Israel-Palestine: What History Must Not Forget [ENGLISH VERSION]
- wjfrequencies
- 3 mars
- 17 min de lecture
Can the consequences of war be mitigated, and the wounds of past mass extermination healed, by granting a state to one people on the land of another—without their consent?
Must one perpetuate the same violence they once suffered in an attempt to heal their own wounds?
Decades later, can we look upon the victims, now dressed as the oppressor, and justify the very violence they inflict on others?
Fortunately, you already know the answers to these questions. Since January 15, 2025, a ceasefire has been in place in Gaza after 15 months of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas, and 57 years of war in total. Yet, this truce remains fragile, requiring renewed efforts toward a lasting peace, as tensions persist over the full implementation of the agreement.
An emergency Arab summit, convened by the Arab League , will take place tomorrow, March 4, 2025, in Cairo, Egypt, with the participation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. This summit represents a critical moment for peace, which has struggled to take hold in the region, especially as Israel recently halted humanitarian aid from entering Gaza just hours after the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
Today, my goal is to trace back through history, to bring clarity and context by sharing key facts, just enough to understand the situation fully and continue the mobilization…
GENESIS
For a long time, I have wanted to publish an article on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly as a tribute to the Palestinian and Israeli whistleblowers who stand against their own systems to defend Palestinian rights, to the survivors who have been fighting for decades, and to the countless victims of this conflict, including the many children who have suffered its toll.
Like many past generations —and, given the current situation, I would say many of the present as well, we have grown up in the shadow of a conflict that endlessly buries its dead. A genocide orchestrated on the world stage, unfolding before our eyes—met now with near indifference, as our subconscious has absorbed it as a ‘historical norm’ or mere background noise, dulling our capacity for outrage in the face of overwhelming destruction.
We could debate for hours, for days, about geopolitics, geostrategy, motivations, amendments, condemnations, and we already do! Yet, none of it solves the problem that has persisted for over sixty years. The proof is in plain sight. If we compiled every study, article, and book written on the subject, each denouncing this reality for decades, or gathered every agreement ever signed, we could likely build a paper bridge reaching all the way from Earth to the Moon!
WHY PALESTINE? HOW DID WE GET HERE? WERE THERE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES? COULD HISTORY HAVE TAKEN A DIFFERENT COURSE?
The establishment of the State of Israel in Palestine was the result of an intricate entanglement of historical, religious, and geopolitical factors. Palestine is a land sacred to three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. At its heart lies Jerusalem, a city central to both biblical and Quranic traditions, a place that has been contested for centuries, fueling desires, claims, and conflicts. To illustrate the depth of these tensions, I recall a striking incident from 2008 at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre —one of Christianity’s holiest sites, believed to be the burial place of Jesus himself. That year, a full-blown brawl erupted between Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests, a scene so surreal it could have been mistaken for a street fight between hooligans. Except this was happening in a place dedicated to the teachings of love, compassion, and peace.
Far from being an isolated incident, such disputes are far from uncommon. They stem from deep-rooted tensions among various Christian sects over the control of holy sites—a struggle dating back to the 1852 Status Quo agreement, which sought to divide authority among them. And if such conflicts persist over individual sites, one can only imagine the magnitude of tensions that have shaped the fate of an entire land. But let’s return to the expropriation of the Palestinians! By the late 19th century, as antisemitism surged across Europe, the Zionist movement emerged with the goal of establishing a Jewish state. Theodor Herzl, the father of political Zionism, envisioned Palestine as the Jewish people’s rightful homeland —though other locations, such as Uganda, were briefly considered. Despite dying at a young age, Herzl left a profound legacy, reshaping global perceptions of the Jewish people and redefining the political role of Judaism. During World War I, Britain formally backed the establishment of a “Jewish national home” in Palestine through the Balfour Declaration. This promise made, —of course, without consulting the local population, laid the groundwork for a future conflict between Arabs and Jews. After the war, when the League of Nations granted Britain the Mandate over Palestine, Jewish immigration intensified, sparking tensions with the local Arab population, who saw their lands shrinking and their sovereignty increasingly under threat. World War II and the Shock of the Holocaust
In the aftermath of Nazi atrocities, the Western world, shaken by the horrors of the Holocaust, saw the establishment of Israel as a form of compensation for the immense suffering endured by the Jewish people and accelerated the push for a Jewish state. In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan to divide Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. While Jewish leaders accepted the plan, Arab states rejected it, arguing that it unfairly favored the Jewish minority at the expense of the Palestinian Arab majority. However, in May 1948, Israel declared its independence, and the very next day, war broke out. This led to the forced exodus of over 750,000 Palestinians —many of whom were expelled or fled their lands during what Israel calls the War of Independence, but what Palestinians remember as the “Nakba” (the Catastrophe).
