Israeli society’s dehumanization of Palestinians is now absolute

 

The Israeli military has killed at least 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza — about two percent of the Strip’s population. It has wreaked total havoc, systematically destroying residential neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, and universities. Hundreds of thousands of Israeli soldiers have fought in Gaza over the past 10 months, and yet the moral debate is almost non-existent. The number of soldiers who have spoken out about their crimes or moral difficulties with serious reflection or regret, even anonymously, can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Paradoxically, the senseless and gratuitous destruction that the military is wreaking in Gaza can be seen from the hundreds of videos that Israeli soldiers have filmed and sent to friends, family, or partners out of pride in their actions. It is from their recordings that we watched troops blowing up universities in Gaza, shooting randomly at houses, and destroying a water facility in Rafah, to name just a few examples.

Brigadier General Dan Goldfuss, commander of the 98th Division, whose lengthy retirement interview was presented as an example of a commander who upholds democratic values, said: “I don’t feel sorry for the enemy … you won’t see me on the battlefield feeling sorry for the enemy. Either I kill him, or I capture him.” Not a word was said about the thousands of Palestinian civilians killed by army fire, or about the dilemmas that accompanied such slaughter.

Similarly, Lt. Col. A., commander of the 200th Squadron which operates the Israeli Air Force’s fleet of drones, gave an interview to Ynet earlier this month, in which he claimed his unit had killed “6,000 terrorists” during the war. When asked, in the context of the rescue operation to free four Israeli hostages in June, which resulted in the killing of over 270 Palestinians, “How do you identify who is a terrorist?” he answered: “We attacked on the side of the street to drive civilians away, and whoever did not flee, even if he was unarmed, as far as we were concerned, was a terrorist. Everyone we killed should have been killed.”

This dehumanization has reached new heights in recent weeks with the debate over the legitimacy of raping Palestinian prisoners. In a discussion on the mainstream TV network Channel 12, Yehuda Shlezinger, a “commentator” from the right-wing daily Israel Hayom, called for institutionalizing rape of prisoners as part of military practice. At least three Knesset members from the ruling Likud party also argued that Israeli soldiers should be allowed to do anything, including rape.

But the biggest trophy goes to Israel’s Finance Minister and Defense Ministry deputy, Bezalel Smotrich. The world “won’t let us cause 2 million civilians to die of hunger, even though it might be justified and moral until our hostages are returned,” he lamented at an Israel Hayom conference earlier this month.

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Embracing the Book of Allah | Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi

 

“Muslims Don’t Matter”: Former British Conservative Cabinet Minister On Living In Constant Fear

 

“It is me waking up and realizing that the country that my grandfathers fought for, the country that my child still in uniform, fights for and protects, is failing to protect me. That in this country, four generations on we don't matter, we don't belong.”

Former member of the British Conservative Cabinet Minister, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi shares her fears and vulnerabilites as a Muslim entrenched in politics in the UK and discusses racism, bigotry, and Islamophobia, which are the themes of her latest book, “Muslims Don’t Matter.’

Living in Non-Muslim Country - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

 

Stare into Gaza

 

The fence line is 600m away. The northern part of Gaza, where Israel is carrying out a genocide within a genocide, systematically starving 300,000 Palestinians to death, is about 2km further.

The absurdity and the obscenity of being able to be this close to 20,000 murdered children, their bodies “prophetic voices from under the rubble” as a colleague called them, is difficult to accept.

The grotesque horror of a school field trip arriving at this location from two hours away to watch the mass slaughter from an observation deck was a shock I am overwhelmed by. The first wave of boys pumped celebratory firsts and thrust middle fingers upon their sight of Gaza.

There were no warplanes or drones visible. The school kids and other audience members of a genocide who gawked and put money into a telescope left disappointed as they saw no bombs or missiles, no artillery or tank fire. There were no blast waves from controlled demolitions to wash over them, and the numbers of smoke pillars from smoldering and cratered homes and schools were in the single digits, their fires not vigorous enough to be smelled. It must have been underwhelming and a let down; not much to boast about or revel in on the school bus ride home.

It was quiet. The sounds of those buried under rubble don’t reach the observation deck. No torn and wrecked bodies could be seen, no sunlight reflected in pools of blood, and no strips of clothes snagged on exposed bones fluttered in the strong wind. We were as close as we could be but so separate and so safe from it. It was sanitary and septic, picturesque.

I felt I was a voyeur, a tourist, a spectator. I felt disgust and disbelief. And I felt an absence within me that I cannot articulate.

To be that close to the cleansing and destruction of 2.2 million people and to be centering now my words on my feelings doesn’t escape me. Perhaps a well-achieved purpose of that observation deck of genocide.

The Nietzsche-ism, stare into the abyss and the abyss stares back at you, struck me as I stood there.

Stare into Gaza and Gaza stares back is what I am left with now, comfortable in my Jerusalem hotel, just hours after looking into their genocide as if I were on a platform at a national park or on the boardwalk at the shore.

