Is Peace Necessary for Freedom, Mr. Merz?
In the heart of Tehran, an Iranian doctor chose to stay at the hospital during the recent Israeli airstrikes, working tirelessly alongside just twelve other medical professionals. His decision was driven by a sense of exclusion from the co-creation of the sociopolitical reality, as he felt compelled to help the wounded despite the danger.
Meanwhile, in Spain, a different story unfolds. Matan Angrest, an Israeli soldier who left his military duties after the events of October 7, 2023, in Gaza, now calls Spain his home. His mental state was assessed as an acute danger to his unit due to his fear under war conditions, leading him to seek refuge in Spain after his release.
The concept of eutopia, derived from the Greek eu-topos meaning "good place", has gained renewed attention. Eutopian communication, a movement that addresses emotional landscapes shaped by crises, powerlessness, worry, and a feeling that the entire order is collapsing, seeks to create a space for hopeful and realistic debates. It encourages respect for emotions and aims to promote good politics and a better living world.
The term "utopia" is used today in two meanings: a project of a better world and a project of an impossible world. Utopian communication understands itself in a given context, including the coronavirus, the war in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip conflict, and a paradigm shift in political communication.
In Berlin, an Iranian dissident spoke frequently with her family in Tehran during the airstrikes, trying to convince them to leave the city for safety. However, her pleas fell on deaf ears.
The demand for eutopia aims to lift the stigma of "impossibility" from designs of good politics. Dreams, it seems, are a key prerequisite for the influence of citizens. Every euro spent on weapons instead of investing in peaceful, empathetic, and solidarity-based paths to conflict resolution is a step towards less freedom and more exclusion and suffering.
Recent years have seen Spain become a destination for Israeli immigrants who disagree with their government's policies. This trend is not unique, as many individuals seek refuge in new lands in search of a better life and a chance to redefine their political beliefs.
However, not all stories end in a new beginning. A young man, previously living in Israel, enlisted in the military after the events of October 7, 2023, and participated in fighting in Gaza. His experiences changed his mind, leading him to believe that the Israeli military actions were laying the foundation for another Holocaust.
In the face of conflict and uncertainty, the call for eutopia resonates strongly. Thinking about a good future should not be a reason for contempt. Eutopian communication encourages seeking connections in communication, with the goal of cultivating bonds among members of human communities. It is a call to action, a reminder that a better world is within our reach if we choose to strive for it.
In the midst of the reporting on the latest military episode of the conflict between Israel and Iran, it is easy to lose sight of the human cost. The spectacle of intercepted missiles, smoke clouds, fires, and futuristic aircraft can distract us from the real issues at hand. But the stories of the Iranian doctor, Matan Angrest, and the Iranian dissident in Berlin serve as a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and the pursuit of a better world.
