Pic Courtesy:Latuff2
By Iqbal Jassat
Having just read an incisive review of a new book authored by Sim Kern called Genocide Bad, described as a timely and crucial publication, especially in the context of Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the US and his recent controversial declaration that Gaza is designated prime real estate for colonial settlers, it is astounding that local supporters of Israel continue to weaponise “victimhood” as a tool to not only conceal Zionist racism, but also to discredit and undermine Palestine’s freedom struggle.
Mahmood Sanglay, the reviewer of Kern’s book writes that it meticulously dissects different aspects of the Israeli occupation and the broader implications of Zionist policies.
We also learn about the author’s personal experiences and her journey towards becoming an anti-Zionist activist.
To make sense of the event of October 7, it is of paramount importance that we make a clear distinction between the oppressed and the oppressor.
Unless it is understood that to unfairly frame Israel’s unlawful, unjust and immoral occupation and decades of siege as a mere “conflict”, the severity of Zionist crimes will escape scrutiny.
Palestine is colonised. The crime of ethnic-cleansing by Zionist colonisers which led to the dismemberment of the indigenous population, predates Oct 7 by almost a century.
The breakout of Gaza – the world’s largest open air prison – by Hamas and fellow activists to remove the shackles of occupation was a manifestation of their inalienable rights to freedom from a repressive and hostile military power.
It is equally important to understand that the crippling siege of Gaza that deprived millions of Palestinians – majority women and children – of fundamental human rights and dignity, has been a deliberate policy of racist subjugation to inflict pain and suffering.
A de facto paradigm of war of expulsion and extermination since the Nakba of 1948, has been the sad and tragic tale of Palestinians.
We learn that one of the central themes of Kern’s book is the deconstruction of Zionist propaganda, or Hasbara. The reviewer points out that she
systematically debunks common myths and misconceptions propagated by Zionist narratives, such as the idea that Israel is merely defending itself or that criticising Israel is inherently antisemitic.
In this regard it is regrettable that local pro-Apartheid Israel lobby groups have sought to emotionally exploit October 7 by demonising legitimate resistance as a barbarism.
As is evident and confirmed by many captives including Israeli POWs released by Hamas in the last few weeks, their conditions were exceptionally humane, unlike the terrible torturous hell Palestinian prisoners experienced – of whom thousands of men, women and kids have endured decades behind bars without trial.
To be fixated on October 7 and the exaggerated false narratives by Israel’s propagandists who unashamedly exploit the grief of families, is a reflection of their attempt to deflect attention from legitimate grievances and just demands Palestinians have.
The suffering endured by 2.3 million Palestinians – livestreamed during the last fifteen months of merciless scorched-earth policies by Netanyahu and his criminal gang of warlords – reminds us that fascism reigns in Israel.
It is thus imperative that unless one has regard for historical context and factual evidence, the underlying motives of Zionist policies will remain unchallenged.
The tragic killing of six-year old Hind Rajab who begged to be rescued as Israeli tanks closed in on her, highlights the disconnect between an occupied population and their savage occupiers.
What happened to Hind?
An investigation by Al Jazeera reveals that Hind’s story travelled around the world when a phone recording of what’s now understood to be her and her family’s final moments went viral on social media.
“On the call, which lasted for about three hours, Hind begged rescue workers to come save her after the family’s car came under fire and she became the sole survivor, stranded inside with her dead relatives.”
Two dispatchers with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) sent to save her were also killed.
We also learn from a current TV interview with former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (who along with Netanyahu are wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court), that orders were given to implement the Hannibal directive.
This confession by a top Zionist official of activating the Hannibal directive, to kill their own civilians in case of fear of captivity, will spark anger and rage among Israelis to discover that the regime authorised the murder of their families.
Though almost three weeks have passed since the ceasefire agreement was announced, yet the humanitarian situation for Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip is still dire.
Nearly all forms of aid remain disrupted, and the urgent humanitarian needs of the Strip’s roughly 2.3 million residents have not been met.
The harsh reality of Israel’s destruction of Gaza and the lives of more than two million human beings cannot under any circumstances be whitewashed nor reduced to the “other” as Zionist propagandists seek to do.
Profiling the grief of parents of a Jewish person while ignoring or being silent on the unimaginable pain and suffering of thousands of families of innocent Palestinian civilians brutally slaughtered by Israel, is an intolerable form of skewed justice.
Iqbal Jassat
Executive Member
Media Review Network
Johannesburg
South Africa
