Juhi Jahan: The proceedings and subsequently, the onset of the relocation began in 1933 with narratives presented by Leopold von Mildenstein; incharge of the Jewish Desk within the SS Security Service who was also recognized for his journalistic writing and supported by Joseph Goebbels; the Reich's minister of propaganda. The series of articles titled as “A Nazi travels to Palestine.” written by Mildenstein, was regarded as Goebbels flagship project as he used it as a means of advertising. This included the visions of establishment in Palestine by Jewish population. In addition, it was stressed and backed by the Nazis that Jews should be encouraged to leave Germany to prevent their extermination. Hence, the mass deportation and emigration from Germany to glorify the Zionist development in Palestine by the jewish settlers based on the concept and beliefs surrounding “Promised Land”.
Consequently the occupation of Israel started in 1967 in Gaza, way before the Hamas attack on 7th October 2023 which is often overshadowed in attempts to legitimize violence carried by the Israeli army. Extreme normalization of occupation and violence towards civilians are evident. Despite the propaganda, those who dare to break free from supporting the government of inhumane brutality, face imminent consequences of the powerful regime. Jewish American activist Simone Rimmon Zimmerman, who was raised with Jewish beliefs surrounding the emphasis of unconditional love for the state of Israel, speaks out about her awakening to the “Palestinian reality” and the profound reevaluation of the worldview she grew up with. In the recent documentary Israelism, Zimmerman discusses her journey in challenging the Zionist narrative she was once taught to embrace.
While the irony remains as the condemnation of the anti-semitic remarks may not manifest in the same scale of violence the Palestinians are experiencing in the present, the use of systematic collective punishment is just as alarming; disregarding the history that the Jewish community once went through.
What causes visceral racism towards a certain group of people? Well it starts from a very early age with normalization of apartheid and dehumanization while desensitizing the children to mass killings. In the Israeli education structure, Palestinians are not only labelled broadly as Arabs, but they are also systematically dehumanized and are often depicted as terrorists. This reinforces negative stereotypes and shapes public perception from a young age. Kan, an Israeli public broadcaster, released a video of children singing and glorifying IDF soldiers chanting “there will be nothing” after they “eliminate them all”, indicating execution and taking over the land of Palestine. To “annihilate” the Palestinians since they are being identified as the “bearers of the swastika” which is to equate the citizens of Palestine as Nazis; inciting hostility among the public.
Including the history of Holocaust in the textbooks that promote mindsets through phrases like “Not to let the fire of vengeance die out” serves to fuel hatred rather than amplify empathy. Fundamentally, the hatred is directed towards the Palestinians rather than the Germans who are closely associated with Holocaust. In the end the prolonged victimization shifts into aggression where the victim takes on the role of the assailant, continuing a cycle of recurrent brutality.
Rather than recognized as Palestine’s resistance force, the incident on 7th October carried by Hamas is perceived differently. A common interpretation of Palestine's resistance is that it promotes war and acts of violence against people. However, little attention is paid to the disturbing and continuous violence that has continued for years. An accurate comprehension of the motivations for such actions requires recognition of the historical and ongoing violations that have caused desperation in many Palestinians.
Juhi Rubaba Jurana Jahan
