Land Theft and Racism: The Impact of Illegal Israeli Settlements on Palestinians

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Admin

By Phalapoem editor, 8/12/2024

The illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are a glaring violation of international law, perpetuating a system of apartheid and dispossession for Palestinians. Beyond their illegality, the settlements are hubs of violence and racism, where terrorists settlers carry out daily acts of aggression against Palestinian communities, always with impunity. This toxic combination of land theft and dehumanization continues to deepen the suffering of Palestinians while undermining any prospects for peace.

Illegal Israeli Settlements: A Violation of International Law

The establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank began after the 1967 war, when Israel occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These illegal settlements, now numbering more than 200, house over 700,000 Israeli settlers.

1. Violating the Fourth Geneva Convention:

The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits an occupying power from transferring its civilian population into the territory it occupies. Israeli settlements blatantly violate this principle, yet Israel continues to expand them despite widespread international condemnation.

2. Land Theft and ethnic cleansing:

Settlements are usually built on confiscated Palestinian land, forcing Palestinian families to abandon their homes, farms, and livelihoods. This theft is accompanied by the demolition of Palestinian houses and the denial of building permits, further displacing communities.

3. Fragmentation of Palestinian Territory:

The settlements, along with the network of settler-only roads and countless of military checkpoints, fragment Palestinian land into disconnected enclaves. This makes the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state nearly impossible, undermining the two-state solution.

4. Lack of Accountability:

Despite repeated UN resolutions declaring the settlements illegal, Israeli occupation continues to expand them, emboldened by the lack of meaningful consequences from the international community.

Racist Behavior of Settlers Toward Palestinians

Settlers, particularly those in extremist outposts, often engage in violent and racist acts against Palestinians, creating a climate of terror, fear and hostility. These terrorist actions are not punished but often encouraged by Israeli authorities or overlooked by the military.

1. Violence and Harassment:

• Settlers frequently attack Palestinians, burning homes, mosques, and agricultural fields.

• Acts of violence, such as stonings, shootings, and physical assaults, have become routine.

• Farmers are targeted during harvest seasons, with settlers destroying crops or preventing Palestinians from accessing their land.

2. “Price Tag” Attacks:

Terrorists settlers carry out “price tag” attacks—acts of violence and vandalism aimed at intimidating Palestinians as a form of retaliation for any perceived challenge to settlement expansion. This includes arson, graffiti with racist slogans, and property destruction.

3. Dehumanizing behavior:

Terrorists settlers often treat Palestinians as subhuman, verbally abusing them with racist slurs. In some cases, settlers teach their children to taunt and harass Palestinian children, perpetuating a culture of hatred and racism.

4. Military Complicity:

The Israeli occupation military, which is supposed to maintain order, often turns a blind eye to settler violence. In many cases, soldiers actively protect settlers during attacks, while suppressing Palestinian attempts to defend themselves. This double standard reinforces the systemic oppression of Palestinians.

Impact on Palestinian Lives

The combination of settlement expansion and settler terrorism has devastating consequences for Palestinians:

• Loss of Land and Livelihoods: Farmers lose access to their land, while families are displaced from their homes, forced to live under constant threat of eviction.

• Restricted Movement: Settlements, checkpoints, and settler-only roads severely restrict Palestinian freedom of movement, isolating communities and limiting access to work, healthcare, and education.

• Psychological Trauma: The daily threat of Israeli terrorism, combined with systemic oppression, creates a sense of hopelessness and fear among Palestinian families, particularly children.

• Erosion of Cultural Heritage: Historic sites and agricultural traditions are destroyed as settlements encroach on Palestinian villages.

International Response and Failure to Act

While the international community has condemned Israeli settlements as illegal, concrete action to hold Israel accountable remains absent.

• UN Resolutions: The UN has repeatedly declared settlements a violation of international law, including Resolution 2334 in 2016, which demanded an end to settlement activity. However, these resolutions lack enforcement mechanisms.

• Selective Accountability: Governments that claim to uphold international law like the USA and UK often turn a blind eye to Israel’s actions, prioritizing political alliances over human rights.

The Moral and Legal Imperative for Action

The illegal Israeli settlements and racist behavior of terrorists settlers toward Palestinians represent a moral and legal crisis that the world cannot ignore. To end this cycle of oppression, the following steps must be taken:

1. Demand Accountability: The international community must impose tangible consequences, such as dismantling of existing settlements and  sanctions, for settlement expansion and settler terrorism.

