A Glimmer In The Rubble: When Conscience Speaks In War
Saleem Raza
Bradford, UK: In a world filled with nationalism, war, and political games, one honest act can say more than a thousand speeches.
Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier recently freed from captivity in Gaza, did something unexpected. He refused to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was a quiet decision, but one that spoke loudly. Whether it came from personal pain, political awareness, or something deeper, it was a clear break from what’s expected of returning soldiers.
Alexander’s choice showed that not everyone comes home ready to follow the official story. His silence was powerful. It cracked the surface of a carefully built national image, showing that even in the military, some begin to question the purpose of war. One person online said it best: “It gives me a tiny glimmer of hope.”
Wars don’t just end with signed peace deals. They begin to end when people especially those sent to fight start asking why they were sent in the first place. I am not purporting dissent but a reflection on status quo and accepted norms.
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This small moment is part of something bigger. In South Asia, tensions between India and Pakistan are cooling after weeks of military threats and violence. It feels like both countries are finally stepping back from the edge.
But behind these political moves, something deeper is happening. People are tired. Tired of war, of fear, of leaders using nationalism to stay in power. In Israel, many are protesting against Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza conflict. In India and Pakistan, citizens are questioning what constant military threats really achieve when their economies and societies suffer.
These are signs of a deeper shift , a search for truth and humanity in the middle of conflict.
The online reaction to Alexander’s decision shows that small acts matter. A simple refusal. A quiet protest. In these moments, hope finds its way in not with fanfare, but with courage.
Gaza is still under attack. People are still dying. But even now, in the darkest moments, we see flickers of conscience. These moments don’t end wars overnight, but they challenge the loud, angry voices that tell us war is the only way.
In today’s world, where dissent is often called disloyalty, acts of conscience remind us that true democracy starts with the courage to say “no.”
South Asia and the Middle East have seen too much war. What we need now isn’t more weapons or speeches but moral imagination. People choosing peace. Citizens questioning what they are told to be the right behaviour , the right response.
Saying “no” quietly may be harder than picking up a weapon. But it’s the first step toward a better future. If Alexander, returning from war, can find the strength to break from the script, maybe others can too. Real peace starts not with handshakes between leaders, but with individuals brave enough to think differently.
The recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India is welcome. But it should never have gotten this far. Pakistan has shown restraint and wisdom. As a Pakistani living abroad, I’m hopeful. But peace won’t be real until Kashmiris are given their right to their land.
Let this be the beginning, not just of silence after war, but of a louder call for justice, truth, and lasting peace.
All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer.
The author, a Pakistan-born creative based in Bradford, UK, is a versatile talent celebrated as a designer, artist, and poet. They hold a postgraduate degree in fashion design from London, showcasing their expertise in both artistic and academic pursuits.