The Six-Day War and the Occupation
In 1967, within just six days, Israel seized control of the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. This marked the beginning of a military occupation —one that continues to this day— forcing nearly 300,000 Palestinians to flee the West Bank. In 1993, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel signed the Oslo Accords, aiming for peaceful coexistence. But this hope was quickly extinguished as Israeli settlements continued to expand, and violence persisted. The agreements established the Palestinian Authority, granting it a limited degree of autonomy over parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, giving rise to the term “Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).”
As if maintaining control over an entire people required reducing their nationhood to a label of restricted and occupied freedom, ensuring their humiliation, rendering them powerless, and keeping the fate of millions firmly in check. Because before that, they lived on their land without having to justify their existence or fight for the fundamental right to live freely in their own territories.
FROM 2000 TO 2023: INTIFADAS, BLOCKADES, AND DEADLY ESCALATIONS
Israeli-Palestinian Tensions Take a Decisive Turn in the Early 2000s. Marked by violent uprisings, Gaza’s isolation, and a relentless cycle of conflict, the early 2000s saw Israeli-Palestinian tensions escalate to new heights, pushing any prospect of a peaceful resolution further out of reach.
The Second Intifada (2000-2005): A Bloody Uprising
In September 2000, a visit by Ariel Sharon (1928-2014) —then leader of the Israeli opposition, a key figure in Israel’s history, both as a feared general, an architect of Israeli settlements, and a future prime minister— to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound (Temple Mount for Jews) in Jerusalem sparked a wave of Palestinian outrage. This event triggered the Second Intifada, a term that literally means “uprising” or “rebellion.”
Unlike the First Intifada (1987-1993) —which was largely a grassroots movement driven by protests, strikes, and civil disobedience— the Second Intifada was far more militarized, characterized by armed attacks, suicide bombings, and brutal Israeli crackdowns.
What began as clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces quickly escalated into an asymmetric war. Armed groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad carried out suicide bombings, while Israel launched large-scale military operations, particularly in the West Bank. In 2002, Israel launched "Operation Defensive Shield", reoccupying Palestinian territories and destroying local infrastructure. The toll was devastating: over 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis lost their lives.
In 2005, under international pressure and following the death of Yasser Arafat —leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), first president of the Palestinian Authority, and an icon of Palestinian resistance for decades— a ceasefire was reached.
Ariel Sharon then made the unilateral decision to withdraw Israeli settlements and military forces from the Gaza Strip. Though seen as a major shift, this disengagement did not end the conflict. In reality, Israel maintained control over Gaza’s borders, airspace, and territorial waters, and the subsequent blockade further isolated and impoverishedthe Palestinian enclave.
The Gaza Blockade and Palestinian Internal Struggles (2006-2007)
In 2006, Palestinian elections reshaped the political landscape: Hamas won a parliamentary majority, triggering a political crisis with Fatah, the ruling party. The following year, violent clashes erupted between the two factions, culminating in Hamas seizing control of Gaza in June 2007.
In response, Israel and Egypt imposed a total blockade on the enclave, severely restricting the movement of goods, people, and humanitarian aid. Israel justified the blockade as a security measure to counter Hamas’ rocket attacks, but it resulted in a prolonged humanitarian crisis for the 2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza.
The Vicious Cycle of Violence
Since 2008, a series of armed conflicts has erupted between Israel and Hamas, marked by Israeli military operations, Palestinian rocket barrages, and destructive cycles of retaliation. Here are some key dates and casualty figures that illustrate the unthinkable reality:
• 2008-2009: Gaza War (“Operation Cast Lead”). Israel launched a three-week military offensive in response to intensified rocket fire from Gaza.
• 2012: “Operation Pillar of Defense”. The assassination of a Hamas military leader triggered an eight-day conflict.
• 2014: “Operation Protective Edge”. The deadliest conflict since 2000, resulting in 2,251 Palestinian deaths and 74 Israeli deaths over 50 days of bombings and fighting. Gaza was left in ruins.
• 2018-2019: The “Great March of Return”. Mass demonstrations at the Gaza-Israel border demanded an end to the blockade and the right of return for refugees. Israel responded with heavy repression.
• 2021: 11-Day War. Tensions in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood escalated into a full-scale conflict between Hamas and Israel, leading to widespread airstrikes.
