We grieve the children and women, as we should. But we must also grieve the men — all of them. Because the world acts like they are disposable. As if Palestinian manhood is a crime. It’s not.
I find myself emphasizing the suffering and death of women and children also, but it’s only because I hope it will make people care. Palestinian men are some of the best!
This has bothered me all along! I've made male friends I never would have because they reach out to provide for their families and they beg for food their families. I cannot imagine a stronger man than one that sacrifices ALL for his family. They are just trying to live and keep others alive with them!
Grief is all encompassing, like a heavy cloak that does nothing to warm the soul. I was reminded today of a statement by W.H. Auden, British-American poet, 1907-1973 that clearly states my belief.... "We are all here on Earth to help others; what on Earth the others are here for, I don't know". That's my story and I'm sticking by it. Best wishes to All !!!
Thank you so much for this Shawn. What you are saying is so true and so in need of saying. I've been surprised that this seems to not even be called out in most of the substacks I admire (with exceptions) - almost ever. And how Hamas = terrorists has been repeated so often, it is simply, thoughtlessly accepted by the mainstream and all the Americans I know. But even by international law, an occupied group under attack by the occupier have every right to defend themselves, indeed the responsibility to do so, as anyone threatened or under attack has the right, by law and by nature, to defend themselves and those they love. These are incredibly brave men willing to martyr themselves out of love for their people.
And it is worth adding that every man, whether a fighter, father and/or civilian is the child of some Palestinian mother and father who loves and is proud of them and will deeply grieve them, some only 18, 19, 20 years old, barely out of childhood themselves! We in the West are purposefully taught to draw these unnatural lines that shut down are hearts, our empathy and our humanity about those lives that are valuable and those that are not.
I would love to see the ideas you've articulated spread far and wide.
As Palestinians and Israelis who have chosen to walk the path of nonviolence - even in a time of war - we call on all people of conscience, within our societies and beyond them, to speak out. To act. To refuse complicity, and to reject the lies that tell us there is no other way.
Call on Pope Leo XIV to do whatever it takes to save Gaza and stop the bombing, and end the starvation. Let him go to Gaza and stand with the suffering people who are being massacred by Israel and the Western posers. He can go to Gaza right now, and insist aid be allowed in.
Is there anything more important in today's world than this?
We humans rush to judgment so fast at times, I think we don't even realize it. We are a frightened species. If we can acknowledge this, I think we can make a space inside to calm the harsh words and build some compassion and courage. At least, some of us may have that luxury. The men of Gaza and elsewhere have had little choice. I do not think I would be so brave. They must not be rendered invisible.
The men of Gaza are not only heroes, they are humans. They matter.
That’s right
I grieve for the men women and children equally
Thank you
I find myself emphasizing the suffering and death of women and children also, but it’s only because I hope it will make people care. Palestinian men are some of the best!
I do the same thing. I just want us to explore what it does when we do this.
I agree completely! Thank you for writing this!
The gap of filling a man's presence in a child's life is to stand next to the Prophet in Jannatul Firdows. That is his weight.
Wow.
Thank you for sharing this. It forced me to think about something I hadn't considered.
Much love to the men, women and children suffering in Gaza.
This has bothered me all along! I've made male friends I never would have because they reach out to provide for their families and they beg for food their families. I cannot imagine a stronger man than one that sacrifices ALL for his family. They are just trying to live and keep others alive with them!
From what I've seen, the men of Gaza are some of the most brave, compassionate, noble men in the world.
🙏thank you Shaun for this timely reminder of the Men of Gaza and I join you in prayer …
“We see you. We remember you.
And we will not let your deaths be framed as necessary.” 🙏
That's BEAUTIFUL. I repeated your prayer. NO death is necessary; young, old, male, or female.
Grief is all encompassing, like a heavy cloak that does nothing to warm the soul. I was reminded today of a statement by W.H. Auden, British-American poet, 1907-1973 that clearly states my belief.... "We are all here on Earth to help others; what on Earth the others are here for, I don't know". That's my story and I'm sticking by it. Best wishes to All !!!
Thank you so much for this Shawn. What you are saying is so true and so in need of saying. I've been surprised that this seems to not even be called out in most of the substacks I admire (with exceptions) - almost ever. And how Hamas = terrorists has been repeated so often, it is simply, thoughtlessly accepted by the mainstream and all the Americans I know. But even by international law, an occupied group under attack by the occupier have every right to defend themselves, indeed the responsibility to do so, as anyone threatened or under attack has the right, by law and by nature, to defend themselves and those they love. These are incredibly brave men willing to martyr themselves out of love for their people.
And it is worth adding that every man, whether a fighter, father and/or civilian is the child of some Palestinian mother and father who loves and is proud of them and will deeply grieve them, some only 18, 19, 20 years old, barely out of childhood themselves! We in the West are purposefully taught to draw these unnatural lines that shut down are hearts, our empathy and our humanity about those lives that are valuable and those that are not.
I would love to see the ideas you've articulated spread far and wide.
You are very right in what you say about the men, who are equally deserving of life.
As Palestinians and Israelis who have chosen to walk the path of nonviolence - even in a time of war - we call on all people of conscience, within our societies and beyond them, to speak out. To act. To refuse complicity, and to reject the lies that tell us there is no other way.
In solidarity and hope,
Combatants for Peace
Please support them, if you can.
https://secure.everyaction.com/26HDytmld0yga5moZgt6OQ2?am=20&amtOpts=&recurringAm=20&recurringAmtOpts=&is_optimized_ask=true&contactdata=fLFNBxaqp60caO2Mc5rLJr799lFP6A2Xt9IGHBWlbzi7Pdr+2T04u+DsjZY6t2EVRB4kDY39dWlKhd4H6HkjZspe6cVE56ln8VEBkBe5y6c%3d&emci=8e730776-9d6c-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&emdi=00d1bae6-a26c-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&ceid=13999075
Your money matters
Join the world wide boycott of Israeli products, and those supplying the weapons used on Palestinians.
https://www.bdsmovement.net
Here is a powerful flyer we can download, print and handout. From Sam Husseini:
https://papersproject.com/2025/07/24/israel-is-starving-children-to-death/
People need to see this.
Call on Pope Leo XIV to do whatever it takes to save Gaza and stop the bombing, and end the starvation. Let him go to Gaza and stand with the suffering people who are being massacred by Israel and the Western posers. He can go to Gaza right now, and insist aid be allowed in.
Is there anything more important in today's world than this?
https://chng.it/gkvBfY44rq
Please sign the petition and share widely.
We humans rush to judgment so fast at times, I think we don't even realize it. We are a frightened species. If we can acknowledge this, I think we can make a space inside to calm the harsh words and build some compassion and courage. At least, some of us may have that luxury. The men of Gaza and elsewhere have had little choice. I do not think I would be so brave. They must not be rendered invisible.