperity.
And all the while, we forget our divine potential—the still voice within that calls for compassion, justice, and truth.
As the Malay proverb says:
“Jadilah seperti padi, makin berisi makin tunduk; jangan seperti lalang, kosong dan tegak penuh angkuh.”
(Be like the rice stalk—heavy with grain, it bows low; not like the empty shaft that stands tall in pride.)
Yes, the pen is mightier than the sword. But let us not forget—the thought is mightier than both. It only took a single thought to unleash the atom bomb. And today, those who dare to think critically, question authority, and challenge the “normal” are seen as dangerous, subversive, even heretical.
But it is only through courageous, conscious thought that we evolve. We are not here to parrot doctrines. We are here to discover truth. To serve not just our tribe or creed—but the whole of humanity.
Final Thoughts
Let this not be another rant lost in the ocean of online opinions. Let this be a mirror.
Look into it. Ask: What am I becoming? What role do I play in this unfolding story?
For the tragedy of Palestine is not merely “out there.” It is within us—every time we choose hatred over understanding, domination over empathy, ideology over humanity.
To end this suffering, we must begin where it all begins—with the self.
May there be Peace. May there be Justice. May there be Awakening.
Wallahu alam.
—The Cheeseburger Buddha
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