What ‘From the River to the Sea’ Really Means & Why Israel Can’t Win, w/ Vijay Prashad
Nov 9, 2023
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Vijay Prashad, Executive Director of the Tricontinental Institute and author, dives into the devastating impact of the war in Gaza, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and rising global tensions. He discusses media portrayals of the Israel-Palestine conflict, critiquing the normalization of relations with Arab nations. Prashad addresses the moral implications of valuing lives by nationality and the enduring spirit of Palestinian resistance. His insights call for urgent recognition of rights and comprehensive solutions to achieve true peace.
The unprecedented turnout of 300,000 supporters at the Washington D.C. march for Palestinian rights signifies a vital shift in American public sentiment and awareness regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The events following October 7 have shattered normalization efforts between Israel and Arab nations, highlighting that future relations will depend on addressing the Palestinian plight and demands for justice.
Deep dives
Public Sentiment Shifts Significantly
The recent mass demonstration in Washington D.C. saw an unprecedented turnout of 300,000 participants advocating for Palestinian rights, marking a significant shift in public sentiment. This event, deemed the largest in U.S. history in support of the Palestinian cause, symbolizes a turning tide reminiscent of past movements against apartheid in South Africa. The mobilization underscores a growing awareness and concern among the U.S. populace regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the staggering civilian death toll, particularly among children. As people react to the violence, they are increasingly demanding accountability and justice, reflecting a wide-ranging change in attitudes toward U.S. foreign policy and its implications.
Normalization Efforts Falter Post-Conflict
The events of October 7 fundamentally altered the landscape of Arab-Israeli relations, dismantling years of efforts toward normalization between Israel and various Arab countries. Prior to this incident, efforts like the Abraham Accords and the I2U2 project aimed to integrate Israel into the region through trade and diplomatic relations. However, the intense Israeli military response and the devastation in Gaza have galvanized public outrage across the Arab world, making it politically untenable for countries like Saudi Arabia to pursue normalization with Israel amidst such turmoil. This profound shift indicates that the aspirations of the Arab populace cannot be ignored and that any future relations will now hinge on the resolution of the Palestinian plight.
Rethinking the Israel-Palestine Narrative
The framing of the conflict as a battle between Israel and Hamas overlooks the broader context of Palestinian suffering and resistance. The U.S. media's portrayal reinforces a narrative that dichotomizes Israel as a nation against Hamas as a terrorist entity, neglecting the historical and ongoing injustices faced by the Palestinian people. This simplistic view disregards the motivations behind Hamas's actions, which are rooted in decades of oppressive policies and military aggression that have pushed Palestinians to armed struggle. Understanding this conflict as one of liberation rather than mere terrorism is critical for fostering a more nuanced dialogue and exploring a path toward peace.
The Imperative for Inspired Change
The need for a comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict goes beyond the continuation of apartheid practices; it requires a fundamental rethinking of principles based on justice and equality. The divergent visions encapsulated by the slogan 'from the river to the sea' highlight the struggle between maintaining an apartheid state versus establishing a unified, democratic society where all individuals coexist with equal rights. This historical context reveals that efforts to impose peace through temporary agreements have repeatedly failed, as they do not address the root causes of the conflict. Acknowledging the long-standing call for Palestinian rights is vital to creating sustainable peace and dismantling the oppressive structures currently in place.
More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel as countries around the world withdraw their ambassadors from Israel. But when the one Palestinian member of Congress, Rashida Tlaib, speaks in support of the Palestinian people, she is censured by the House of Representatives.
Brian Becker is joined by Vijay Prashad, the Executive Director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, Chief Editor of LeftWord Books, and a prolific author, most recently publishing a new book with Noam Chomsky called “The Withdrawal: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and the Fragility of U.S. Power.” He also spoke at the biggest march for Palestine in U.S. history last week, the November 4th National March on Washington.
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