By Benay Blend
In a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), Palestinian armed groups were accused of committing alleged war crimes on October 7. This report highlights the limitations of HRW’s human rights approach and the importance of a decolonization perspective in understanding the conflict in Palestine. The historical context, often overlooked in such reports, plays a crucial role in analyzing the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian people.
Decolonization expert Eleyan Sawafta emphasizes the need to view the situation in Palestine through a broader historical lens that encompasses the global fight for freedom and the complexities of Israel as a settler-colonial, apartheid, and occupation state. The right to armed struggle, as a means of achieving self-determination, is recognized under international law for populations under occupation.
As discussions on decolonization and the root causes of the conflict continue, it is essential to challenge mainstream narratives that overlook the daily struggles and oppression faced by Palestinians. The fight for justice and freedom in Palestine requires a deep understanding of the historical injustices and ongoing challenges faced by the Palestinian people.
– Benay Blend earned her doctorate in American Studies from the University of New Mexico. Her scholarly works include Douglas Vakoch and Sam Mickey, Eds. (2017), “’Neither Homeland Nor Exile are Words’: ‘Situated Knowledge’ in the Works of Palestinian and Native American Writers”. She contributed this article to The Palestine Chronicle.