On Palestine

Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé's "On Palestine" is a deep dive into the roots and consequences of one of the longest-running conflicts in the modern world. It offers a scathing critique of the Zionist project, exposes the systematic violation of the rights of Palestinians, and asks questions that transcend the region - questions of justice, colonialism, and human rights. The authors combine historical analysis with current realities to show how the power games of the great powers and the unbalanced narratives of the media affect the lives of millions of people. The book also focuses on possible solutions, encouraging readers to reflect on the role of the international community on this complex issue. The authors do not simply present the facts, but open the floor for discussion on how this conflict reflects broader global trends in colonialism, inequality, and double standards in international relations. From analyses of ethnic cleansing to calls for support for campaigns like BDS, their work calls for a proactive approach to solving this crisis, which is not just about Israel and Palestine, but also about basic principles of justice and morality.

The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict go deep into history and are intertwined with the ideologies that have shaped the current form of this conflict. Zionism, as an ideology emerging at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, aimed to create a Jewish state in Palestine, an area of long-standing historical and religious significance. For many Jews, it was a response to persecution and discrimination, but for the indigenous Palestinian population, the project meant the colonization of their homeland. The European powers during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire played a key role in the realisation of this goal. During the First World War, Britain, in the Balfour Declaration of 1917, publicly supported the idea of a Jewish national home in Palestine, ignoring the fact that the territory was already inhabited by a predominantly Arab population. This political move opened the door to a mass migration of Jews, leading to growing tensions between the communities. However, the Zionist project was not just about settlement. It also involved the systematic expropriation of land, the building of infrastructure and the gradual displacement of the Palestinian population. After 1948, when the State of Israel was established, there were mass population transfers, known today as the Nakba (catastrophe). Around 700 thousand Palestinians were forced to leave their homes and became refugees. These events are not just a historical episode; their consequences are still alive today. Zionism is often compared to other colonialist projects, such as the British colonisation of India. The common denominator is the systematic consolidation of power through economic and political instruments that marginalised the indigenous population. Unlike traditional colonies, however, the Zionist project did not lead to the extraction of wealth, but to the creation of a state with a dominant national identity. A significant aspect of this debate lies in the question of the right to self-determination. While Jews had historical and religious ties to Palestine, Palestinian Arabs had lived there for generations. This complicated dynamic raises questions about justice, morality and international law that still divide opinion today. Today, this aspect of the conflict is still visible in the form of settlements in the West Bank. Israeli settlements, often considered illegal under international law, are a continuation of a project that began over a century ago. For Palestinians, they are a symbol of the loss of land and rights, while for many Israelis they represent security and historical claims. Zionism as a form of colonialism is not a simple story of conquest, but a complex set of events that combine historical, ideological and political factors. This historical legacy continues to affect the lives of millions of people and poses a challenge to anyone seeking a just and sustainable solution.

The history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is marked by deep scars of dispossession and violence that Palestinians have experienced since the early 20th century. The process, which culminated in the events known as the 'Nakba' (catastrophe), was accompanied by the systematic displacement of the Palestinian population, the destruction of villages and the seizure of land. These events are one of the most controversial aspects of the creation of the State of Israel, considered by many experts to be ethnic cleansing. In 1948, during the Arab-Israeli war, approximately 700 thousand Palestinians were expelled from their homes. This mass exodus was often accompanied by violence. Villages such as Deir Yassin have become emblematic of this tragedy, as their inhabitants were massacred in an attempt to intimidate others into leaving. Historians, including Ilan Pappé, have documented how these actions were planned and carried out, underscoring the severity of their impact. Palestinians who found themselves homeless faced years of life in refugee camps, often in inhumane conditions. Despite international calls for the return of these refugees, Israel insisted that their readmission would threaten the demographic balance of the state. This situation, however, has not just become a thing of the past. Today, millions of Palestinians are still stateless, living in exile or in the occupied territories under heavy military control. Violations of the human rights of Palestinians continue in many forms. In the occupied territories, they face restrictions on movement, house demolitions and limited access to basic resources such as water. In the Gaza Strip, which is under Israeli blockade, the situation is even more critical, with residents living in conditions that international organisations have described as a 'humanitarian catastrophe'. This systematic oppression is often accompanied by a lack of justice. Cases of violence against Palestinians, whether by the army or by settlers, are rarely properly investigated. These practices create an atmosphere of impunity that deepens frustration and conflict. Ethnic cleansing and systematic violations of rights are not just a historical phenomenon, but part of the daily reality of Palestinians. This issue raises serious ethical and political dilemmas that have global implications. The role of the international community has been contradictory, ranging from tacit tolerance of these practices to efforts to redress them, which often run into political obstacles. This aspect of the conflict points not only to the tragedy of one group, but also to the universal issue of the protection of human rights and dignity. Changing this state of affairs is only possible through just solutions that take into account the past but work towards equality and peace for all the inhabitants of the region.

