Renowned scholars shed light on the ongoing Israeli genocide against Palestinians, discussing colonialism, Gaza destruction, Operation Yoav, Palestinian displacement, advocating for rights, challenging biased narratives, and struggles of Palestinian scholars amidst institutional barriers. Reflecting on historical events, the podcast urges listeners to engage in societal change.
International authorization for colonization in Palestine by League of Nations post-WWI.
Reformulated laws of war in Israel justify excess force against Palestinians.
Ruling class's commitment to Zionism leads to denial of genocide in Gaza.
Ongoing genocide in Palestine met with Orwellian denial and complicity from society and governments.
Deep dives
The New Geography of Mass Incarceration
Jails are rapidly expanding across the US, profoundly impacting the surrounding regions by prioritizing carceral concerns over healthcare and employment. The resistance against this growth is increasing, with various campaigns nationwide aimed at halting or limiting the expansion of jails. However, these movements often operate independently, lacking coordination with broader activism efforts.
Colonial Context of Zionism
Professor Abdullah Razaktakriti delves into the deep historic roots of international authorization for the colonization and destruction of Palestine. He highlights the unique settler colonialism in Palestine, sanctioned by the League of Nations post-World War I, paving the way for Israel's colonization. Razaktakriti emphasizes the international powers' complicity and advocates for recognizing Palestine's right to self-determination.
Reframing Laws of War for Palestine
Legal advisors in Israel reformulate laws of war to justify excess force against Palestinians, introducing concepts like 'shrinking civilian' and 'direct participation in hostilities.' These legal technologies blur the lines between combat and law enforcement, allowing for preemptive use of lethal force targeting alleged assailants. The laws are weaponized to undermine Palestinian civilian immunity and justify widespread violence.
Ruling Class Support for Zionism
Historian Usama Maddisi explores the Western ruling class's staunch commitment to Zionism, leading to the denial of the evident genocide in Gaza. He contends that this unwavering support serves to absolve capitalist colonialist modernity's role in the Holocaust by framing Israel as a figure of domination in innocence. The contradiction in memorializing past wrongs while disregarding Palestinian suffering reflects deeper issues within racial liberalism and systems of power.
Witnessing the Genocide in Palestine
The speaker describes the disturbing reality of an ongoing genocide in Palestine, highlighting the Orwellian denial witnessed from individuals and institutions. The contradiction between the live-streamed genocide and the active denial surrounding it is emphasized, pointing out the complicity and enabling by society and governments in perpetuating this atrocity.
Challenges in Condemning the Genocide
The reluctance of universities and institutions to condemn the genocide in Palestine is discussed, contrasting it with their swift responses to other global events. The speaker questions the Western academia's selective condemnation and the systemic biases that prevent taking a stand against the ongoing atrocities, especially highlighting the material, cultural, and historical factors at play.
Resilience Amid Tragedy in Palestine
The personal testimonies shared provide a harrowing account of the devastation and loss experienced by families in Gaza due to bombings and massacres. The narrative captures the grief, resilience, and unwavering spirit of the Palestinian people amidst immense pain and destruction, showcasing the enduring strength and humanity in the face of overwhelming tragedy.
Featuring Noura Erakat, Avi Shlaim, Ussama Makdisi, Ilan Pappé, Ghada Ageel Hamdan, and Abdel Razzaq Takriti on the ongoing Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Recorded at the World Academic Forum for Palestine in Houston. We’ll be back next week with episode eight of Thawra, our rolling series on 20th century Arab radicalisms.
