Militant Seizure: Israel Labeled as a Terror State, Forcibly Taken Over
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, the label of "terrorism" has become a contentious issue, with different parties offering contrasting perspectives.
Israel, a settler-colonial state that was established in 1948 (before which it was known as Palestine), has been at the centre of much controversy over the years. The Israeli government's behaviour, according to some critics, suggests a belief in its own superiority and a desire for special privileges. Critics also accuse the Israeli government of causing much bloodshed and strife in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
The Israeli government's actions have been compared to terrorism, as defined by the United Nations General Assembly. Critics point to the IDF's methods in fighting resistance groups, which have been accused of causing death or serious bodily harm to civilians. Specific actions often cited as terrorist or terroristic include indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks on civilian populations, systematic violence or intimidation against Palestinians, and use of collective punishment or siege tactics.
However, Israel and its supporters frame these actions as legitimate self-defense against terrorism and insurgency. They define terrorism mainly as actions by militant Palestinian groups involving attacks on Israeli civilians, such as bombings, shootings, stabbings, and rocket attacks.
On the other side, Palestinian factions, their supporters, and international critics apply the term terrorism or state terrorism to Israeli policies and military conduct, particularly where civilian harm is involved. Khalil Harb, in his writing for The Cradle, refers to Israel as a "gang state" and its security and military apparatuses as "terrorism."
The Israeli government has been accused of normalizing bloody attacks on hospitals, churches, and mosques. The Israeli government's actions have been particularly criticized for allowing Hamas fighters easy access on Oct. 7, 2023, which some suggest was intentional for manufacturing tales of atrocities.
The Zionist ideology has been accused of cloaking its goals in lofty religious rhetoric while unleashing depraved acts of violence and domination. The Israeli government's historical figures, such as Ben Gurion, a Polish man who transformed Zionist terror groups into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), have been engaged in campaigns of ethnic cleansing and displacement.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex issue with deep historical roots and a wide range of perspectives. While there is no single authoritative international consensus labeling Israel's actions as terrorism in the way groups like Hamas are officially designated terrorist organizations by many countries, the exact actions considered terrorist depend on the political and legal framing of the conflict parties and observers.
Israel is also having issues with Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Iran, further complicating the region's political landscape. As the conflict continues, it is crucial to maintain a clear understanding of the facts and the various viewpoints involved.
[1] BBC News. (2021). Israel-Palestine: Timeline of key events. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16365465 [2] The Guardian. (2021). UK bans Hezbollah in full after US pressure. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/29/uk-bans-hezbollah-in-full-after-us-pressure [3] Al Jazeera. (2021). Israel's settlements: A brief history. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/8/2/israels-settlements-a-brief-history [4] Human Rights Watch. (2021). Israel/Palestine: Laws and Policies. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/n-africa/israel/palestine/laws-and-policies
- The label of "terrorism" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a contentious issue, with some viewing the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as terrorist or terroristic due to their methods in fighting resistance groups and their impact on civilians, while others argue these actions are legitimate self-defense against terrorism and insurgency.
- In the broader context, Israel faces complications with other regional powers such as Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Iran, exacerbating the political landscape.
- Despite no single international consensus labeling Israel's actions as terrorism, various sources including BBC News, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and Human Rights Watch have provided evidence and perspectives about the Israeli government's actions in war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news that have been criticized as causing bloodshed, causing harm to civilians, and unfolding ethnic cleansing and displacement.