2. Protect Palestinians: International observers or peacekeepers should be deployed to safeguard Palestinian communities from state-protected settler terrorism.

3. Support Palestinian Rights: Governments and organizations must actively support Palestinian efforts for self-determination and justice, including recognizing Palestinian sovereignty over their land.

The illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank are not just a violation of international law—they are a symbol of the systemic oppression , apartheid and dehumanization of Palestinians. The racist actions of terrorists settlers, coupled with the complicity of the Israeli occupation, highlight the urgent need for global action to end this injustice. Until these issues are addressed, the cycle of violence and ethnic cleansing will continue, undermining peace and perpetuating the suffering of millions of Palestinians.

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Syria’s Liberation: The Challenges and Hopes After Assad’s Fall

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Admin

By Phalapoem editor , 8/12/2024

After decades of authoritarian rule under Bashar al-Assad and years of brutal conflict, Syria has entered a new era following the unexpected escape of Assad and the decisive victory of opposition forces. The developments mark a monumental turning point in the country’s tumultuous history. While the fall of the Assad regime has sparked hopes for a brighter future, the challenges of rebuilding, reconciling, and governing a fractured nation remain immense.

The Fall of Assad and the Opposition’s Triumph

Bashar al-Assad’s departure came amidst intensified military offensives by opposition forces, bolstered by renewed international support. Reports indicate that Assad fled the country in the wake of significant territorial losses, mounting defections within his inner circle, and dwindling Russian and Iranian backing. His escape has been described as both a strategic retreat and a symbolic end to decades of authoritarian rule that began under his father, Hafez al-Assad.

The opposition, a coalition of former rebel groups, defected military personnel, and civil society activists, managed to seize control of Damascus and other key cities after months of coordinated offensives. Their victory signals the culmination of a 13-year struggle that began with peaceful protests during the Arab Spring of 2011, which escalated into one of the most devastating civil wars in modern history.

Immediate Challenges Facing the New Leadership

Despite the symbolic end of Assad’s reign, the opposition faces a daunting array of challenges:

1. Rebuilding a War-Torn Nation:

Syria’s infrastructure has been decimated by years of war, with entire cities reduced to rubble. An estimated 6.8 million Syrians remain internally displaced, and over 5 million are refugees in neighboring countries. Rebuilding homes, schools, hospitals, and roads will require immense resources and international aid.

2. Humanitarian Crisis:

The war has left millions of Syrians in dire conditions, with widespread poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. The new government must address these urgent needs while navigating the complexities of humanitarian aid distribution in a fragmented nation.

3. Political Reconciliation:

Syria is deeply divided along political, sectarian, and ethnic lines. The opposition will need to prioritize reconciliation and power-sharing agreements to prevent further violence and ensure an inclusive government that represents all segments of society, including Kurds, Arabs, and religious minorities.

4. Dealing with Extremist Threats:

While the opposition has ousted Assad’s regime, extremist groups still control pockets of territory. The new government must address these threats while avoiding the cycle of authoritarianism and repression that characterized Assad’s rule.

5. Justice and Accountability:

A major demand from Syrians, particularly families of victims, is accountability for the war crimes committed during Assad’s reign. Establishing transitional justice mechanisms, including trials and truth commissions, will be essential to rebuilding trust and ensuring a break from the past.

Opportunities for a New Syria

Amid the challenges, the fall of Assad opens up opportunities for Syria to reimagine its future:

• Democratic Governance:

The opposition has pledged to establish a democratic system, ensuring freedoms and rights long denied under Assad’s regime. If successful, this could set a precedent for governance in the region.

• International Reengagement:

With Assad gone, Syria has a chance to reintegrate into the international community. Support from global powers, the UN, and regional actors will be crucial in stabilizing the country and facilitating reconstruction efforts.

• Economic Recovery:

A peaceful Syria could eventually harness its human and natural resources, including agriculture and energy, to rebuild its economy and provide opportunities for its citizens.

The Road Ahead

The end of Assad’s regime and the opposition’s victory mark a historic moment for Syria, but the road ahead is fraught with obstacles. The new leadership must prioritize unity, accountability, and rebuilding to meet the aspirations of Syrians who have endured immense suffering. While the challenges are immense, the fall of Assad offers a long-awaited chance for a new chapter in Syria’s history—one where hope and resilience can triumph over years of despair.

As the nation rebuilds, the world watches, hopeful that Syria’s new chapter will finally deliver on the promises of freedom, dignity, and justice that sparked the revolution more than a decade ago.