• 2023: Total Deadlock. Recent years have seen persistent violence, especially in the West Bank, where the Israeli army has carried out frequent operations against armed groups. Meanwhile, Gaza has faced its deadliest escalation since 2006.
According to UNICEF, since October 2023, the war waged by Israel in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 14,000 Palestinian children, renewing urgent calls for a ceasefire.
CHILDREN AND WOMEN: ALWAYS ON THE FRONT LINE
A January 2024 UNICEF report estimated that nearly 24,448 people had been killed in Gaza, including more than 5,350 children and at least 3,250 women. Nearly 61,504 people had been injured, including 8,663 children, while thousands remain missing. Women and children account for 70% of the victims. In Israel, the report recorded at least 1,200 deaths, including 36 children, and more than 7,500 wounded. With each passing day, the death toll continues to rise at an alarming rate, and the situation only worsens. The humanitarian crisis has led to severe malnutrition among children. By August 2024, Kamal Adwan Hospitalreported the deaths of 37 children, primarily newborns, due to malnutrition. Furthermore, in October 2024, at least 64 targeted attacks on schools were recorded across Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties, including many children. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, as of February 6, 2025, the death toll had reached 47,583.
Beyond the staggering numbers, the invisible wounds remain —survivors endure severe psychological trauma, exacerbated by the loss of loved ones, the destruction of homes, and the complete absence of a future to look forward to.
WHEN INTERNATIONAL LAW CLASHES WITH GEOPOLITICAL INTERESTS
At the end of 2023, South Africa made history by becoming the first nation to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking to hold it accountable for war crimes. This legal action also aims to bring to justice those who, for generations, have legitimized this conflict.
I felt a deep sense of satisfaction witnessing a figure like Nelson Mandela’s grandson take the stage on the international scene, presenting a damning 84-page report before the United Nations’ highest legal body. This document exposes the violations committed in Gaza, particularly in relation to the Genocide Convention.
On January 26, 2024, the ICJ issued a ruling under the Genocide Convention, ordering Israel to prevent any acts that could be classified as genocidal in Gaza and to allow humanitarian access to the Palestinian territory. Shortly after, in March 2024, the UN Human Rights Council reaffirmed devastating facts:
📌 Over 30,000 deaths
📌 12,000 missing persons (buried under rubble)
📌 71,000 seriously wounded (paragraphs 21-45)
The report highlights that the "Israeli offensive has inflicted immense suffering on children, which appears to be a deliberate tactic aimed at destroying the targeted group" (paragraph 33)
Yet, even as the issue of genocide finally reaches the global stage, significant resistance arises, particularly in Europe. The European Union’s reluctance to fully use its resources to hold Israel accountable continues to perpetuate the impunity of the Israeli government.
Last April, Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur, exposed the glaring disconnect between European political leaders and a large segment of society, while also bringing to light striking facts.
“This is not a choice but an obligation, as Article 2 of the association agreement mandates suspension in the event of human rights violations.”
She emphasized that Europe, as Israel’s largest trading partner —accounting for approximately 30% of its trade— holds significant leverage that it must use decisively.
Meanwhile, Spanish MEP Manu Pineda, President of the Delegation for Relations with Palestine, harshly criticized the EU for allegedly funding military companies in Israel, thereby enabling its armed forces to carry out operations, despite the supposed prohibition on financing military and defense projects.
Adding to the absurdity of the situation, the United States and Germany together supply nearly 99% of all weapons Israel receives from foreign governments. In 2023 alone, Germany’s arms sales to Israel amounted to roughly €300 million. Is this how past war traumas are managed? One has to wonder.
Finally, while the Pentagon has recently attempted to reframe Donald Trump’s remarks, seeking to soften the statements of the White House occupant, its interests remain ambiguous. Trump’s latest declarations —where he appears to be paving a Riviera over Palestinian graves alongside Benjamin Netanyahu— sound like a twisted joke. As for Netanyahu, he left no room for doubt when he publicly declared as Israel’s Prime Minister:
📌 “Nothing will stop us, and certainly not The Hague!”
That couldn’t have been any clearer.
CEASEFIRE AGREEMENTS
While the ceasefire agreement is a welcome development, the truce remains fragile, and intense negotiations are ongoing to ensure its extension. The initial agreement is structured into three phases, each lasting 42 days.
