War All the Time: Israel vs. Palestine, 1948-82 (Bonus Episode)
Nov 11, 2023
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Explore the escalations of savagery and unrestrained violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict from 1948-1982. Delve into the profound effects of war on both Israelis and Palestinians. Discover the frustration with outsiders fueling the conflict. Discuss the aftermath of the Israeli War of Independence and the impact on Palestinian refugees. Explore the complexities of Jordan's position on the Palestinian cause. Learn about covert Israeli spy operations and different perspectives on the aftermath of the war. Unveil tragic massacres and understand the birth of Hamas. Dive into the historical roots and complexities of the conflict.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has witnessed an escalation of violence and normalized dehumanization on both sides over the years.
The historical context of the conflict, including the aftermath of World War II, influenced the behavior of Israelis and Palestinians in the early years.
Leaders like Gamal Abdel Nasser played a crucial role in shaping the course of the conflict through their pursuit of pan-Arab unity.
The creation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and its subsequent political organization and representation in Jordan created tensions with the government and some Palestinians.
Armed revolutionary struggle, as advocated by George Habash, Khalil Al-Wazir, and their groups, reshaped the nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The involvement of left-wing and revolutionary groups in Europe strengthened the PLO and led to major operations targeting Jews overseas.
Deep dives
Escalation of Violence and Savagery
The podcast discusses how the level of savagery has escalated over the years in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leading to virtually unrestrained violence and normalized dehumanization on both sides. Specific examples of violent acts, such as terrorist attacks and retaliatory actions, are mentioned to demonstrate the increasing brutality.
The Impact of Historical Context
The summary highlights the importance of considering the historical context of the conflict, particularly the aftermath of World War II. It explains that the behavior of Israelis and Palestinians in the early years of the conflict was influenced by the prevalent acceptance of violence and extreme measures in the post-war era. It also mentions the challenges faced by newly independent Arab states and their differing political agendas, which further complicated the situation.
Leadership and Political Agendas
The podcast emphasizes how the actions of leaders like Gamal Abdel Nasser in Egypt shaped the course of the conflict. It explores Nasser's pursuit of pan-Arab unity and his support for the Palestinian cause as a means to establish his leadership in the region. The summary also highlights the role of other Arab leaders and their involvement in coup d'etats, proxy wars, and attempts to overthrow monarchies, further fueling tensions in the Arab world.
The Birth of the PLO and the Palestinian Question
In 1964, Arab leaders, under Nasser's leadership, created the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) to organize and represent Palestinians scattered in various countries. Initially, the PLO was seen as a threat by King Hussein of Jordan, as it aimed to politically organize and represent Palestinians living in Jordan. The PLO started taking on a state-like structure, demanding rights and levying taxes in Jordan, leading to tensions with the government. However, not all Palestinians were enthusiastic about the PLO, as some distrusted Arab states and international organizations, believing that only armed struggle by Palestinians themselves could liberate their people.
The Rise of Fatah and Armed Struggle
George Habash and Khalil Al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) were among the Palestinians who believed in armed revolutionary struggle. Habash founded the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) while Al-Wazir led Fatah. Both were driven by the traumatic experiences of the 1948 war and the expulsion of Palestinians from their towns and villages. Fatah grew rapidly, launching operations against infrastructure and people in southern Israel. Arafat, Abu Jihad, and their group recognized the power of armed struggle and sought support from the Algerian War of Independence for inspiration. Arafat and Abu Jihad formed a partnership that would change the nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The War of Attrition and Israel's Response
After the Six-Day War, Palestinian militants, primarily from Fatah, intensified their attacks against Israeli targets. These attacks escalated into the War of Attrition, aimed at wearing down Israeli forces and stretching their resources. Fatah, under the leadership of Arafat, carried out numerous attacks from Gaza and the West Bank. Meanwhile, Israel faced challenges in controlling the newly occupied territories and protecting its citizens from terrorist attacks. Ariel Sharon, leading Israeli military operations, employed aggressive tactics, and targeted assassinations became a key component of Israel's response to Palestinian terrorism.