The two-state solution, long seen as the key to peace between Israel and Palestine, is increasingly being challenged as ineffective and unrealistic. This idea, which has its roots in the 1947 UN partition plan for Palestine, presupposes the existence of two independent states, one Jewish and one Palestinian. Although it seems fair at first sight, the reality on the ground reveals its weaknesses. One of the main problems is the constant expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which has severely disrupted the continuity of the Palestinian territory. These settlements, often accompanied by military checkpoints and a network of roads accessible only to Israelis, divide Palestinian areas into small isolated enclaves. In practice, this means that a Palestinian state would be fragmented and unsustainable. Jerusalem, which is the cultural and religious centre of both peoples, represents another stumbling block. Israel regards it as its capital, while the Palestinians claim its eastern part as their future capital. This dispute is so deep that any attempts at compromise will be resisted by both sides. The issue of Palestinian refugees raises the same concerns. The two-state solution does not address their right of return, which is a key point in the Palestinian struggle for justice. For Israel, the return of millions of Palestinian refugees is unacceptable because it would endanger its Jewish majority. However, Palestinians see ignoring this right as a continuation of historical injustice. In addition to the geographic and demographic challenges, it is also problematic that political leaders on both sides have limited will to genuinely resolve the conflict. Israeli politicians, especially from right-wing circles, often reject a two-state solution in favor of further settlement expansion. On the other hand, the Palestinian leadership is weakened by internal divisions and the loss of confidence of its population. The international community, particularly the United States, continues to hold on to the two-state solution as official policy, but its actions are often unrelated to the reality on the ground. Although the UN and other organisations have condemned settlements and rights violations, there is no mechanism to ensure that international law is respected. A growing number of experts and activists are therefore proposing an alternative - a one-state solution in which Palestinians and Israelis would live together in a democratic state with equal rights for all. However, this idea is met with deep mistrust and fears of a possible loss of identity and cultural autonomy. Critics of the two-state solution stress that resolving the conflict requires more than just the division of territory. It is necessary to overcome historical traumas, inequalities and an unwillingness to engage in genuine dialogue. Only in this way can a sustainable peace be achieved that respects the rights and dignity of all the inhabitants of the region.

