IN today’s world, the air feels thick with suffocation. Amidst our daily and mundane routine, we’re acutely aware of the anguish engulfing many in Gaza- it’s been four and a half months and there is no ceasefire in sight. The weight of witnessing evil reign unchecked is crushing—there’s no denying history’s darkest moments are unfolding before our eyes and we are powerless to intervene. A restless agony grips many as Israel’s onslaught persists. Reuters reports over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed and Netanyahu’s relentless pursuit of ethnic cleansing remains unchecked. Despite global outcry, protests and pleas for a ceasefire, the beast of violence continues his diabolical ways of wiping out an entire nation.
In a disturbing comparison, Netanyahu’s behaviour mirrors that of another infamous figure tied to one of history’s most significant genocides. Like Hitler, he exhibits determination and unwavering resolve, reminiscent of the dictator’s ruthless extermination of over six million Jews. The horrifying massacre came back to me on my recent viewing of the Netflix docudrama ‘Einstein and the Bomb.’ The film shed light on the moral quandary faced by the renowned physicist—a pivotal moment in history as he grappled with his involvement in America’s creation of the atomic bomb.
The narration delves into a pivotal moment on August 2, 1939, just before the onset of World War II, when Einstein penned a crucial letter to US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This letter, a mere two pages long, would catalyze the United States’ entry into the nuclear arms race, altering the course of history. Einstein’s urgency stemmed from the revelation that German scientists had unlocked nuclear fission—the process of splitting an atom’s nucleus to unleash tremendous energy. His letter cautioned Roosevelt about the potential creation of “extremely powerful bombs of a new type” in light of this discovery. Despite his initial push for accelerated uranium research in the US, Einstein would later ruefully label the letter as his “one great mistake.”
While Einstein didn’t directly participate in the infamous ‘The Manhattan Project,’ his profound influence undeniably changed the course of history. The film’s gripping narrative unveils lines that provoke deep reflection, highlighting the delicate balance of power and its responsible use, even in humanitarian contexts. In one of the scenes, Einstein, while confiding with friends, reveals his anguish over Hitler’s atrocities and the world’s seemingly passive response. Despite his radical pacifism, Einstein recognized the necessity of organized force to counter evil forces as he said “Organized force can be opposed by organized force.” His acknowledgment of pushing for nuclear power to combat Hitler’s malevolence underscores the grim reality of confronting tyranny.
Nearly 79 years later, we face another tragic humanitarian crisis orchestrated by a ruthless leader, obliterating an entire nation. It’s painfully evident that Netanyahu, like Hitler, responds only to the language of ‘force.’ Diplomatic appeals have failed, leaving the prospect of breaking his hardened resolve through a united show of military might, and if not by all, but at least spearheaded by Muslim states, as being the most viable option. Surely that would have made a difference, and served as a clear warning — the amalgamation of united forces with the potential for catastrophic consequences if his war crimes remained unchecked, the Israeli President would have been forced to reconsider his ways.
However, the lukewarm response from the so-called Muslim Brotherhood stands out as the most significant disappointment in this crisis. The recent self-immolation of a US serviceman who said he did not want to be complicit in the genocide is the standing of a martyr. While his incredibly shocking stance is heartbreaking, it defines helplessness with a resolute to not just ideally by. Einstein did the same. He spoke of not being complicit as the horror unfurled and even when later he spoke in regret, “Had I known the Germans would not succeed in producing an atomic bomb, I would not have taken part in opening that Pandora’s box,” the influential scientist took a stand for humanity, even if it mean tugging onto strings of nuclear devastation.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
Email: [email protected]
views expressed are writer’s own.
