The Decimation of Gaza and What Happens Next with Rashid Khalidi
Jan 17, 2024
01:04:56
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Quick takeaways
The ongoing violence in Gaza is not solely a result of recent events, but stems from a century-long history of settler colonialism and resistance.
The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has resulted in dire conditions, with thousands of Palestinians killed, injured, or displaced, and the population facing near famine.
A political solution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians is crucial in finding a path towards self-determination and statehood.
Deep dives
The Reasons Behind the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The podcast episode discusses the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, highlighting the devastating impact on the Palestinian population in Gaza. The episode emphasizes the need for Americans to understand and engage with the crisis, as their tax dollars support the Israeli military. It is highlighted that the current violence is not solely a result of recent events, but rather a product of a century-long history of settler colonialism and resistance.
The Devastating Situation in Gaza
The episode describes the dire conditions in Gaza, with thousands of Palestinians killed, injured, or displaced as a result of the Israeli bombardment. The state of Gaza is characterized as near famine, with the majority of the population forced to live in a small area. The episode questions the military goals and strategy behind the Israeli bombardment, pointing out that the objectives of destroying Hamas and ensuring Israeli security seem unattainable or disproportionate to the devastation caused.
The Complexities of the Conflict and the Challenges of Resolution
The episode delves into the complexities of the conflict and the various factors that have contributed to the current situation. It highlights the historical context, going back to the establishment of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The episode examines the divided Palestinian factions, the lack of consensus on a national objective, and the challenges faced in finding a path towards self-determination and statehood. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of a political solution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Historical Context of Israel as a Settler Colonial State
The speaker discusses the historical context of Israel as a settler colonial state. They explain how early Zionists viewed their project as a European colonial endeavor supported by imperial powers. Terms like colonies and Jewish colonization agency were used by early Zionists to describe their project. The speaker acknowledges that Israel had both biblical and legal claims to the land, but emphasizes that it was a settler colonial project. They highlight that in the 20th century, this type of project faces challenges due to the era of decolonization and the withdrawal of imperial powers. They also mention how Israel has at times portrayed itself as an anti-colonial power, despite its reliance on support from external patrons.
The United States' Support for Israel and Changing Public Opinion
The speaker explores the historical reasons behind the United States' support for Israel. They mention religious and strategic factors as contributing to this support. They note that the political establishment in the US, especially the older generation, has a deep-rooted support for Israel, while the base of the Democratic Party and younger generations have a more critical view. The speaker explains that public opinion, even if overwhelmingly against certain policies, may not immediately influence political decisions. They draw parallels to public opposition to the Vietnam War and the Iraq War and how it took time for policy changes to occur. They highlight the resistance of the foreign policy elites to public pressure and the insulation of these elites from public opinion.
Gaza has been decimated by atrocious violence. Since the war erupted in October, 1 in every 100 Palestinians has been killed, and nearly all of those who survive have been displaced. In order to imagine what could possibly happen next, we have to look back at a century of history leading up to this moment. This week, Adam is joined by Rashid Khalidi, a Palestinian-American historian of the Middle East and Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University, to discuss what led to the escalating violence in Gaza and what could possibly happen next. Find Rashid's book at factuallypod.com/books
About Headgum: Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.
