Long Reads: Israel's Year of Genocide w/ Rashid Khalidi
Oct 11, 2024
auto_awesome
Rashid Khalidi, a leading historian of modern Palestine, discusses the ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon, emphasizing the human cost of these conflicts. He critiques U.S. support for Israel, exploring its ideological motivations and disconnect from public sentiment, particularly among younger Americans. Khalidi highlights the struggles of the Palestinian movement and the need for external support. He also reflects on campus activism, revealing a generational divide in attitudes towards Israel, and draws compelling parallels between the colonial histories of Palestine and Ireland.
The ongoing violence in Gaza, described by Rashid Khalidi, signifies a potential genocide, highlighting the profound civilian impact and urgent need for accurate reporting.
Khalidi's historical analysis suggests that current Israeli military actions, particularly in Lebanon, exceed past conflicts in brutality, raising concerns about regional stability.
Deep dives
The Role of The Syllabus in Curating Content
The Syllabus is introduced as a non-profit service that helps individuals navigate the vast amount of content available online. Each week, it curates and personalizes recommendations across 60 different topics, including podcasts, essays, and academic articles, to provide meaningful reading material. This personalization aims to combat the overwhelming nature of internet content and connect users with quality resources that resonate with their interests. By offering two-week free trials and a discount for first-time users, The Syllabus encourages engagement and exploration of diverse topics.
The Unfolding Tragedy in Gaza and Lebanon
The ongoing violence in Gaza, highlighted through poignant testimonies from journalists, reveals the profound impact of conflict on civilians and reporters alike. Accounts depict the harrowing experiences of the displaced and the immense pressure journalists face while documenting atrocities, including the loss of colleagues to violence. The dire situation is described as a potential genocide, with calls to recognize the extreme levels of brutality being inflicted upon the Palestinian population and increasingly in Lebanon. This narrative emphasizes the personal toll of conflict and the urgency of reporting amidst chaos.
Comparative Historical Context of Conflict
Rashid Khalidi provides a historical perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, comparing current events to significant past episodes, such as the Nakba in 1948. He illustrates that while the scale of devastation may differ, the intensity and brutality of the current situation are unprecedented, suggesting that it represents a form of extermination. With respect to Lebanon and past conflicts, Khalidi articulates that the current military actions exceed historical precedents in severity, raising alarms about the consequences for regional stability and international legal norms. This historical context underscores the gravity of the current humanitarian crisis.
U.S. Policy and Public Perception Shifts
The episode addresses U.S. President Joe Biden's unwavering support for Israel, which is framed as a continuation of longstanding American policies towards the region. It suggests that Biden's approach is deeply intertwined with personal ideology and political loyalty, indicating a broader complicity between the U.S. and Israeli military actions. Khalidi highlights a significant shift in public opinion over the last year, with younger generations increasingly opposing U.S. involvement and support of Israeli policies. Despite this evolving perspective, he warns that systemic changes within the political elite may lag behind grassroots sentiment, emphasizing the disconnect between governmental actions and public opinion.
Last October, Long Reads spoke to Rashid Khalidi, one of the leading historians of modern Palestine, about the Israeli attack on Gaza. Few people would have guessed at the time that the mass killing of Palestinian civilians would still be happening twelve months later, and now expanding into Lebanon. The interview was conducted Wednesday, October 9th, when we were still waiting to see whether and in what way Israel would launch its promised attack on Iran. Benjamin Netanyahu had just threatened to inflict the same devastation on Lebanon that his military machine had already inflicted on Gaza.
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.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode