Who Invented Palestinian Nationalism and Why? | Explained

Summary

This video delves into the Soviet Union's unexpected involvement in the Palestinian cause during the Cold War. Initially supportive of Israel, the USSR's stance shifted as they sought to undermine Western influence in the Middle East. They used the Palestinian cause as a tool for geopolitical maneuvering, funding and manipulating groups like the PLO and its leader, Yasser Arafat. The KGB played a key role in crafting Arafat’s image, turning him from a militant into a global symbol of resistance. The video explores how Soviet strategies, aimed at weakening Israel and the West, shaped modern Palestinian nationalism.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Soviet Union initially supported Israel, recognizing it in 1948 due to its socialist foundations, but the relationship quickly soured as Israel aligned with the US.
• 😀 Stalin viewed the rise of Zionism and Jewish identity as a threat to Soviet unity, leading to a propaganda campaign that demonized Jews and Zionism in the USSR and abroad.
• 😀 The USSR strategically used anti-Israel sentiment in the Arab world to bolster its influence in the Middle East, positioning itself as an ally to Arab nations and their causes.
• 😀 By the 1960s, the Soviet Union identified Palestinian nationalism as a key tool in its Cold War strategy, providing significant support to Palestinian groups like the PLO.
• 😀 The Soviet Union actively cultivated Palestinian leadership, especially Yasser Arafat, who was seen as a perfect candidate for Soviet backing due to his opposition to Israel and his need for international legitimacy.
• 😀 The KGB helped form the PLO, providing not only financial support but also developing its political platform, which called for Israel's destruction.
• 😀 Despite supporting Palestinian nationalism, the Soviet Union's primary aim was to undermine Israel and the US, not to create a peaceful Palestinian state.
• 😀 The Soviets used the Palestinian cause to exploit Western concerns about imperialism and human rights, manipulating global opinion by framing Palestinians as freedom fighters.
• 😀 Soviet propaganda, along with financial backing and military aid, helped legitimize Arafat on the world stage, despite his role in acts of terrorism against Israel.
• 😀 The USSR's involvement in Palestinian nationalism was ultimately about expanding Soviet power in the Middle East, not about fulfilling Palestinian aspirations for statehood or peace.

Q & A

Why did the Soviet Union initially support Israel after its establishment in 1948?

The USSR supported Israel initially because it was founded by socialists, aligning with Soviet ideology. The USSR even recognized Israel as the first state to formally do so and supported it with military aid through Czechoslovakia. However, this support faded as Israel sided with the US during the Cold War.

What were some of the reasons for Stalin's hostility towards Israel?

Stalin grew hostile towards Israel due to its growing influence among Soviet Jews, who were developing a distinct identity that threatened the uniform Soviet identity he sought to create. Additionally, Israel's alignment with the United States during the Cold War was unacceptable to the USSR.

How did the Soviet Union promote anti-Zionism in the 1950s?

The Soviet Union launched a propaganda campaign that demonized Zionism and Jews, portraying them as bourgeois and detrimental to Soviet society. They also introduced a field of study called 'Zionology' and created disinformation about Jewish influence to maintain Soviet unity.

What role did the USSR play in the Middle East during the Cold War?

During the Cold War, the USSR poured resources into the Middle East to counter US influence, particularly through support for Arab nations and the Palestinian cause. This included propaganda, military aid, and supporting nationalist movements in the region, including Palestinian groups.

How did the USSR exploit the conflict between Israel and Arab nations in the 1950s?

The USSR took advantage of the animosity between Israel and Arab nations by supporting Arab states like Egypt and Syria with resources and weapons. They also fueled anti-Israel sentiment, hoping to isolate Israel internationally and gain leverage against US interests.

What was the Soviet Union's strategy with Palestinian nationalism?

The USSR saw Palestinian nationalism as an opportunity to weaken Israel and drive a wedge between it and the West. They supported the creation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and cultivated leaders like Yasser Arafat, providing them with resources to wage an anti-Israel campaign.

What role did Yasser Arafat play in the Soviet Union's strategy?

Yasser Arafat was a key figure in the USSR's strategy to promote Palestinian nationalism. The Soviets helped establish the PLO, provided financial support, and worked on shaping Arafat's image as a legitimate leader of a nationalist cause, all while using him as a pawn in the Cold War.

What was the USSR's involvement in the Six-Day War of 1967?

The USSR had invested heavily in Arab militaries before the Six-Day War, but after Israel's swift victory, they were furious at the destruction of their military equipment. This loss motivated the Soviets to intensify their support for Palestinian groups and escalate anti-Israel rhetoric.

How did the KGB aid Arafat in his propaganda efforts?

The KGB provided Arafat with financial support, including monthly payments, and introduced him to propaganda experts. They helped craft a narrative that framed the Palestinian cause as a struggle for human rights, which gained global sympathy while obscuring Arafat's violent actions.

How did the global perception of Arafat shift from the 1970s to the 1990s?

In the 1970s, Arafat was seen as a terrorist leader due to his association with hijackings and violence. However, with Soviet help and a concerted effort to reframe his image as a freedom fighter, Arafat gained international legitimacy, culminating in peace negotiations with Israel in the 1990s.