Israel demonizing Palestinians in the same way that Nazis used to justify their genocide – Jewish academic

Published October 26,2023

Subscribe

Raz Segal — an Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies — has lashed out at U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli leaders for utilizing the Holocaust as a rhetorical software within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian battle.

Segal factors out that whereas the current battle between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas is a fancy and distressing subject, evaluating it to the Holocaust might not be an correct or honest illustration of the state of affairs.

Segal known as consideration to the necessity for a complete understanding of the historic and geopolitical context of the battle.

“A powerful state, with powerful allies and a powerful army, engaged in a retaliatory attack against stateless Palestinians under Israeli-settler colonial rule, military occupation and siege, is thus portrayed as powerless Jews in a struggle against Nazis. Israel is demonizing Palestinians in the same way that Nazis did to Jews, to justify their genocide. The fantasy of ‘fighting Nazis’ drives such explicit language, because the image of Nazis is one of ‘pure, unadulterated evil’, which removes all laws and restrictions in the fight against it. Perpetrators of genocide always see their victims as evil and themselves as righteous,” Segal mentioned in an announcement.

Furthermore, Segal means that presenting this battle in a approach that pulls parallels with the Holocaust could not contribute to a simply decision. He asserts that each side needs to be held accountable for any violations of worldwide legislation, and {that a} truthful and knowledgeable evaluation of the historical past and dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian battle is important for any prospects of long-term justice and peace.

Segal additionally pointed a finger on the hazard of dehumanizing or demonizing the opposing facet, which has been a recurring theme in lots of conflicts all through historical past.

“Drawing comparisons to Nazis and the Holocaust can create a narrative that devalues the humanity of the “different” and can justify extreme actions. The use of Holocaust comparisons in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can oversimplify the complexities of the issue, distort the historical context, and hinder progress towards a just resolution,” Segal warned.