As the violence between Israel and Hamas continues, there is a growing concern among groups and experts about the portrayal of these attacks as unprovoked. The Israeli military is currently engaged in a battle with Palestinian fighters after Hamas breached Israel’s security barrier with an influx of rockets and targeted nearby settlements. While the media and officials describe the violence as unprecedented and unprovoked, many experts and groups familiar with the history of Israeli apartheid against Palestinians argue otherwise.
It is important to note that at least 700 people have been reported killed in Israel, and a number of Israelis are being held hostage in Gaza. In response, the Israeli military has launched powerful retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas governs over two million Palestinian civilians. However, it should be acknowledged that Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union due to their armed resistance against Israel’s occupation.
A progressive American Jewish group called IfNotNow, which opposes Israeli apartheid, has stated that these actions by Palestinian militants cannot be considered unprovoked. They believe that every day under Israel’s system of apartheid is a provocation, along with the strangling siege on Gaza, the terrorizing of Palestinian villages by settlers, and the demolishing of Palestinian homes. They argue that these provocations are a result of the extreme right-wing government in Israel and an emboldened fascist movement.
It is crucial to recognize the long history of Israeli violence against Palestinians. The Nakba, which refers to the mass murder and displacement of Palestinians from their land during the Arab-Israeli war of 1948, sets the stage for ongoing human rights violations. Reports from various human rights groups have highlighted Israel’s efforts to remove Palestinian families from their land, imprison Palestinian dissidents, and kill civilians, including children, which aligns with the definition of apartheid.
Israel has historically received significant financial and weapons support from the U.S., enabling them to create a military system that far surpasses their Palestinian neighbors. With this in mind, IfNotNow and the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations are calling for the U.S. to reflect on its role in funding violence against Palestinians, despite publicly supporting a two-state solution.
It is essential to acknowledge the underlying context and systemic oppression endured by Palestinians. Ignoring this context will only lead to more bloodshed. IfNotNow urges communities to reconsider knee-jerk militarism and calls for accountability for the Israeli government and an end to the untenable status quo of Israel’s apartheid system.
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