by Justine Hemmestad
12-14-23
Continuing on the history of Israel-Palestinian relations as taught by Dr. Henry Abramson, Dean of Touro University in Brooklyn, New York, it’s clear how much the United States has been involved. Dr. Abramson says that, “With the American-fostered Oslo Accords in 1993, Israel and Palestine were thought to begin an era of living side by side in peace. “After 2005, Gaza was completely handed over to the Palestinians.” Muhammad Abbas succeeded Arafat in Palestine and discontinued elections in order to retain power (though even Palestinians believe he’s ineffective). To put Israel’s relationship with its neighbors into context, Dr. Abramson says that Israel sees Palestine as part of the Arab League States, which surround Israel, and itself as “a small strip of land not part of it.” Palestinians believe that Israel does what it does to please America and doesn’t really support the Palestinian state. Dr. Abramson also says that Palestinians view America’s role in the Oslo Accords, and other negotiations, as western imperialism. In the face of this disconnect, Israel “insists on its right to exist (and not be backed up into the sea.)” Thus, Israel must be extremely careful not to be exposed to more terrorist attacks. In 2000, the 2nd Intifada literally exploded; it was more violent than the 1st Intifada and employed such tactics as terrorist attacks and suicide bombings, which were associated with Hamas and Gaza. “Israel’s response was to step up its security barriers to prevent incursion of terrorists, which increased security but exacerbated tensions overall,” Dr. Abramson says. There exists a blockade around Gaza because they send rockets into Israel’s civilian areas. Hamas uses human shields to protect themselves because they think that doing so will provoke Israel to attack. Dr. Abramson says that a website called mEmRI (middle east media research institute) provides Arab news without commentary - the translations are exact, and very clear - making it easier to see facts. Within this literal context, Dr. Abramson says that we should be united against Hamas’ murder, rape, mutilations, and kidnappings on an ultimately human level. Dr. Abramson also says that to this end, most people who support the slogan “From the river to the sea,” have no idea what it means. But when people are shown which sea and which river is being spoken of, they often change their minds. “Once it was explained to them that replacing the current country of Israel [with Palestine would result in] the subjugation, expulsion,or annihilation of seven million Jewish, and two million Arab, Israelis, 60% downgraded their enthusiasm. He says that the slogan means that Palestine will be free of Israel, or free of Jews. A genocide. This is why the slogan is offensive and must be rejected. With the slogan, Dr. Abramson hears the same level of violence in the second intifada and worse. IDF Captain Itamar Ben David continues to believe that the current struggle will be long, as Israel must be certain to prevent more terror. He believes that, “Military pressure is what helps to release some of the hostages,” so he doesn’t see an end to the war yet. However, Ben David thinks the ground attack in Gaza will likely “exhaust itself” by January, when most of Hamas’ militants are dead. The focus will then turn on the tunnels; after which the Israeli army will likely turn to Hezbollah in the north in order to cease the rocket attacks. Itamar says he knows how much the hostages are suffering in Hamas’ captivity, there have been interviews of released hostages. He can still imagine them lighting Hanukkah
candles deep in the tunnels, despite their captors’ efforts to smolder their spirits.
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