In this discussion, Matteo Capasso, a Marie Curie Fellow at the University of Venice, analyzes the Al-Aqsa Flood operation and its implications for U.S. imperialism. He dives into the historical context of Palestinian resistance, emphasizing the narratives surrounding Hamas and Hezbollah. The conversation highlights the intricate ties between U.S. support for Israel and global anti-imperialist movements. Capasso argues for solidarity with the Global South, stressing the need for critical engagement with the complexities of the Palestinian struggle and the broader fight against oppression.
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Quick takeaways
The Al-Aqsa Flood operation represents a significant turning point in Palestinian resistance, revitalizing efforts against U.S.-backed colonialism and imperialism.
Misconceptions surrounding the Al-Aqsa operation perpetuated by Western media obscured the historical context of Palestinian resistance and colonial violence.
The Axis of Resistance, including groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, exemplifies regional solidarity in confronting U.S. hegemony and advocating for liberation in Palestine.
Deep dives
The Impact of the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation
The Al-Aqsa flood operation, executed on October 7, 2023, marked a pivotal moment for the Palestinian resistance, revitalizing the struggle against U.S.-backed colonialism. By attacking the Zionist entity, the operation not only conveyed a formidable challenge to Israeli authority but also highlighted the systemic weaknesses of U.S. imperialism in the region. This operation aimed to alleviate the long-standing blockade on the Gaza Strip and sought to reposition the Palestinian narrative within the international discourse. As a response to the increasing normalization between Israel and various states, the Al-Aqsa operation reestablished the Palestinian resistance's significance on the global stage, altering perceptions and strategies for combatting imperialism.
Myths and Misconceptions About the Al-Aqsa Flood
The narrative surrounding the Al-Aqsa flood operation has been laden with misconceptions perpetuated by Western governments and media outlets. Immediate condemnations from prominent leaders ignored the historical context of Palestinian resistance, framing the event as mere terrorism without acknowledgment of Israel's colonial practices. False claims such as babies being beheaded and women being raped have been debunked, revealing a propaganda campaign aimed at manipulating public perception. These myths serve to justify unconditional support for Israel while obfuscating the realities of ongoing colonial violence against Palestinians.
Understanding Hamas in the Resistance Movement
Hamas emerged as a national liberation movement during the first Intifada in 1987 and holds significant historical and ideological roots within the Palestinian resistance. Unlike the Palestinian Authority, which has been critiqued for its collaboration with Israel, Hamas presents itself as a direct representative of Palestinian aspirations for liberation and autonomy. The movement's socio-political framework blends Islamic values with a commitment to national liberation, positioning Hamas as part of a larger regional and global resistance against imperialism. It has evolved through organizational challenges and external pressures, solidifying its role in the broader resistance axis alongside forces like Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The Axis of Resistance and Its Implications
The Axis of Resistance consists of various groups and states that collaborate against imperialism, emphasizing the liberation of Palestine as a central objective. This coalition has emerged from a historical continuum of resistance movements and is further solidified by shared ideologies that transcend sectarian divisions. The members, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran, leverage their experiences of resistance to create a united front against U.S. hegemony in the region. This alliance highlights the significance of regional solidarity and the collaborative pursuit of national liberation in confronting imperialist structures, which reinforces the idea that liberation struggles in the Global South are interconnected.
The Role of Western Marxists in Anti-Imperialist Struggles
Western Marxism has often struggled to align its theories with the practical struggles of anti-imperialist movements in the Global South, leading to a detached intellectualism. Many scholars suggest that the primary contradiction is between imperialism and national liberation rather than traditional labor-capital dynamics, emphasizing that the realities of colonial oppression must inform revolutionary practices. Recent developments, particularly the Palestinian resistance, challenge Western activists to reevaluate their positions and acknowledge that meaningful engagement with anti-imperial struggles involves humility and support rather than imposing Western models of revolution. This acknowledgment is vital for restoring a genuine connection with global resistance movements and fostering solidarity in the fight against imperialism.
The Al-Aqsa Flood operation, which took place one year ago today, was perhaps one of the most important blows against U.S. imperialism that we’ve ever seen—both ideologically and materially. Nothing can ever be the same—and it shouldn’t, because what we considered normal, if we even thought about it at all, was a nightmare for the vast majority of people on the planet. The Global South and the Resistance Axis that has taken up the fight against the U.S. and Israel’s ethnic cleansing campaign in Gaza, have shown themselves to be a leading force against U.S. imperialism, earth’s greatest enemy.
In this episode, we’re going to explore the Al-Aqsa Flood military operation from a year ago and contextualize it within the broader resistance movement against U.S. imperialism and the Zionist entity (Israel) that helps to uphold it. And we’ve brought on the perfect guest to walk us through it all. Matteo Capasso is Marie Curie Fellow at the University of Venice. His research focuses on the impact of US-led imperialism across the modern Middle East and North Africa. He is the Editor of Middle East Critique and the author of Everyday Politics in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, published by Syracuse University Press.
In today’s episode we’ll take a deep dive into the history of resistance in the region and its context in broader resistance movements in the Global South. We’ll explore the history of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other parts of the resistance, talk about the overall impact that the Palestinian resistance has had, and explore how we in the imperial core can contribute to the destruction of the U.S. empire and support the resistance against it in the Global South.
Intermission music: “From Ansar to Asklan” by George Kirmiz, reissued by Majazz project, an archival record label and alternative research platform reissuing and remixing vintage Arab vinyl and cassettes.
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