How Can Israel, an Occupier, Claim Victimhood?

By Phalapoem editor, 14/01/25

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine is one of the most contentious and long-standing geopolitical struggles in modern history. Central to this conflict is the question of power dynamics: Israelis are  the occupiers, and Palestinians are the occupied. Yet, despite holding military, economic, and political dominance, Israel has consistently portrayed itself as the victim of those under its occupation. This paradox raises critical questions about the narrative framing of the conflict and the realities on the ground.

The Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories—recognized as illegal under international law—has been the focal point of the dispute. Since 1967, Israel has occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. Over the decades, it has continued to expand illegal settlements on Palestinian land, a move condemned repeatedly by the United Nations and the international community. These settlements not only violate Palestinian sovereignty but also fragment their territories, making the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state increasingly unattainable.

Palestinians, stripped of their land and resources, are left with limited control over their lives. Israel’s settlement expansion is accompanied by land confiscation, forced evictions, and the demolition of Palestinian homes—acts that many consider a deliberate strategy to push Palestinians off their own land.

Palestinians living under Israeli control face what human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have labeled an apartheid system. This system is characterized by systemic discrimination, including unequal access to resources, mobility restrictions, and separate legal systems for Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Checkpoints, walls, and barriers crisscross the West Bank, restricting Palestinian movement between cities and villages. Palestinians endure humiliating searches, hours of waiting, and frequent closures that disrupt daily life, from accessing education to seeking medical care. Meanwhile, settlers in illegal settlements move freely and enjoy privileges denied to the indigenous population.

The occupation is maintained through military force, which often results in the death and suffering of Palestinian civilians. Israeli military operations frequently target densely populated areas, leading to significant civilian casualties. According to human rights organizations, Palestinian homes are demolished under the guise of “security” or lack of permits—permits that are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain.

Children, too, are not spared. Palestinian minors are often arrested, detained, and tried in military courts, enduring conditions that violate international laws designed to protect children. The loss of innocent lives, coupled with the destruction of homes, schools, and infrastructure, has made life unbearable for many Palestinians.

Despite these realities, Israel often frames itself as a victim in this conflict. This narrative is built on the premise of self-defense against Palestinian resistance, which Israel frequently labels as “terrorism.” While acts of violence against civilians are indefensible, it is essential to understand the broader context in which such resistance arises.

Under international law, an occupied people have the right to resist occupation. Palestinians, who have endured decades of land theft, displacement, and systemic oppression, see their resistance as a fight for freedom and self-determination. However, Israel uses the actions of a few to justify the collective punishment of millions, perpetuating the cycle of violence.

At the heart of this conflict lies a glaring power imbalance. Israel is one of the most advanced military powers in the world, supported by billions of dollars in aid annually, primarily from the United States. In contrast, Palestinians lack a sovereign state, a functioning economy, and basic human rights under occupation.

When an occupying power portrays itself as the victim of those it oppresses, it obscures the structural violence that maintains its dominance. This narrative shifts attention away from the root cause of the conflict—Israel’s occupation and apartheid policies—and paints the oppressed as aggressors.

Israel’s claim to victimhood while occupying Palestine is a distortion of reality. The international community must recognize the inherent injustice in this narrative and hold Israel accountable for its actions. Peace cannot be achieved through occupation, land theft, and apartheid. It requires justice, equality, and the recognition of Palestinian rights.

As long as Israel continues to portray itself as the victim while maintaining its occupation, the prospects for a just and lasting resolution will remain elusive. The world must challenge this narrative and stand in solidarity with those who seek freedom, dignity, and self-determination.

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Youth's poetry ignites my quest, Against oppression, I protest. In Palestine's struggle, voices rise, For freedom, peace, justice, my cries.
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