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Who Is The Apartheid’s Enemy ?

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Admin
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Israeli Breaches of Palestinian Human Rights: A Dual Reality of Oppression

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Admin

By Phalapoem editor , 7/12/2024

For decades, Palestinians—both those living within Israel and those in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem—have faced systemic human rights abuses that deprive them of basic freedoms, dignity, and self-determination. These violations stem from discriminatory policies, military occupation, and the erosion of international law, creating a dual reality of oppression for Palestinians under Israeli rule.

Palestinians Living in Israel

Palestinians who hold Israeli citizenship—often referred to as Arab Israelis—constitute around 20% of Israel’s population. While they have formal citizenship, they face pervasive discrimination in nearly every aspect of life, including housing, education, employment, and political representation.

1. Institutionalized Discrimination:

The Nation-State Law of 2018 officially declared Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, reducing Arabic from an official language and prioritizing Jewish settlement expansion. This law cemented second-class status for Palestinian citizens, effectively codifying inequality.

2. Land and Housing:

Palestinian citizens face discriminatory land allocation policies and severe restrictions on building permits. Many live in overcrowded areas with poor infrastructure, while Jewish settlements expand rapidly, even in mixed cities. Demolitions of Palestinian homes, often under the pretext of “illegal construction,” are common.

3. Political Marginalization:

Palestinian citizens are frequently excluded from Israel’s political processes. While they can vote, parties representing Palestinian interests face delegitimization, and their calls for equality are often dismissed as threats to Israel’s “Jewish character.”

4. Police Violence and Neglect:

Palestinian communities within Israel experience disproportionate policing and brutality, coupled with neglect when it comes to addressing crime in their neighborhoods. This dual reality fosters insecurity and further marginalizes them.

Palestinians in the West Bank

The West Bank, occupied since 1967, is a stark example of apartheid conditions, where Palestinians live under military rule while Israeli settlers enjoy full civil rights.

1. Military Occupation:

Palestinians in the West Bank are subjected to a brutal and racist military regime. They face arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions without trial (administrative detention), and violent crackdowns on protests. Children are not spared, with many imprisoned in harsh conditions.

2. Land Confiscation and Settlements:

Over 700,000 Israeli settlers live in illegal settlements across the West Bank, constructed on stolen Palestinian land. Settler violence is rampant, often carried out with impunity under the protection of the Israeli military. Palestinians, on the other hand, face home demolitions and forced evictions.

3. Restrictions on Movement:

Israel’s vast network of checkpoints, the separation wall, and roadblocks severely restrict Palestinian movement. Palestinians must endure hours-long waits to travel short distances, while settlers travel freely on roads built exclusively for them.

4. Economic Oppression:

The occupation has stifled the Palestinian economy. Palestinians are often dependent on Israel for work permits, while the blockade of resources and exports prevents economic growth. The West Bank’s agricultural and water resources are exploited for the benefit of settlers, leaving Palestinians impoverished.

Palestinians in East Jerusalem

In East Jerusalem, Palestinians live in a precarious situation, as Israel seeks to Judaize the city while marginalizing its Palestinian population.

1. Forced Evictions and Home Demolitions:

Palestinian families in neighborhoods like Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan face ongoing forced evictions to make way for Israeli settlers. Homes are frequently demolished under the guise of lacking permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain.

2. Denial of Residency Rights:

Palestinians in East Jerusalem are treated as “permanent residents,” a status that can be revoked at any time. Thousands have had their residency stripped, forcing them to leave the city and separating families.

3. Lack of Services and Infrastructure:

While Palestinians in East Jerusalem pay taxes, they receive minimal municipal services. Roads, schools, and healthcare facilities in Palestinian neighborhoods are chronically underfunded, exacerbating poverty and inequality.

4. Religious Restrictions:

Palestinians face barriers to accessing holy sites, especially during religious holidays. The Al-Aqsa Mosque, a symbol of Palestinian identity, is frequently raided by Israeli forces, escalating tensions and violence.

A Systemic Pattern of Oppression

Whether inside Israel, in the West Bank, or in East Jerusalem, Palestinians are subjected to a system of oppression that systematically denies them their human rights. These violations include:

• Denial of Self-Determination: Palestinians are denied the right to govern themselves, particularly in the occupied territories, where Israeli military control dictates every aspect of their lives.

• Collective Punishment: The blockade on Gaza, military raids, genocide , ethnic cleansing, blockade, starvation, and punitive measures against entire communities reflect a policy of racist and criminal apartheid in violation of international law.

