“Apathy isn’t just a lack of care – it’s a failure of connection. It happens when people stop believing their voices matter, their efforts count, or that change is possible. Apathy is the silent enemy, replacing passion and engagement with indifference.” – Manu Sharma, The Silent Enemy
In 1948, the world took a bold step forward with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, promising dignity, freedom and equality for all. Yet, the same year marked the Nakba, the displacement of thousands of Palestinians during the creation of Israel.
This stark contradiction endures today. On one hand, the UDHR represents hope; on the other, despair persists as Palestinian suffering continues. Over 44,000 lives have been lost, including 17,000 children – not just numbers, but extinguished dreams and shattered families. These tragedies are a sobering reminder that the universal rights promised in 1948 remain far from universal.
We uphold the sanctity of children’s lives, yet when the child is Palestinian, those principles falter. While the world mourns children lost in Syria, Yemen, or Ukraine, Gaza’s 17,000 often remain faceless and nameless in the international narrative.
Similarly, global calls to protect women from violence fall silent when the victims are among the thousands killed in Gaza’s destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals.
Does the value of life depend on race or religion? History’s injustices — African slavery, India under colonial rule, Palestinians beaten and imprisoned — expose the selective application of human rights.
The cost of apathy
History shows the devastating price of indifference. From the Holocaust to the Rwandan genocide, atrocities were not only the acts of oppressors but also the result of global inaction. Gaza faces a similar fate today. Relentless bombardment has not only razed buildings but crushed hope.
Apathy enables injustice, perpetuating cycles of violence. The UDHR was meant to protect against oppression, but its promise only holds when applied to everyone, everywhere, without exception.
To honour the legacy of 1948, we must reject ‘selective morality’ and hold accountable those who perpetuate violence — and those who stand silent.
Above all, we must affirm the sanctity of every life, regardless of nationality, religion, or race.
The world cannot afford apathy any longer. Gaza’s children and its people deserve better.
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Meg Schwarz
Meg Schwarz holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and brings over 35 years of experience championing social justice, advocacy and consumer engagement. Based in South Australia, Meg has dedicated her career to working alongside diverse communities, including refugees, people with disabilities and individuals with complex trauma backgrounds.With a strong passion for equality and human rights, Meg specialises in fostering meaningful communication, empowering voices through advocacy and creating inclusive spaces for dialogue. Her skills in stakeholder engagement, strategic communication and community development have earned her recognition as a trusted and compassionate leader in her field.