Long Reads: The Gaza Massacre w/ Bashir Abu-Manneh
Dec 7, 2023
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Palestinian academic Bashir Abu-Manneh joins for a special episode discussing the Israeli war on Gaza. They explore intentional targeting of civilians, Biden's stance on Israel, and the devastating consequences of the 7th of October event in Palestinian history. The discussion also includes analysis of the Israeli government's strategy in dealing with Palestinians.
The podcast highlights the deliberate targeting of civilians by the Israeli military in Gaza, using 'power targets' to pressure the civilian population and undermine Hamas.
It raises questions about the rationality of Hamas's militarization of the conflict, its impact on Palestinian civilians, and its ability to divide the Israeli public.
Deep dives
Israel's War on Gaza: Latest Developments
The podcast episode discusses the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, with a focus on the latest developments. Palestinian academic Bashir Abu Manah provides insights into the conflict, highlighting the scale of destruction and loss of civilian lives. The episode also explores the US's role in approving arms transfers to Israel and the bipartisan nature of American support for Israel. The discussion delves into the controversy surrounding casualty figures and Biden's comments on the conflict, as well as the targeting procedures and tactics used by the Israeli military in Gaza. The episode raises questions about the rationality of Hamas's military strategy and the high cost borne by the Palestinian population.
State Terrorism and Targeting Civilians
The episode examines the deliberate targeting of civilians by the Israeli military in Gaza, drawing attention to the concept of 'power targets' designed to pressure the civilian population and undermine Hamas. It questions the Israeli military's claim of not intentionally killing civilians and highlights how the standards for collateral damage have been widened, resulting in immense destruction and loss of innocent lives. The discussion frames Israel's actions as state terrorism, deliberately punishing and terrorizing the Palestinian population to achieve political aims. The devastating impact on Gaza's infrastructure, displacement of its population, and the genocidal rhetoric used by some Israeli sources are also explored.
Hamas's Strategy and the Costs
The podcast assesses Hamas's strategy and the political calculation behind its decision to initiate the conflict. It examines the logic of Palestinian resistance and the effectiveness of violent tactics, contrasting nonviolent resistance approaches in the past. The discussion raises questions about the rationality of Hamas's militarization of the conflict, its impact on Palestinian civilians, and its ability to divide the Israeli public. The episode delves into the consequences of Hamas's actions, including the immense human suffering, displacement, and destruction, and the long-term implications for the Palestinian cause.
Ongoing War, Political Considerations, and Genocide
The podcast explores the expectations and predictions regarding the duration of the war and Israel's objectives. It highlights the interests of Netanyahu's government in prolonging the conflict to avoid political reckoning and the potential political settlement perspectives put forth by the US. The episode emphasizes Israel's aim to keep Palestinians divided and challenges the moral implications of dehumanizing Palestinians. It concludes by addressing the complicity of the West, particularly America, in supporting Israel's actions and describes the situation in Gaza as a form of genocide.
The estimated number of Palestinians killed or missing in the occupied territories since this war began is now 24,000 people — twenty times as many Israelis as were killed on October 7th. US government officials claim to have privately told Israel that it “must do more to limit civilian casualties” as the focus of the operation moves south. However, there is no evidence of any change in Israel's approach as the focus shifts from northern to southern Gaza and the relentless bombardment of civilian targets continues.
Palestinian academic Bashir Abu-Manneh joins for another special episode of Long Reads to discuss the latest developments in Israel's war on Gaza. Bashir is a reader in Postcolonial Literature at the University of Kent and the author of The Palestinian Novel: From 1948 to the Present. He’s also a contributing editor at Jacobin who’s written many articles for us about Palestinian politics, including, most recently, "Israel Can’t Win Peace Militarily. Palestinian Democracy Is the Solution." https://jacobin.com/2023/11/israel-us-gaza-postwar-plan-nakba-palestinian-democracy
Other articles and videos mentioned in the podcast:
Long Reads is a Jacobin podcast looking in-depth at political topics and thinkers, both contemporary and historical, with the magazine’s longform writers. Hosted by features editor Daniel Finn. Produced by Conor Gillies, music by Knxwledge.
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