• Erosion of International Law: Despite countless UN resolutions condemning these practices, Israel continues to act with impunity, shielded by political and military support from powerful allies.

The breaches of Palestinian human rights cannot be ignored. The international community must hold Israel accountable for its illegal and criminal actions, applying pressure to end the occupation, dismantle apartheid policies, and ensure equal rights for all. Silence and complicity only prolong the suffering of millions and undermine the principles of justice and human dignity.

Palestinians—whether citizens of Israel, residents of the West Bank, or East Jerusalem—deserve the same fundamental rights as anyone else: freedom, equality, and the right to live in peace. Until these rights are recognized, the struggle for justice will continue, and the call for accountability will grow louder.

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A Tale of Two Tragedies: Comparing the Genocide in Gaza to the Holocaust in Oświęcim

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Admin

By Phalapoem editor , 7/12/2024

The Holocaust, particularly the atrocities committed in Auschwitz (Oświęcim), remains one of the most horrifying examples of human suffering and genocide in history. Millions of Jews, along with Roma, Polish people political prisoners, and others, were systematically exterminated by the Nazi regime in a campaign of industrialized murder. Today, as the world witnesses the destruction in Gaza by the apartheid entity of Israel , many draw parallels between the two tragedies, noting the shared elements of destruction, dehumanization, and immense human suffering.

While the contexts and scales of these events differ, comparing them is not an exercise in diminishing the suffering of one group but rather an attempt to highlight how patterns of systemic violence and oppression repeat across history.

Destruction of Human Life• Oświęcim (Auschwitz):

Auschwitz became the epicenter of Nazi brutality, where over a million people, primarily Jews, were killed in gas chambers, through starvation, forced labor, and medical experiments. This systematic extermination was designed to erase an entire group of people based on their ethnicity and religion. Victims were stripped of their humanity, treated as numbers, and denied their most basic rights.

• Gaza:

In Gaza, Palestinians face relentless bombardments by Israeli occupation forces , ethnic cleansing , and blockades of food, medicine and water that create a humanitarian catastrophe and Israeli-made starvation . Over the years, tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed, including women and children, with entire families wiped out in discriminate strikes by Israeli troops . The deliberate Israeli destruction of homes, schools, universities, mosques, churches, hospitals, and basic infrastructure has left Gazans with little to no means of survival, effectively rendering them prisoners in their own land. According to Amnesty International,  the Israeli intent was meant to be a  systematic extermination of a group of people and the result is evident as mass death, widespread trauma, and the slow erasure of a people which constitutes a genocide. 

Dehumanization

• Oświęcim:

The Holocaust relied on extreme dehumanization, where Jews were portrayed as subhuman in Nazi propaganda, enabling their systematic annihilation. Stripped of their identities, tattooed with numbers, and herded into concentration camps, victims were treated as expendable objects rather than human beings.

• Gaza:

Palestinians in Gaza are similarly dehumanized by Israeli leaders including the Israeli  president  and in their media. Labeled as “terrorists” or animals or collateral damage, their lives are often portrayed as less valuable. This dehumanization fuels a global apathy that allows the ongoing Israeli blockade, bombing campaigns, and displacement to continue with minimal accountability. Palestinians, like Holocaust victims have reportedly been marked with numbers on their foreheads or hands, stripped of their dignity, and subjected to inhumane treatment. Moreover, they are frequently used as human shields during military operations, a practice that underscores the stripping away of their humanity and rights. These actions reflect a disturbing disregard for their identity, agency, and worth as human beings.

The Machinery of Destruction

• Oświęcim:

The Nazis developed a cold, calculated system to facilitate genocide: gas chambers, crematoria, and an entire infrastructure designed for mass murder. Auschwitz was not just a camp but a factory of death, where killing was industrialized and impersonal.

• Gaza:

In Gaza, destruction comes from advanced modern Israeli and American weaponry and airstrikes, but with a  middle age siege tactics. Civilian areas are repeatedly targeted by Israeli forces , resulting in indiscriminate casualties, the vast majority of which are women and children. The israeli blockade, cutting off food, medical supplies, and other essentials, functions as a form of collective punishment, slowly suffocating the population. While the tools are different, the outcome—massive loss of life and suffering—is eerily similar.

Human Suffering and Trauma

• Oświęcim:

The Holocaust left survivors scarred for life, carrying the weight of unimaginable loss and trauma. Entire families and communities were eradicated, leaving a void that could never be filled. Survivors lived with the constant pain of witnessing atrocities and losing loved ones in the most inhumane ways.