In the first phase, Hamas released 25 hostages and returned the bodies of eight others to Israel, which, in return, freed approximately 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. The second phase, still uncertain at this stage, envisions the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas, along with several hundred Palestinian prisoners, and is expected to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Finally, the third phase is dedicated to the reconstruction of Gaza, a task of monumental scale. According to United Nations estimates, the ongoing conflict has generated approximately 42 million tons of debris across Gaza, including buildings completely destroyed by bombings, severely damaged infrastructure, and unexploded munitions, posing significant risks to both the population and the environment. Clearing this debris could take up to 14 years and cost between $500 million and $600 million.
But today, as Israel suspends humanitarian aid to Gaza, Hamas denounces a violation of the ceasefire agreement. In response, an emergency Arab summit on Gaza’s reconstruction has been convened by the the Arab League and will take place tomorrow, March 4, 2025, in Cairo, Egypt. This summit will bring together the 22 member states of the Arab League, along with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. It represents a crucial opportunity for Arab nations and the international community to unite in support of Gaza’s reconstruction and work toward a lasting peace in the region. The key challenges ahead include:
• Maintaining the ceasefire: Managing ongoing tensions to ensure the truce holds and prevent a return to hostilities.
• International coordination: Securing global financial support, particularly from Europe, for Gaza’s reconstruction.
• Responding to the U.S. proposal: Developing a unified strategy to counter the American plan, which is widely seen as a threat to the two-state solution.
Let’s hope for a positive outcome, especially with the proposed extension of the truce during Ramadan and Passover, potentially lasting until mid-April. What is certain is that millions are following these events closely, and nothing will stop us either!
TIME TO CONCLUDE: TOWARD A MASS AWAKENING AND RE-MOBILIZATION
Faced with the magnitude of this ongoing tragedy, which has lasted for decades, it is easy to feel powerless. And in such dire circumstances, some may be tempted to respond with violence. But another question arises: should we fight fire with fire?
No. I believe that would be futile. However, in the face of injustice, we bear a responsibility: not to look away. Rather than letting anger consume us, we must transform it into a force capable of awakening consciousness, rebuilding what has been destroyed, and refusing to let indifference become the norm.
History has shown us that silence is a choice, but never a solution. We must stand alongside those who bring these causes to light, amplifying voices too often drowned out by the noise of power and manipulation. Every action matters, every shared word, every stance taken, every seemingly small act creates a ripple effect of change and restores hope to those who have been silenced.
Let’s not diminish our power as citizens of this world, because our choices matter. Our influence lies in the leaders we elect, the institutions we support, the products we consume, and the information we share. By taking a step back, breaking free from media manipulation, and adopting a more enlightened perspective, we hold the power to shape the course of events. In my book, Light Up Your Fire, I also explore these mechanisms of influence that shape public opinion, often steering us away from the truth and our own free will.
Several personalities, though sometimes controversial, have played a significant role in history by standing up for Palestinian rights and contributing to international awareness of the issue. Here are just a few:
• Yasser Arafat (1929-2004) – A historical leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from 1969, Arafat shaped the Palestinian national movement. He co-founded Fatah, the main political and armed Palestinian movement, and served as President of the Palestinian Authority from 1994 to 2004. A 1994 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, alongside Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, he played a pivotal role in the Oslo Accords, which sought a peace process with Israel. Seen by many as a symbol of Palestinian resistance, he was admired as a freedom fighter by some, while others criticized him for his role in conflicts and armed struggles. He died under controversial circumstances, with suspicions of poisoning that were never officially confirmed.
• Yitzhak Rabin (1922-1995) – An Israeli general and statesman, Rabin served as Prime Minister of Israel twice (1974-1977 and 1992-1995). He played a crucial role in the Oslo Accords, which earned him the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize. In 1995, he was assassinated by an Israeli extremist opposed to the peace agreements.
• Shimon Peres (1923-2016) – An Israeli politician and diplomat, Peres held several key positions, including Prime Minister (1984-1986, 1995-1996) and President of Israel (2007-2014). A strong advocate of diplomacy, he was one of the architects of the Oslo Accords and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his efforts to negotiate a peaceful solution with the PLO.
• Mahmoud Abbas (b. 1935) – The current President of the Palestinian Authority (since 2005), Abbas is also the leader of Fatah and the PLO. A central figure in diplomatic negotiations and the defense of Palestinian rights, he played a significant role in the Oslo Accords. Now 88 years old, concerns over his health and political succession are growing.
• Hanan Ashrawi – A Palestinian activist, scholar, and politician, Ashrawi has been actively involved in peace negotiations and remains a respected voice in the fight for Palestinian rights. She advocates for Palestine’s legitimate recognition and an end to the Israeli occupation. A strong critic of both Palestinian leadership and international agreements, she argues that these deals failed to guarantee an independent Palestinian state, leaving critical issues like Jerusalem, refugees, and settlements unresolved.
