As Leonardo Da Vinci carefully drew the Last Supper, he looked for a face to represent Jesus – kind, angelic. Destiny guided him to a man whose face embodied such innocence. Years later, when searching for a model for Judas, he came across another face, marked by guilt and malice. Surprisingly, it was the same person who had posed for Jesus a few years earlier! Time had transformed him from an angel to a villain. Today, dear readers, as I celebrate my 40th birthday, I’m asking you to forgive this old man’s ramblings, diverging from science to explore how time changes people and ideas.
Let’s explore a different page in history – the siege of Masada during the Roman Empire in the year 74.
Imagine a community, the Jews, facing a dire situation, enclosed in their mountain fortress with supplies running out, surrounded by 10,000 Roman soldiers. Fast forward to the present, and as time progressed, those once oppressed found themselves in positions of power. In today’s world, the Israeli army surrounds Gaza. For 150 days, the people of Gaza endure a blockade, lacking essentials like food, water, gas, electricity, medicine, and even baby formula.
The transformation of Israel stands in stark contrast with its past. Yesterday’s victim becomes today’s aggressor, revealing a shift from moral principles to a pursuit of power. The siege they once endured at the hands of the Roman Empire is now imposed on innocent people who bear no responsibility for the catastrophes they suffered.
Now, let’s reflect on a darker chapter – the Holocaust. The Jews, victims of Hitler’s atrocities, endured unimaginable suffering. Yet, as time evolved, those who were once oppressed found themselves in a position of power. Did they prove they are better than Hitler? Sadly, history took a heartbreaking turn, as the oppressors adopted the tactics of their tormentors. Cutting off essential supplies, shooting those desperate to feed their families – a grim mirror reflecting a troubling passage of time.
“Time, what do you know about time?”
They say time heals all wounds, but I’m beginning to wonder if it simply transfers those wounds from one group to another.
Let’s all keep this in mind: being a victim of past crimes doesn’t excuse committing crimes in the future. Your history of victimisation will never justify your present actions. We will never forget, you can count on that.
The author is a postdoctoral researcher at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
(ammar.shakr@gmail.com)