Behind the Gaza Genocide
The ongoing destruction in Gaza is the result of over a century of colonialism, rooted in policies that have systematically oppressed and erased the Palestinian people.
What is happening in Gaza today is not a random or isolated tragedy. It is the direct outcome of over a century of settler-colonial ideology that began with the rise of Zionism. This ideology, underpinned by European colonial powers, sought to create a Jewish state in Palestine, disregarding the indigenous Arab population in the process.
To understand the carnage in Gaza today, we need to look back at the history of Zionism, which has always been more than just a movement for Jewish safety. From its origins in the late 19th century, Zionism was a colonization project that viewed Palestinians as obstacles to be removed or controlled. From the first waves of settlers to the violent establishment of Israel in 1948, Palestinians were subjected to forced displacement, erasure, and violent repression.
The Nakba of 1948—where over 700,000 Palestinians were either expelled or fled their homes—was the beginning of mass displacement. Yet, even after Israel's creation, the violence never stopped. Gaza has become a symbol of the continuous oppression Palestinians face. Bombed, blockaded, and denied basic human rights, the suffering in Gaza today is the result of decades of policies designed to erase Palestinian identity and existence.
Thousands are being killed, entire families wiped out, and whole neighborhoods reduced to rubble. This is being documented not only by Israeli soldiers posting on their social media accounts but also by Israeli leaders who have openly declared their intentions. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described Gaza as a "human animals" territory to be "eradicated." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly referred to Palestinian civilians as a threat to Israel’s existence, further fueling the dehumanization of the Palestinian people.
This is not a tragic escalation of conflict—it is the continuation of a colonial agenda that has always been about the extermination, dispossession, and dehumanization of Palestinians. Make no mistake: what is happening in Gaza today is genocide, a reality that is increasingly being acknowledged and documented by numerous international organizations and brave Israeli Holocaust researchers.
The violence against Gaza is not new, nor can it be viewed solely as a response to the October 7, 2023, attacks, as pro-Israeli commentators are wont to do. This narrative attempts to frame the escalation as a mere reaction to the violence initiated by Hamas, ignoring the long-standing history of settler-colonial policies and oppression that have shaped the ongoing conflict.
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