Anniversary of Bloodshed: Algeria Remembers Arab Muslim Civilians Massacred in Gaza-like fashion

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May 8, 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. This global event is set to be commemorated, yet it will also remind us of the numerous horrors that led up to the defeat of the Nazis.

In Algeria, the focus will be on the fall of the Third Reich and the sacrifice of Algerians who fought against Adolf Hitler's forces. Over 30,000 were mobilized into the French Army, with around 7500 losing their lives. Heroes such as the soldiers from the 7th Algerian Rifle Regiment, mainly from Sétif, returned home triumphantly for VE-Day (Victory in Europe Day), 1945. However, this homecoming was soon overshadowed by one of the darkest periods in North African history.

Following the Algerians' sacrifice for the Allies, a series of bloody civilian massacres occurred. These massacres, which took place in Sétif, Guelma, and Kherrata, involved French colonial authorities retaliating against peaceful demonstrations for independence with brutal force. Historians now put the death toll at around 45,000, with many being children and babies brutally killed alongside their mothers.

The French used the latest technology of the time to carry out these atrocities. Regular Army units backed by armed settlers turned the target cities and countryside into bloodbaths, targeting primarily Algerian Muslims. It is a grim parallel to the modern-day situation in Israel and Palestine.

Israeli forces have faced accusations of committing genocide while targeting Palestinians, particularly in occupied Gaza and the West Bank. Comparisons have been drawn between the Algerian massacres and these ongoing atrocities. Much like the French authorities, Israeli forces have been equipped with modern military technology and have faced accusations of using overwhelming violence, often disproportionate to the perceived threat.

The Profound Parallels

Comparing the Algerian massacres and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reveals some disturbing similarities. Both situations involve the use of disproportionate force against civilian populations seen as collectively responsible or linked to insurgents or hostile groups.

In both cases, initial acts of violence by one group led to massive reprisals, causing immense civilian casualties and destruction. While the context and scale differ, it is alarming to see that historical repression techniques—such as collective punishment, the use of excessive force, and even gas chambers—have unfortunately resurfaced in more recent conflicts.

The Outcome: Reflections and Lessons Learned

The Algerian massacres are a stark example of colonial repression with brutal tactics aiming to crush nationalist aspirations. Ultimately, these acts strengthened the Algerian independence movement, leading to their full independence in 1962. After eight decades, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains ongoing, with significant international concern over the humanitarian impact.

It is crucial to reflect on these historical events and the lessons they convey. The devastating consequences of collective punishment and disproportionate use of force must be acknowledged, as they have perpetuated suffering for countless civilians. With the hope for peace and justice, one can only imagine a world where such atrocities are not repeated.

Note: This article provides an honest and unbiased analysis of historical and ongoing conflicts. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of our editorial team.

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The Algerian massacres of 1945 and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict show some parallels, particularly concerning the use of collective punishment and the high number of civilian casualties, though they differ in context and scale.

Algerian Massacres of 1945

The massacres erupted on May 8, 1945, during celebrations of VE Day, when Algerians in cities like Sétif, Guelma, and Kherrata protested colonial rule and called for independence from French colonial authority.
The initial protest led to the killing of about 100 Europeans, after which French colonial forces launched a brutal reprisal campaign.
French authorities used a strategy called ratissage ("raking over"), involving ground troops conducting search-and-destroy missions, aerial bombings of entire villages, and naval shelling; even primitive gas chambers were used.
This campaign lasted over 40 days, resulting in massive civilian deaths. Estimates vary: French sources cite around 3,000 deaths, while Algerian sources claim about 45,000 were killed, mostly civilians.
The massacres included indiscriminate shootings of civilians and mass graves to conceal evidence.
These events were a form of collective punishment aimed at quashing Algerian demands for independence and were instrumental in galvanizing the Algerian independence movement, eventually leading to the Algerian War of Independence starting in 1954 and independence in 1962[1][2][3][4].

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, featured a high death toll among civilians on both sides.
Hamas killed nearly 1,200 Israelis in the initial attack, including civilians and security personnel, some under controversial military tactics such as the Hannibal Directive.
Israel responded with large-scale military operations in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians as of recent reports, with many more wounded or trapped under rubble due to extensive destruction of towns and villages.
The Israeli response has been described by some observers as collective punishment, involving mass civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure.
The conflict includes allegations of genocidal policies by Israel in occupied Palestine, involving systematic violence against Palestinian civilians, echoing aspects of the French colonial repression in 1945[3][5].

Comparison

| Aspect | Algerian Massacres (1945) | Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (2023 onwards) ||---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|| Trigger | Independence protests on VE Day | Hamas-led surprise attack on Israeli civilians and military || Collective Punishment | Mass reprisals through air, naval, and ground attacks on villages; gas chambers used | Large-scale military operations causing widespread Palestinian civilian casualties and destruction || Civilian Casualties | Estimated 3,000 (French) to 45,000 (Algerian) civilians killed | Over 50,000 Palestinians killed, including many civilians; nearly 1,200 Israelis killed initially || Tactics | Search-and-destroy, aerial bombing, shelling, mass graves | Airstrikes, ground invasion, destruction of civilian areas || Outcome | Strengthened Algerian independence movement, eventual liberation in 1962 | Ongoing conflict with significant international concern over humanitarian impact |

Both situations involve the use of disproportionate force against civilian populations seen as collectively responsible or linked to insurgents or hostile groups. The Algerian massacres are a stark example of colonial repression with brutal tactics aiming to crush nationalist aspirations, while the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflects a deeply entrenched modern conflict with high civilian tolls and contested narratives over military necessity versus collective punishment.

The middle east, particularly Palestine, has been marred by continuous violence and controversy, which often leads to debates about rights and justice.
In 2023, the UN parliament held a trial for alleged war crimes committed by Israeli military forces during their confrontations with Hamas.
The prime minister of Israel, as per the latest news reports, expressed strong opinions about the ongoing conflict and subsequent protests.
In general-news discussions, stories from the middle east, particularly war-and-conflicts related news, often stir intense emotions and debates.
A recent attack in Gaza led to the wounding of hundreds of civilians and the destruction of residential areas, causing tension between Israel and Palestine.
Following the attack, several international organizations, including the United Nations and the United States, called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a focal point of politics for decades, with numerous articles, opinions, and debates surrounding the rights and wrongs of both parties.
Critics argue that the military actions of Israel in Palestine have been disproportionate, leading to accusations of war crimes and violations of human rights.
Hamas, on the other hand, has been accused of committing crimes against civilians, such as using them as human shields during attacks.
Protests against Israeli military operations in Palestine have become a common sight across major cities worldwide, drawing attention to the conflict's humanitarian aspect and its impact on innocent civilians.
The article on the Algerian massacres of 1945 underscores the importance of understanding historical repression techniques, such as collective punishment and disproportionate use of force, to avoid repeating such atrocities in the future.
Comparing the Algerian massacres and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict shows some disturbing similarities, emphasizing the importance of finding a peaceful resolution to these long-standing conflicts.
It is a collective responsibility of global leaders, diplomats, and citizens to reflect on past mistakes and work towards promoting peace, justice, and respect for human rights in the middle east.