Gaza under Siege: The Continuation of Zionist Demographic Cleansing
This op-ed by Refaat Ibrahim contends the Gaza war is not a mere defensive reaction but represents the latest phase of a long-standing Zionist colonial policy aimed at demographic cleansing and forced displacement.
People are seen loading their belongings onto a truck in this undated photo. (Photo: Pearls & Irritations)
Misrepresentation of the Gaza Conflict
Israeli propaganda portrays the war on Gaza as defensive, but historical evidence depicts a pattern of systematic genocide, destruction of civilian life, and deliberate uprooting of entire communities. These actions continue Zionist colonial policies that started in the late 19th century.
Zionist Colonial Policies
From the onset, these policies aimed to establish a racially pure Jewish state on Palestinian land using forced displacement, economic blockades, and orchestrated wars. Gaza is a primary focus of this ongoing colonial agenda, not an isolated case.
Historical Roots: Zionism and Forced Transfer
The Zionist movement originally regarded Palestinians as a "demographic obstacle" to Jewish statehood. In 1895, Theodor Herzl, founder of political Zionism, wrote in his diary:
“The removal of the Arabs from Palestine must form part of the Zionist plan. The poor population can be transferred across the border by denying them employment. This must be done quietly and carefully.”
This reveals the foundational intent to displace Palestinians as part of a larger strategy.
Continued Impact
The policies devised over a century ago have persisted, targeting Gaza through economic restrictions and military aggression, perpetuating displacement and suffering among Palestinians.
“This is a direct continuation of Zionist colonial policies that began in the late 19th century.”
Gaza's situation exemplifies the ongoing demographic and political strategies inherent in this colonial pursuit.
Author’s summary: The Gaza conflict is a continuation of century-old Zionist policies aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians to establish a Jewish state.
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