How Israel Won the West | The Big Picture

Summary

The video script explores the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, delving into the ideological foundations of Zionism, the impact of historical figures like Meir Kahane and Ze'ev Jabotinsky, and the contemporary policies of Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu. It critiques the state of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, describing it as a form of settler colonialism and systemic oppression. The script also examines the legal and international response to Israel's actions, suggesting that cracks are appearing in Israeli impunity and that there is potential for significant change in global legal systems regarding justice for Palestinians.

Takeaways

• 😀 Zionism, while founded to address Jewish persecution, led to the displacement of Palestinian Arabs and the establishment of a settler colonial state in Palestine.
• 😀 The ideology of 'Greater Israel' and the strategy of forceful occupation and settlement expansion have been core components of Israeli policy since its inception.
• 😀 Jewish terrorism is a concept rejected by many Israeli political leaders, but Jewish militancy, particularly in the settler movement, has grown, drawing on the teachings of extremist figures like Meir Kahane.
• 😀 The assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 by a follower of Meir Kahane highlights the deep-seated divisions within Israeli society over peace processes and Palestinian sovereignty.
• 😀 Israel’s response to Palestinian resistance, including the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, has been marked by large-scale military aggression, leading to widespread destruction in Gaza and targeting Palestinian civilians.
• 😀 Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is aligned with extreme right-wing elements, including religious Zionist followers of Kahane, creating a coalition that embraces expansionist ideologies and prioritizes military force.
• 😀 The international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable for its actions, including war crimes and genocide in Gaza, has led to widespread condemnation and growing calls for justice from the Global South.
• 😀 The principle of resistance to oppression, central to Palestinian actions, is framed as both morally justified and legally protected by international law, yet this stance is often dismissed or labeled as anti-Semitic.
• 😀 The notion of 'settler colonialism' is applied to the Israeli occupation, where the systematic removal and displacement of Palestinians is seen as a strategy to ensure the viability of a Jewish-only state.
• 😀 The international legal system, particularly through entities like the International Criminal Court, is beginning to challenge Israeli impunity, opening the door for potential accountability over genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Q & A

What role does Mayer Kahane play in the context of Israeli politics and the settler movement?

Mayer Kahane is portrayed as a radical figure whose ideology, centered around Jewish supremacy and violence against Arabs, influenced the far-right factions within Israeli politics. His followers, many of whom were part of militant groups, carried out deadly attacks on Arab targets. His legacy continues to resonate among some radical settler factions, contributing to ongoing tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

How does the ideology of Zev Jabotinsky influence Israeli politics today?

Zev Jabotinsky's ideology, particularly his 'Iron Wall' doctrine, advocates for the use of force to subjugate Palestinians and prevent a peaceful resolution. This philosophy has deeply influenced Israeli leaders, including Benjamin Netanyahu, and continues to shape the policies of settler groups and the Israeli government's stance on Palestinian territories.

What is the significance of the October 7th, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel?

The October 7th attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in Israel and marked a dramatic failure of the Israeli military to protect its citizens. The attacks, framed within the broader context of Palestinian resistance to oppression, led to an all-out war by Israel against Gaza, which also escalated the ongoing violence and destabilized the region.

What is meant by the claim that Israel is engaging in 'genocide' against Palestinians?

The term 'genocide' is used to describe Israel's actions in Gaza, where there has been widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and places of worship. Critics argue that Israel's military strategy amounts to collective punishment and aims at the annihilation of the Palestinian population in Gaza, marking the conflict as genocidal.

How do the legal institutions post-World War II play a role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

International legal institutions, set up after WWII, have largely failed to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Palestine, particularly with regard to war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, recent legal proceedings, such as the case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, suggest that international law may now be beginning to address Israeli impunity and the broader issue of Palestinian justice.

What is the concept of 'settler colonialism' and how does it relate to Israel?

Settler colonialism refers to the process of settling and occupying lands that were already inhabited by indigenous populations, typically involving displacement and domination. The script argues that Israel's policies toward Palestinians, including land confiscation, settlement expansion, and military occupation, constitute a form of settler colonialism, drawing comparisons to other colonial histories such as those in the United States.

How does the rhetoric of 'clash of civilizations' contribute to the narrative surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

The rhetoric of a 'clash of civilizations,' often used by figures like Benjamin Netanyahu, frames the conflict as a battle between Western civilization (represented by Israel) and barbarism (represented by Hamas). This framing serves to justify Israel’s military response and position it as a defender of global democratic values, while demonizing Palestinians and their resistance.

Why is the West Bank being described as an 'ethnic cleansing' zone in the current political context?

The term 'ethnic cleansing' is used to describe the ongoing displacement of Palestinians from the West Bank through settlement expansion, military actions, and forced evacuations. The policies of Israel’s extremist ministers, such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, are seen as contributing to this process by supporting the settler movement and advocating for the displacement of Palestinian populations.

What are the implications of Israel’s ongoing settlement expansion in the West Bank?

Israel's settlement expansion in the West Bank undermines the possibility of a two-state solution by creating facts on the ground that make a contiguous Palestinian state increasingly unfeasible. These settlements, coupled with military occupation, serve to entrench Israeli control over Palestinian territories and further escalate tensions.

How does the international community’s response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflect broader global power dynamics?

The international community, particularly Western powers, has historically supported Israel through military aid and political backing, often at the expense of Palestinian rights. This dynamic is seen as part of a broader system of settler colonialism and white supremacy, with countries in the Global South rallying in support of Palestinian resistance as a stand against global inequality and imperialism.