The international community has a crucial role to play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, not only as a facilitator of peace negotiations, but also as a key actor that can influence the evolution of the situation through economic, political and moral instruments. Against this background, the BDS movement (boycott, divestment and sanctions) has emerged as one of the most important initiatives seeking justice for the Palestinians. The BDS movement was founded in 2005 by Palestinian activists as a non-violent form of resistance to the occupation and apartheid. It aims to pressure Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories, respect the rights of Palestinian refugees and ensure equal rights for all people in the region. BDS draws inspiration from the successful struggle against apartheid in South Africa, where international boycotts played a significant role in bringing down a racist regime. However, the international community is divided over the BDS movement. While some countries and organisations, such as Amnesty International, express support for the movement, others, notably the United States and the European Union, take a cautious or negative stance. Israel itself describes BDS as an anti-Semitic movement and has taken legislative measures to suppress it, including laws that punish foreign companies or individuals supporting the boycott. The key question is how the international community can effectively influence the situation without deepening polarisation. On the one hand, there is the diplomatic route, based on negotiations and support for peaceful initiatives, and on the other, economic and political sanctions that can bring immediate pressure to change behaviour. Historically, however, diplomacy has often failed because it has not taken into account the unequal power relationship between Israel and Palestine. At the same time, BDS points to double standards in international relations. While human rights violations in other parts of the world are often sanctioned, in the case of Israel the international community faces hesitancy to act. This inaction is often attributed to geopolitical concerns, particularly the strong alliance between Israel and the United States, as well as fear of accusations of anti-Semitism. The significance of the BDS movement, however, goes beyond the political arena. Its efforts also focus on informing the public and changing the narrative about the conflict. Through campaigns such as boycotts of Israeli products or cultural events, it draws attention to issues facing Palestinians that are often overlooked or distorted in the Western media. The future of international engagement and the BDS movement depends on the ability to evoke global solidarity and promote just solutions. Although not all of its actions are universally accepted, BDS has played a key role in opening up the debate about accountability and the need for the international community to take a proactive approach to one of the longest-running crises of the modern world. However, real change can only come about if the actions of global actors are accompanied by a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and to put justice before political convenience.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the world's most publicized conflicts, yet the way Western media and US policy have approached its portrayal and resolution has come under increasing criticism. The tone and framing of coverage, along with the unwavering support for Israel by US political elites, is seen by many as distorting public perception and deepening injustice against the Palestinian population. Western media are often accused of unbalanced coverage of the conflict. Examples show that while Israeli victims of attacks are described in detail with emotional emphasis, Palestinian victims are often anonymized or labeled as part of the statistics. Similarly, language is used that downplays Israeli military action, with terms such as 'self-defence' or 'response to terror' dominating coverage. Conversely, Palestinian protests and resistance are regularly labelled as violent, contributing to the stereotyping of Palestinians as aggressors. US policy towards Israel is another point of criticism. The US is Israel's biggest supporter, not only politically, but also economically and militarily. It provides billions of dollars a year in financial packages, which include military aid and investment in Israel's defences, including the controversial 'Iron Dome' system. This support is often motivated not only by geopolitical interests, but also by internal factors, such as the influence of the powerful Israel lobby in American politics. Critics point out that the US reluctance to open a critical debate on Israeli policy creates a double standard in the human rights field. While other countries are harshly criticized or sanctioned for similar practices, such as occupation or violations of international law, Israel faces minimal pressure. This selectivity undermines the credibility of US foreign policy and its efforts to promote democracy and human rights around the world. One of the most controversial aspects is the blocking of UN resolutions against Israel. The United States has repeatedly used its veto power to shield Israel from international condemnation, thereby blocking a number of initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict or holding it accountable for human rights violations. This attitude reinforces Israel's perception that it can act without fear of repercussions. At the same time, however, Western media and US policy are subject to increasing pressure from the public and activist groups. Social media and alternative sources of information are increasingly revealing the reality on the ground, leading to a polarization of opinion. Protests and campaigns, such as the BDS movement, are forcing mainstream media and politicians to address issues that have long been marginalized. This critique is not just about media and political decisions, but about the broader issue of accountability and moral leadership. If the Western media and the US are to play a constructive role in this conflict, they need to examine their biases, open up space for more objective reporting, and promote fair solutions that respect the rights of both sides. On the road to lasting peace, it is essential that they be a voice of reconciliation and not of reinforcement of existing inequalities.

"On Palestine" is more than just a book about one conflict; it is a call for justice, equality, and recognition of the right to live in dignity for all. Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé do not offer easy answers, but their analysis is an important contribution to understanding why the Israeli-Palestinian conflict persists and what steps are needed to resolve it. The book shows that without open dialogue, international pressure and a rethinking of dominant narratives, a just peace will remain a distant vision. The authors also emphasize that conflict resolution requires more than political agreements - it needs a change in perception and attitude that begins with respect for the historical and cultural realities of both sides. Through calls for support for movements like BDS, critiques of Western media and U.S. policy, and analysis of the two-state solution, Chomsky and Pappé inspire readers to think not only about this conflict but also about the broader implications of injustice in the world. The book thus serves as an important memento that the path to peace is difficult but possible-if we are willing to face the truth and take action. Do you have feedback for us? We'd love it if you let us know your opinion on our content! Just send an email to feedback@rewio.app with the title of this book in the subject line and share your impressions!