• Gaza:

The suffering in Gaza is similarly intergenerational. Children grow up amidst the rubble of their homes, living under the constant threat of violence. Families mourn the loss of loved ones, often unable to even bury their dead with dignity. The psychological toll of living under Israeli siege and witnessing death and destruction has left deep scars on the collective Palestinian psyche.

Global Complicity and Silence

• Oświęcim:

During the Holocaust, much of the world turned a blind eye, with many nations refusing to act until it was too late. The cries of those in Auschwitz went unanswered, allowing the genocide to continue unchecked.

• Gaza:

Today, Gaza faces a similar silence from much of the international community. Despite widespread and televised documentation of the genocide and destruction and pleas for intervention, political interests and alliances often take precedence over human rights. Just as the world failed to stop Auschwitz in time, it risks failing Gaza by allowing its suffering to continue.

Lessons Unlearned

Both Auschwitz and Gaza serve as stark reminders of what happens when humanity turns its back on oppression. While the Holocaust was a deliberate, systematic genocide on an unparalleled scale, the ongoing war on Gaza represents a modern iteration of genocide, ethnic cleansing , and dehumanization. The tools may have changed, but the suffering remains the same.

The world vowed “Never Again” after Auschwitz, but Gaza stands as a testament to humanity’s failure to uphold that promise. If we are to truly honor the memory of Holocaust victims, we must recognize and confront the suffering in Gaza—not as a comparison to diminish either tragedy but as a call to action to prevent history from repeating itself. Silence in the face of oppression, whether in Auschwitz or Gaza, makes us complicit in the suffering of others.

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Blinken’s Hands are Covered with Palestinian Blood

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Admin
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The Myth of a “God-Promised Land” and the Justification of Oppression in Palestine

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Admin

By Phalapoem editor, 7/12/2024

The concept of a “God-promised land” has been repeatedly invoked to justify the dispossession, oppression, and violence against Palestinians. Rooted in religious narratives, this claim has been weaponized to validate the establishment of the State of Israel and the subsequent displacement, ethnic cleansing, and systematic subjugation of the Palestinian people. However, when stripped of its theological veneer, the invocation of divine promises to justify colonialism and mass atrocities reveals itself as a dangerous ideology that undermines justice, human rights, and coexistence.

The “Promised Land” Narrative

The notion that the land of Palestine was divinely promised to the Jewish people originates from biblical texts, particularly the Hebrew Bible. According to these scriptures, God granted the land to Abraham and his descendants as an eternal inheritance. While this belief holds religious significance for many Jews, it is important to recognize that it is a theological claim, not a legal or historical mandate.

Using ancient religious texts to assert ownership over modern territories is a deeply problematic approach to geopolitics. If every religious group were to demand the restoration of lands based on scripture, the result would be endless conflict. Yet in the case of Palestine, this narrative has been weaponized to rationalize the ongoing displacement of Palestinians and the denial of their basic rights.

Weaponizing Religion to Justify Atrocities

The invocation of divine promises has been used to excuse some of the most egregious human rights violations in modern history, including:

1. Ethnic Cleansing: During the Nakba (1948), over 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes to establish the State of Israel. Entire villages were destroyed, and the survivors were left stateless, exiled, and unable to return to their ancestral lands. This act of ethnic cleansing was justified by the claim that Jews were “returning” to a land that was “rightfully theirs.”

2. Military Occupation: For decades, the Israeli government has occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, enforcing an apartheid system of checkpoints, land confiscation, and restrictions on movement. These actions are often framed as part of a divine mission to reclaim the “Greater Israel.”

3. Settlement Expansion: Illegal Israeli settlements continue to grow across the West Bank, displacing Palestinian families and annexing land in direct violation of international law. The settlers and their supporters frequently cite religious entitlement as justification, turning sacred texts into tools of land theft and oppression.

4. Massacres and Bombardments: From the Sabra and Shatila massacre to the repeated bombings of Gaza, mass killings of Palestinians have been carried out under the guise of “defending the Jewish homeland.” These actions, often rationalized as security measures, are underpinned by a dehumanizing ideology that views Palestinian lives as expendable obstacles to a divine promise.

The Flawed Logic of Divine Justification

Using religious claims to justify modern state policies is inherently exclusionary and dangerous. It disregards the rights of those who do not share the same beliefs and reduces complex geopolitical issues to simplistic, absolutist dogma. Moreover, it erases the centuries-long history of coexistence between Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Palestine prior to the advent of Zionist nationalism.

