The recent turmoil in the Middle East has not altered my perspective on the broader Israel-Palestine issue. I have consistently opposed violence from both sides, criticizing Israeli settlements and the aggressive rhetoric from Netanyahu and the Likud, while also condemning Hamas and the simplistic views that suggest “Israel shouldn’t exist” or that the situation is uncomplicated.
However, this conflict has significantly shifted my stance on U.S. politics. I used to identify strongly with the left, but I’ve gravitated toward the center due to the overwhelming propaganda from the left regarding Palestine, which is often accepted without scrutiny. The sheer volume of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and confirmation biases from both the left and the right — though I anticipated the latter — has been astonishing.
It troubles me how easily people accept TikTok videos that align with their beliefs as truth, without any skepticism. As someone who has followed geopolitics closely, I recognize the complexities of Biden’s position in this conflict, making the shallow and misguided critiques stand out. This has prompted me to reevaluate much of the information I previously accepted without question. Now, I find myself questioning various statistics, videos, and graphics that I once took at face value. I realize I haven’t been as vigilant against my own confirmation biases as I believed. I now feel the need for substantial evidence to believe what I read. Additionally, I have become disillusioned after years of closely observing Israel.