“We must be careful about the endless enumeration of casualty numbers. The dead and injured in Gaza are not anonymous. Behind the figures lie multiple individual destinies now torn apart. Too often in their lives have Gazan civilians been denied their dignity. Anonymity in death or injury is the ultimate denial… Palestinians are not statistics and we must never allow them to be treated as such. They are human beings like others in the world, with their identity and the same hopes and expectations for an improved future for their children.”

This reminder by UNRWA’s Pierre Krähenbühl on July 14 highlighted an important reality; behind the talk of “terrorists, self-defence, proportionality and security” are the lives (and deaths) of Palestinians (overwhelmingly) and Israelis (no less important for their limited number). Despite this, the current crisis in Gaza is, in the main, discussed in abstract terms often without context, potentially leading to a collective sleepwalking into an infinitely more threatening conflict.

What is especially disturbing in this futile and self-defeating conflict is the constant ‘dehumanisation’ of the ‘other side’. Through the use of its overwhelming military superiority and a disturbing PR campaign, the Israeli government has collectively punished those not responsible for (legitimate and illegitimate) grievances against Hamas, and that is a violation of the Geneva Conventions, and ostensibly a war crime.

The massively disproportionate killing of Gaza’s civilians is ‘justified’ by the military and political tactics of Hamas. The subtext is clear – Hamas (and those who support them) do not value life as much as Israelis do.

Without justification, the homes of Hamas members and others become legitimate targets along with shelters, market places and mosques regardless of civilian casualties as whole families are erased in seconds. Following ‘notification’ by text or by ‘small’ bomb, family homes and shelters become ‘legitimate’ targets. And, we have the horrific spectacle of not just the apparent indifference of the majority of Israelis to these actions but the actual celebration of them.

For its part Hamas mirrors the attitude and actions of the Israeli government and military; its rocket attacks constitute war crimes also because they do not distinguish between civilian and military targets. Placing weapons stocks in schools, homes and mosques also constitute war crimes; these cannot be justified by reference to the actions of Israel. Hamas has made it clear that the killing of Israelis is not only acceptable but also to be celebrated. The spectre of increasing anti-Semitic slogans and attacks across Europe should cause deep spinal shivers and remind everyone what is at stake here.

The striking contrast between the reactions of the ‘West’ to the horrific shooting down and killing of almost 300 passengers on the Malaysian Airlines plane on July 17 and the killing of 1,660 plus Palestinians could not be more disturbing. The former is an “outrage” that demands immediate response including sanctions, while the latter is “unacceptable” (“our allies in Israel need to do more”).

Not a whisper of sanctions against Israel. It is, at the very least, arguable that Israel’s behaviour in Gaza currently and over the past decade is worse than that of Russian insurgents in Eastern Ukraine.

The West continues to allow its ‘ally’ Israel to effectively abuse human rights and international humanitarian law with little more than finger wagging and thus continues to allow the collective punishment of Palestinians.

The lack of a meaningful response by western governments is not good enough by half, despite all the diplomatic bluster, and compounding this reality even more are the often cynical agendas and interests of neighbouring states.

We all individually and collectively must act. Otherwise, we too condone what is happening

The parallels with Europe in the late 1930s and early 1940s are deeply unsettling; political prevarication (to put it at its mildest), regional and military alliances and interests, cultural preferences (prejudices?) and dominant economic interests fuel an institutional paralysis.

In the face of state-sponsored killing on an extensive scale and in the absence of effective political leadership, we all individually and collectively must act.

Otherwise, we too condone what is happening and contribute further to “the lethal absence of hope” (especially for the besieged Palestinians who desperately need an alternative).

We need to insist that our political leaders do much, much more than currently (yes, write and write again to the PM, members of the Cabinet and relevant ambassadors – they need to be pressurised until we get a result).

We need to challenge Islamophobia and anti-Semitism; we need consider selective boycotts; we should support those in Israel and Palestine who are working for peace with human rights and we should oppose all who espouse violence.

Above all, we need to insist that war crimes are utterly unacceptable in all circumstances and insist also that the most basic principles of human rights and democracy apply to all.

If we set aside such principles or argue that they are ‘negotiable’ in the context of Gaza, then the consequences for all of us will be immense.

Colm Regan is an Irish educator working in Gozo who is involved with international human rights issues.