Human nature is full of contradictions. It's often said that our capacity for empathy is greatest with those closest to us, and there's debate about whether this should be the case. But people can also cry out for the pain of others occurring in a distant place while simultaneously ignoring the injustices taking place at home. Recently, during the demonstrations in Karachi, Pakistan, this duality could be seen with the crowds expressing their solidarity with the Palestinian people. Yet, the very country that unites to defend Palestinian rights expels millions of Afghans seeking refuge after years of living in precarious conditions. This situation leads us to reflect, once again, on the selection of our empathy and how the contradictions in our actions can reveal our true nature.