• Amira Hass – An Israeli journalist and correspondent for Haaretz, Hass is one of the few Israeli journalists reporting on the occupation from within Palestinian territories. The daughter of Holocaust survivors, she chose to live among Palestinians, first in Gaza and then in the West Bank, to document the reality on the ground without censorship. Her work gives a voice to those often marginalized or reduced to mere statistics.
• Noam Chomsky (b. 1928) – A renowned linguist, philosopher, and political activist, Chomsky, of Jewish Ukrainian and Belarusian descent, views Israel as a colonial state built through territorial expansion. He considers Israeli settlements since 1967 the biggest obstacle to peace, and he criticizes U.S. support for Israel’s policies, arguing that political, economic, and military backing has enabled ongoing occupation. Despite his advanced age, he continues to speak out against authoritarianism, imperialist wars, and the exploitation of people by global elites.
• Roger Waters – A co-founder of Pink Floyd, Waters is not only a rock legend but also one of the most outspoken voices in the movement supporting Palestinian rights. For years, he has used his global platform to denounce Israeli occupation, advocate for boycotts, and support the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement. One of his most famous statements: “If you remain neutral in situations of oppression, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
These figures have each, in their own way, contributed to shaping the discourse on Palestinian rights, challenging the status quo, and amplifying voices too often silenced.
GET OUTRAGED, FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE—IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY!
I cannot conclude without quoting Stéphane Hessel and his essay Time for Outrage! (2010), in which he emphasizes that outrage is the driving force behind commitment and change, urging everyone to reject injustice and take action for a fairer world. Resignation, on the other hand, is surrendering to injustice, a form of passivity that allows oppressors to continue their actions unchecked.
Outrage is not just an emotional reaction, it's a conscious refusal of the unacceptable, a catalyst that mobilizes people and drives change. So let’s restore outrage to its rightful place. Because facts remain facts, and if we trace back through history, nothing —absolutely nothing— can justify such relentless aggression and a massacre of this magnitude.
Taking a stand does not mean responding to violence with violence, but rather acting with awareness and determination —marching alongside those demanding justice, signing petitions, sharing verified facts, and most importantly, making informed and responsible choices every single day. This is how we restore balance, reclaim dignity for those who have been stripped of it, and resist an oppression that seeks to erase their very existence.
I hope this article has provided clarity and deepened your reflection on the current situation. Information is a weapon against oblivion and manipulation, and every action—no matter how small— contributes to change.
NOW YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, LET YOUR VOICE COUNT!
✔ Share this article widely to raise awareness in your circles.
✔ Sign the petition for a ceasefire if you haven’t already, and encourage others to do the same.
✔ Commit to choosing our leaders consciously, looking beyond electoral rhetoric and demanding real action in favor of justice and peace.
Because indifference fuels injustice, but mobilization can change the course of history—never forget that.
With peace and love,
Jennifer
#IsraeliPalestinianConflict #HumanRightsViolations #PeaceForAll #MiddleEastCrisis #DiplomacyMatters #FreePalestine
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Useful sources
Report of the UN Secretary General : Children and armed conflict
Communiqué de presse UNICEF : Les écoles de Gaza, transformées en abris, sont régulièrement la cible d’attaques qui les placent en première ligne du conflit
Article « Anatomie d’un génocide ». Le rapport de Francesca Albanese sur la situation à Gaza.
Article EuroNews : L'UE financerait les drones utilisés par Israël à Gaza
Article Courrier International : Décision. La Cour internationale de justice épingle Israël sur la guerre à Gaza
Article TV5Monde : Israël - Afrique du Sud : quelles réactions à la décision historique de la CIJ ?
Article TV5Monde : Guerre à Gaza : l'Afrique du sud accuse Israël de génocide.
Communiqué Human Right Watch : Trump condamné à juste titre pour ses déclarations sur Gaza :
Article Amnesty International : Investigation concludes Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza
Association France Palestine : Cartes et plan des colonies Israéliennes
France Palestine : Communiqué de l'AFPS : Union européenne - Israël : pas d’accord avec le génocide, l’occupation, la colonisation et l’apartheid
Copyright© Photo:
Evolution de la Palestine depuis 1946 ©Association France Palestine
UNICEF ©UNI676919/El Baba
Jerusalem Mont du Temple, le Mur des Lamentations et le Dôme du Rocher ©IstockDmitry Vinogradov
EU members flags in front of the European Parliament ©Istock AdrianHancu
Drapeau Isarel/Palestine ©Istock Stadtratte
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