The idea of a “God-promised land” also contradicts basic principles of justice and human rights. A just society cannot be built on the dispossession and suffering of another people. The ethical imperative to treat all humans with dignity and equality should outweigh any theological claim, particularly when such claims result in violence and oppression.

Palestinian Resistance and the Pursuit of Justice

For Palestinians, the land of Palestine is not just a religious or historical homeland—it is their birthplace, their livelihood, and their identity. The forced removal of Palestinians from their homes and the continued denial of their rights cannot be justified by ancient religious texts or nationalist ideologies. Palestinians are not obstacles to a promise; they are human beings deserving of justice, dignity, and self-determination.

The Way Forward

To move toward peace, the world must reject the use of religious narratives as justification for oppression. True reconciliation requires acknowledging the suffering inflicted on Palestinians and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. It also demands an end to the exploitation of theology as a tool for colonialism and violence.

Justice cannot be built on divine entitlement. It must be grounded in universal human rights, mutual respect, and the recognition of the inherent worth of all people. The promise of any land is meaningless if it comes at the expense of the lives and freedoms of those who already inhabit it.

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Al-Tantura Massacre

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Admin

• Date: May 22-23, 1948.

• Attackers: Zionist forces-the 33rd Battalion of the “Alexandroni Brigade” in the Haganah.

• Casualty count: about 260.

June 13, 1948: The expulsion of Tantura women, children and elderly from Fureidis to Jordan. The Red Cross is supervising. (Beno Rothenberg collection, courtesy of the Israel State Archives. All rights reserved.)

Description of the event: In 1948, a tragic event known as the Al-Tantura Massacre happened. This occurred when a group called Zionist forces attacked a village, causing the deaths of 260 people, mainly women, children, and old folks. The attack forced the people of the village to leave, and they were mistreated. On the night of May 22-23, 1948, the Zionist forces, particularly the 33rd Battalion of the “Alexandroni Brigade” in the Haganah, attacked Al-Tantura. They quickly took control of the village, and around 1, 200 residents had to move to nearby villages. The Israeli army not only took over the village but also engaged in violent actions in the streets for hours. They even fired at the residents, including in the cemetery where the victims were buried. Later on, a parking lot was built on top of the mass grave, serving the “Dor” colony south of Haifa. Recently, a mass grave containing more than 200 bodies was discovered in the village of Tantura.

Teddy Katz’s research confirming the Al-Tantura Massacre: In the late 1990s, Teddy Katz’s University of Haifa master’s thesis confirmed that Israel committed mass murder in the 1948 Al-Tantura Massacre. Based on 140 hours of interviews with 135 witnesses, half Jewish and half Arab, the thesis went unnoticed until Maariv published it in 2000. Veterans of the accused IOF( Israeli Occupation Force) unit sued Katz for defamation, leading to a case dismissal without hearing his tapes. Katz signed a retraction under pressure, resulting in the university revoking his degree.

References:

[1] Elmusa, Sharif S.; Khalidi, Muhammad Ali (1992). All that Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948. Washington, D.C.: Institute for Palestine Studies. ISBN 978-0-88728-224-9.

[2] Kamel, Lorenzo (2010). “The Tantura Affaire”. Oriente Moderno. 90 (2): 397–410. doi:10.1163/22138617-09002007. JSTOR 23253467.

[3] Khader, Jamil (2008). “After Tantura/after Auschwitz: Trauma, postcoloniality and the (un)writing of the Nakbah in the documentary film Paradise Lost”. Journal of Postcolonial Writing. 44 (4): 355–365. doi:10.1080/17449850802410473. S2CID 145118253.

[4] The Guardian. (2023, May 25). “Study on 1948 Israeli Massacre in Tantura Reveals Palestinian Village Mass Graves Under Car Park.” Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/25/study-1948-israeli-massacre-tantura-palestinian-village-mass-graves-car-park

[5] Palumbo, Michael. The Palestinian Catastrophe: The 1948 Expulsion of a People from Their Homeland. London: Faber & Faber, 1987.

[6] Muslih, Nour al-Din. “Expelling the Palestinians: The Concept of ‘Transfer’ in Zionist Thought and Planning, 1882 – 1948.” Beirut: Institute for Palestine Studies, 1992.

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To Zionists: You will Never Understand the Sacredness of Olive Trees

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Admin
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America’s Shameless Complicity with Israel’s Genocide

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Admin
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