Israel's aggressive tactics in countering Palestinian attacks
Israeli forces employed aggressive tactics, sometimes resorting to indiscriminate violence, in countering Palestinian attacks. This included using ambushes to target potential attackers before they launched an attack, leading to the unintentional killing of innocent people. The Israelis also utilized Arab collaborators to sell booby-trapped grenades to the Palestine Liberation Army, resulting in self-inflicted harm for those who used them. The violence escalated further when Israeli forces pretended to be corpses during raids and killed everyone in the room once they were inside.
Collaboration between European radicals and the PLO
The PLO sought support from left-wing and revolutionary groups in Europe, who were attracted to the Palestinian cause. European radicals provided assistance to the PLO in terms of messaging, logistics, and even carrying out operations in Europe. The PLO trained European radicals in camps in Lebanon and Jordan, and these training programs helped foster a strong bond between the PLO and these groups. This collaboration led to several major PLO operations targeting Jews overseas, which received direct support from European radicals.
The Munich Olympics and the rise of terrorism
The Munich Olympics in 1972 witnessed a significant shift in the tactics of Palestinian militants, with the hijacking of an Israeli airline. The attack was carried out by the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and marked a new era of hijackings and hostage takings. The attack successfully attracted global attention to the Palestinian cause and led to an influx of recruits and support from left-wing movements worldwide. The Munich attack paved the way for future Palestinian operations and escalated the conflict between the PLO and Israel.
The Lebanese Civil War and Massacres in Sabra and Shatila Refugee Camps
During the Lebanese Civil War in the 1980s, the conflict between the Lebanese government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) escalated. Lebanon's Christians demanded the government to control the PLO's operations, but the PLO warned the government against interference. This led to an impossible situation for the government, as either choice had dire consequences. The tensions escalated, resulting in one of the most brutal civil wars of the 20th century. One gruesome incident was the massacre in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps, where Falange militias, with Israeli support, attacked and killed hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians, including women and children. The massacre drew international condemnation and further complicated the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Ambiguous Role of Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Defense Minister at the time, played a central role in the events surrounding the Lebanese Civil War and the massacres. Sharon had covert plans to ethnically cleanse the Palestinians from Lebanon, and he manipulated the government while conducting his own military operations. The Israeli invasion of Lebanon came at Sharon's initiative, and the war resulted in a quagmire for Israel, tarnishing its reputation and leading to international criticism. The massacres at Sabra and Shatila were carried out by Christian militias with Israeli support, while Israeli forces surrounded the camps and provided flares for the attackers. Sharon escaped punishment for his actions, and later became the Prime Minister of Israel.
The Dark Legacy and Ongoing Conflict
The Lebanese Civil War and the massacres at Sabra and Shatila had a profound impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the region as a whole. The war marked a transition in the conflict, with new forces, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, emerging as significant players. The violence and atrocities perpetrated in Lebanon intensified bitterness and division, fueling cycles of revenge and perpetuating a cycle of violence. Decades later, the conflict continues, with no clear path to resolution or lasting peace in sight. The legacy of the massacres and the war looms large, casting a dark shadow on the prospects for a peaceful resolution.
This episode will cover the period from 1948 – the year of Israeli independence and the Palestinian Nakba – to the Lebanon War of 1982. It is not meant to be a thorough history of that period, as Fear & Loathing was of the pre-1948 period – to do that justice would require another ten episodes, not just one. This one has a narrower focus. The story we’re gonna hear today is not about every figure, and event, and motivation relevant to the conflict, but is specifically about how the level of savagery escalated over the years, the steps by which those escalations occurred, to bring us up to the where we are now, with virtually unrestrained violence completely normalized on both sides. It’s not a pretty story, and several sections of this podcast are not going to be for the faint of heart.
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