The horror of the genocide I expected but did not see. I thought I might curse and cry. I did neither. The cruel and so very human spectacle of a caged people being destroyed as a display for school children was what I encountered. I did not expect that and I don’t know how to respond.

Note: Americans partially funded this observation deck.

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Gaza: Is International Law a Waste of Time? With Francesca Albanese

 

Should we, people who remain married to justice, accept that international law, if it ever did work, is today defunct? In a broader sense, when we pursue its application are we in danger of creating a sense of false hope. These are the existential questions we are now asking ourselves as the genocide proceeds at pace into its 2nd year.
My guest today is Francesca Albanese, an international lawyer who has been in the eye of the storm, speaking truth at the highest levels. Francesca specialises in international humanitarian law and is the special rapporteur for the UN reporting on Palestine.

OFFICE HOURS: Marc Lamont Hill DESTROYS Pro-Israel Activist in DEBATE on Palestine, Zionism, & More!

 

Human Rights Heroes: Dr Gabor Maté

 

Dr. Gabor Maté, a Hungarian-Canadian physician, author, and speaker, is known for his work on addiction, trauma, and mental health. Alongside his groundbreaking insights into human suffering, Maté is also a vocal advocate for human rights. His views on Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have sparked widespread discussion. This blog post explores Maté's perspective on these topics and the broader societal implications.

Gabor Maté: A Life Shaped by Trauma
Born in 1944 in Budapest during the Holocaust, Maté’s early life was marked by profound trauma. His Jewish family faced persecution under Nazi occupation, and his grandparents were killed in Auschwitz. This lived experience profoundly shaped his worldview and commitment to understanding trauma and injustice.

His personal history provides a unique lens through which he examines Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For Maté, grappling with trauma is not just an individual journey but a collective responsibility, particularly for communities shaped by historical suffering.

Maté’s Critique of Zionism
Maté has been a vocal critic of Zionism, particularly in its modern political manifestations. While he acknowledges the historical need for a Jewish homeland after centuries of persecution, including the Holocaust, he argues that the implementation of Zionism has come at a grave cost to the Palestinian people.

Maté often points to the parallels between his own people’s historical suffering and the current experiences of Palestinians. He argues that the trauma of Jewish persecution does not justify the displacement and subjugation of another people. In interviews and public talks, he has expressed deep concern over the Israeli government’s policies, particularly the occupation of Palestinian territories, settlement expansions, and military actions.

On the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Maté describes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a “human rights catastrophe.” He is critical of the dehumanization of Palestinians and often speaks out against the silencing of dissenting voices within Jewish and broader Western communities.

He has drawn attention to the role of collective trauma in perpetuating the conflict. For Maté, unhealed trauma in Jewish communities—rooted in centuries of persecution—has fueled a defensive and aggressive stance toward Palestinians. He advocates for a compassionate and trauma-informed approach to resolving the conflict, emphasizing the need for both acknowledgment of past suffering and accountability for present injustices.

Criticism and Controversy
Maté’s views have not been without controversy. Some critics accuse him of downplaying the existential threats faced by Israel or of being overly sympathetic to Palestinian narratives. Others see his critique of Zionism as an attack on Jewish identity. Maté, however, distinguishes between criticism of Israeli policies and anti-Semitism, arguing that the two are often conflated to stifle legitimate debate.

He has also faced backlash from some Jewish communities for challenging what he sees as a “tribal mindset” that prioritizes loyalty to Israel over universal human rights.

Maté’s Vision for Peace
Despite the polarizing nature of his views, Maté’s ultimate message is one of healing and reconciliation. He calls for a departure from fear-driven politics and a move toward empathy and mutual understanding. Drawing from his expertise in trauma, Maté emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the psychological wounds that underpin the conflict.

His vision for peace is rooted in the belief that justice and equality are prerequisites for healing. He advocates for an end to the occupation, recognition of Palestinian rights, and a commitment from all parties to work toward a just and lasting resolution.

Conclusion
Dr. Gabor Maté’s insights into Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict challenge us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, trauma, and justice. His perspective, shaped by a lifetime of grappling with suffering, calls for a deeper understanding of the human cost of conflict and the transformative potential of compassion.

While his views may provoke controversy, they also open up vital conversations about how societies can move beyond historical wounds to build a future rooted in mutual respect and dignity. In a world rife with division, Maté’s call for empathy and accountability is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.

Israelis 'Flooding' Into Cyprus to 'Buy Anything In Sight'

 

Dimitri Lascaris travels to Cyprus to investigate reports in the Israeli and Cypriot media that Israelis have been 'flooding' into Cyprus and 'buying anything in sight'.

In the course of his investigation, Lascaris visited resorts and other business that quietly cater to an affluent Israeli clientele.

Lascaris also examined the little-discussed fact that the earliest Zionists viewed Cyprus as a stepping stone to the colonization of Palestine.

Joram Van Klaveren, Ex-Dutch Far-Right Politician Turned Muslim, Speaks at GPU Festival

From writing a book against Islam to embracing the faith. Joram Van Klaveren shares his story at the GPU Festival showcasing his inspiring story.