Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Israel's Imperial Patrons w/ Rashid Khalidi
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Oct 7, 2024 
Rashid Khalidi, a historian specializing in Palestinian history and author of The Hundred Years' War on Palestine, discusses the settler-colonial roots of Israeli nationalism and the imperial support that has historically shaped it. Aurélie Daher, a political science professor and expert on Hezbollah, analyzes the group's resilience following its leader's assassination and its strategic military dynamics. Together, they explore the complicated interplay of colonial history, U.S.-Israel relations, and the current political landscape in the Middle East.
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Zionist Leaders' View
- Early Zionist leaders viewed their project as settler colonialism, a process of displacement.
- This was plainly acknowledged before WWII, when colonialism had no negative connotations.
British Support for Zionism
- Britain's support for Zionism stemmed from ideological and strategic factors.
- These included Christian Zionism, anti-Semitism, and securing routes to India and the Gulf.
Zionist Use of Imperial Patrons
- Zionists skillfully leveraged imperial patrons, recognizing their need for an external metropole.
- They successfully transitioned from British to US and Soviet patronage, securing crucial support.