EDITOR'S CORNER: Why Do You Support Gaza?

Today, I want to share a perspective that may be unpopular, but I believe it’s worth voicing. I live in Finland, in northern Europe—a country with an active movement for Gaza and, at the same time, a long border with Russia. How are these two realities connected?

What I find striking is this: why are so many young people—mostly liberals—mobilizing so passionately for Gaza, while the war in Ukraine has all but disappeared from public discussion? Gaza is tragic, yes, but it does not threaten us directly. Ukraine, by contrast, is right on our doorstep. So why does one inspire constant protests and the other barely registers anymore?

 

 

COMPARING THE TWO CONFLICTS 

Firstly, let’s look at how the two wars are unfolding. The war in Ukraine began in 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion after years of mounting tension and earlier conflict in Crimea and Donbas. What initially shocked Europe—and drew overwhelming global support—has since ground into a slow, exhausting war of attrition. Ukraine continues to resist, but the frontlines shift little, and both sides are worn down. For much of the world, the conflict no longer dominates headlines the way it once did, even though it remains just as dangerous and unresolved. It has also become entangled in geopolitics, turning into a pawn between Russia, the U.S., and the West. The focus now often falls on Trump, Putin, Zelenskyy, and European leaders maneuvering for influence, rather than on the daily horrors playing out on the battlefield.

The war in Gaza, by contrast, erupted suddenly and violently. The October 2023 Hamas attacks and the capture of Israeli hostages initially drew global outrage and support for Israel. But as Israel’s military response escalated, what was once viewed as a necessity has increasingly been seen as disproportionate. Like Ukraine in its early days, the suffering in Gaza is unfolding in real time on social media, with powerful images and narratives spreading instantly. This visibility has kept the conflict at the forefront of global consciousness, especially among young people. Yet, much like Ukraine, it has reached a point where the human cost is staggering, and any political resolution feels painfully out of reach.

WHY WE CARE DIFFERENTLY

Now let’s talk about the emotional responses—once similar, but now very different. On social media, we are confronted daily with images of Gaza: flattened neighborhoods, starving children, hospitals running without supplies. With Israel restricting the entry of food and aid, resources in many parts of Gaza have all but run out. Children undergo surgeries without anesthesia, and others die from preventable injuries or treatable diseases because medicine simply isn’t there. For many, Gaza feels like a clear moral cause—the injustice is raw, visible, and heartbreaking in ways that demand a reaction. Social media amplifies this, creating a constant sense of urgency and moral duty that pulls people into action.

Ukraine, by contrast, stirs a different kind of emotion—one that has proven harder to sustain over time. In the beginning, there was shock, fear, and a powerful sense of solidarity with Ukrainians fighting for their freedom. But as the war dragged on and the destruction grew, the narrative shifted. The focus moved away from individual stories of suffering—families torn apart, civilians tortured or living under brutal occupation—toward broader, almost abstract images of trenches, bombed-out cities, and slow-moving frontlines. Civilian deaths became statistics, tallied by drone and missile strikes, rather than personal tragedies. We rarely speak anymore about those still trapped in occupied towns, being hunted, tortured, denied medical care, or forced to fight against their own people.

 

CAN WE COMPARE THE SUFFERING

I’m not trying to weigh the suffering of one group against the other—both are tragic, and both involve real human pain, from hunger and injury to loss of life. But it’s important to understand the different origins of these wars.

The conflict in Gaza began with deliberate, violent actions by Hamas, the organization that governs the territory. They kidnapped, raped, and continue to torture and kill Israeli hostages. Much of the suffering in Gaza today is a direct consequence of these actions, creating a cycle of violence that has engulfed the region.

Ukraine’s tragedy, by contrast, stems from an unprovoked, illegal invasion by Russia. Daily, bombs fall indiscriminately on civilians and soldiers alike. Ukrainians never asked for war, never sought to live under Russian domination—they simply wanted peace, the freedom to determine their own destiny, and the ability to build a democratic future, including closer ties to the European Union and NATO. The contrast is stark: one war is born of aggressive terror and the other of imperial conquest, yet in both cases, ordinary people bear the unbearable human cost.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR EUROPE?

The impact of these wars on Europe could not be more different. The war in Ukraine has a direct effect on European security and daily life. Its proximity to Europe’s borders brings the real threat of escalation, energy shortages, economic disruption, and the need for military preparedness. European governments and citizens alike feel the consequences in their security policies, budgets, and even in everyday routines. 

The war in Gaza, by contrast, is geographically distant and does not threaten Europe’s safety directly. Its main impact on the continent is the humanitarian side: a potential refugee crisis and the moral and political pressure to respond to the suffering abroad. While Ukraine challenges Europe’s security and stability, Gaza tests Europe’s compassion and capacity for humanitarian action.

 

WHY UKRAINE MATTERS MORE

My point is that while I understand why people are protesting for Gaza, I believe it’s far more urgent to focus on what’s happening in Ukraine. The immediate and devastating consequences of the war in Ukraine for Europe—and for our way of life—are far greater than those of the conflict in Gaza.

Young people who are fervently protesting for Gaza, painting “Free Palestine!” on every street corner, should pause and consider how they would react if Russia’s bombs were falling on their own cities. Many in Europe, especially the youth, are losing sight of the immense danger we currently face. The war in Ukraine is imperialistic: Putin’s ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders, and the consequences for European security, stability, and freedom could be catastrophic if left unchecked.

Of course, people should protest for any cause they feel passionate about—it’s a fundamental democratic right we enjoy in Europe. But I believe the protests for Gaza are becoming exaggerated, often at the expense of pressing issues that will affect us far more directly in the future. And this concern isn’t limited to Europe.

Countries like Australia and the United States will also face the consequences of Russia’s imperial ambitions, as powers such as Iran and China may be emboldened to challenge the West. If many Arab countries are not as intensely engaged with Gaza as Europeans are, why are we so fervent about this conflict? Shouldn’t we be focusing more on the situation in our own “backyard”—the war in Ukraine—that directly threatens our freedoms, security, and democratic values?

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, both the wars in Gaza and Ukraine are tragedies, but their impact on Europe is very different. Gaza evokes immediate emotional outrage, while Ukraine poses a direct threat to our security, stability, and way of life. Solidarity with Gaza is valid, but we cannot lose sight of the urgent danger on our doorstep. Europe’s future, freedom, and safety depend on focusing on the conflicts that truly affect us.