Aaron Maté, a journalist and political commentator, discusses the lack of rights for Palestinians, the disparities in privileges between Jewish and non-Jewish individuals in Israel, the motivations of the Israeli government, the role of the US as Israel's client state, and the lack of attention and justice for American citizens killed by foreign military forces.
Israel's identification as a state for the Jewish people has led to the suppression of Palestinian rights, hindering peace and equality in the region.
Israel's aim is not solely to eliminate Hamas and rescue hostages, but rather to make Gaza uninhabitable for its residents in order to maintain control, while Hamas has shown willingness to compromise for the creation of a Palestinian state.
Deep dives
Israel as a Jewish supremacist state
Israel, internally, may have some measure of democracy, but when considering the millions of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, it cannot be called a democracy. Israel identifies as a state for the Jewish people, which has led to the suppression of Palestinian rights. This supremacist mindset is a key factor in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israel prioritizes its supremacy over the security and well-being of all.
Inequality and discrimination in Israel
Israel's policies grant different rights to Jewish citizens compared to non-Jewish inhabitants. Jewish people have the right of return and various privileges, including subsidized housing in occupied territories. In contrast, Palestinians who were displaced in 1948 are denied the right to return to their ancestral homes. This discriminatory treatment is a significant barrier to achieving equality and peace in the region.
The Israeli government's goals and Hamas
The Israeli government claims its goal is to degrade or eliminate Hamas and rescue hostages, but the reality is that Israel seeks to make Gaza uninhabitable for its residents. Israel aims to suppress any Palestinian resistance to its occupation and control, which is fundamentally incompatible with the existence of a Jewish state. On the other hand, Hamas has shown more accommodation by accepting the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, a significant compromise for Palestinians.