This blog post was originally featured in “The Landline,” +972’s weekly newsletter.
Back in 2012, during an interview with business newspaper “The Marker,” Benjamin Netanyahu made a boast that has since morphed into a chilling idiom: “if you leave out the Arabs and the ultra-Orthodox, [Israel is] in great shape.” Fast forward to today, and it seems like the prime minister is now refining that sentiment even further – suggesting that without the people altogether, Israel is thriving.
But it’s not just Netanyahu who holds this belief. Since the tragic events of October 7 and the subsequent assault on Gaza, the Israeli right seems to be in a state of euphoria. The recent missile attack from Iran has managed to divert attention away from Gaza, suppress international criticism, and even gain sympathy for Israel once again.
Despite the temporary respite, the devastation being inflicted on Gaza has not vanished. The potential invasion of Rafah could easily bring back the horrifying images of Gaza’s plight back to the forefront of global news.
When the focus inevitably returns, it is imperative not to fall into the trap of believing that Gaza’s suffering exists in isolation. The assault on Gaza is an integral part of the systematic oppression imposed by Israel in the region, creating an apartheid regime between the river and the sea.
The segregation of Palestinians into different classifications – citizens, residents, prisoners, and refugees – is a core strategy of Israel’s divide and conquer policies. This approach denies the existence of Palestinians as a unified people and subjects them all to the dominion of Jewish supremacy.
While Israelis may perceive these categorizations as separate entities, Palestinians themselves do not recognize these artificial boundaries, understanding the shared struggle despite differing rights and challenges. The suffering in Gaza is not viewed in isolation but as a collective wound on the Palestinian body politic.
Israel’s assault is not limited to Gaza; it is a comprehensive offensive against all Palestinian people. This unified aggression is evident through the simultaneous intensification of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank and oppressive measures in East Jerusalem.
The escalated construction of settlements in East Jerusalem, the crackdown on Palestinian neighborhoods, and the increased arrests and detentions demonstrate a coordinated effort to tighten control and suppress resistance.
Even Palestinian citizens within Israel are bearing the brunt of oppressive policies, with mass arrests and persecution for showing solidarity with their fellow Palestinians. Israel’s strategy of divide and conquer must be resisted, and the full extent of the apartheid regime that targets all Palestinians must be acknowledged.
By understanding the interconnectedness of the war on Gaza with the broader oppression faced by all Palestinians, we can work towards dismantling this oppressive system and striving for a just and peaceful future for all in the region.