Hamas led group killed and kidnapped many that resulted in the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Why are radicals in and around European elite countries and mainly radical students in America protesting against Israel and not against Hamas a terrorist organisation?
The protests observed in and around European countries and among students in America, which are predominantly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, stem from a complex interplay of factors. While the October 7th attack by Hamas, which involved the killing and kidnapping of Israelis, is acknowledged as the immediate trigger for the Israeli invasion, protestors often highlight a broader context and a different set of concerns that lead them to focus their criticism on Israel.
Here are some of the key reasons cited by analysts and the protestors themselves:
Scale of Response and Civilian Casualties: A primary driver of the protests is the sheer scale of Palestinian casualties, including a high number of women and children, and the widespread destruction of infrastructure in Gaza resulting from Israel's military operations. Many protestors view Israel's response as disproportionate to the initial Hamas attack and a form of collective punishment against the entire Gazan population. The dire humanitarian crisis, including lack of food, water, and medical supplies, further fuels this outrage.
Historical Context and Occupation: Protestors often frame the current conflict within the decades-long history of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle. They point to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the blockade of Gaza (in place since Hamas took control in 2007), settlement expansion, and the displacement of Palestinians as root causes of the conflict. From this perspective, Hamas's actions, while condemned by many, are sometimes seen as a violent manifestation of resistance against a prolonged occupation.
Perceived Power Imbalance: There's a strong perception among protestors of a significant power imbalance between Israel, a state with a sophisticated military and strong international allies (particularly the United States), and the Palestinians, who lack a state and comparable military or economic power. This leads many to sympathize with the Palestinians as the weaker party and to scrutinize the actions of the more powerful entity more intensely.
Accountability of State Actors: Protestors often argue that states, like Israel, should be held to a higher standard of accountability under international law and human rights conventions than non-state actors like Hamas. They focus on the actions of the Israeli government and military, demanding adherence to international humanitarian law and investigations into alleged war crimes.
Criticism of Western Foreign Policy: In many Western countries, especially the United States, protests against Israeli actions are also implicitly or explicitly a critique of their own government's foreign policy. This includes long-standing military aid to Israel, diplomatic support, and perceived unwillingness to hold Israel accountable for actions that draw international criticism. Protestors often demand that their governments take a stronger stance against Israeli policies and advocate for a ceasefire and Palestinian rights.
Distinction Between Hamas and the Palestinian People: Many protestors emphasize that their criticism of Israeli policy is not an endorsement of Hamas. They state they are advocating for the human rights and self-determination of the Palestinian people, who are seen as victims of both Hamas's rule in Gaza and Israeli military actions. However, critics of the protests often argue that there isn't sufficient condemnation of Hamas's ideology and tactics by these groups.
Concerns over "Genocide" or "Ethnic Cleansing": Some protestors and activist groups have adopted strong language, accusing Israel of committing acts tantamount to genocide or ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Such severe accusations galvanize intense opposition to Israeli policies and actions.
It's important to note that the motivations and views within these protest movements are diverse. While the predominant focus has been on criticizing Israel's conduct, this does not universally mean an absence of condemnation for Hamas's October 7th attack. However, the emphasis of the protests has largely been on the devastating humanitarian impact of the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza and the broader historical context of the conflict.
The protests observed in some European countries and among students in America following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7th and the subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza are driven by a complex set of factors. While these protests are often characterized by their strong criticism of Israel, the reasons for not focusing equally or primarily on Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, are multifaceted.
Here are some of the key perspectives and motivations often cited by or attributed to these protestors:
Focus on State Actions and Asymmetry of Power:
Many protestors view Israel as a powerful state actor with a sophisticated military, often supported by Western governments (including their own). They focus their criticism on what they perceive as a disproportionate response by the Israeli military, leading to a high number of civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The significant power imbalance between Israel and the Palestinians, particularly Hamas in Gaza, leads many protestors to hold the more powerful entity to a higher standard of accountability for its actions and their impact on civilians.
Humanitarian Concerns and Civilian Casualties:
The sheer scale of death and destruction in Gaza, including the deaths of thousands of children and women, and the dire humanitarian situation (lack of food, water, medical supplies, and shelter) are primary drivers for many protestors. Their focus is often on stopping the immediate suffering and calling for a ceasefire.
Historical Context and Occupation:
Protestors frequently frame the current conflict within the broader historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories, the blockade of Gaza, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and the displacement of Palestinians. From this perspective, Hamas's actions, while not necessarily condoned, are sometimes seen as a consequence of or resistance to this long-standing situation.
Criticism of Own Government's Policies:
In the U.S. and some European countries, protestors often criticize their own governments' foreign policies, including military aid to Israel, arms sales, and diplomatic support, which they see as enabling Israeli actions. Their protests are, in part, a demand for their own governments to exert pressure on Israel or change their supportive stance.
Calls for Divestment and Boycott (BDS Movement):
Many student protests, in particular, are linked to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for broad-based economic, academic, and cultural boycotts of Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. These campaigns inherently focus on Israeli institutions and policies.
Perception of War Crimes and International Law:
Protestors often accuse Israel of committing war crimes and violating international humanitarian law in its military operations in Gaza. They call for investigations and accountability through international bodies.
Differing Views on Hamas:
While Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., EU, and other countries, and its targeting of civilians on October 7th was widely condemned, some protestors may have a more nuanced or critical view of this designation in the context of what they see as an anti-colonial or resistance struggle.
It's also important to note that some protestors or groups do condemn Hamas's actions but choose to focus their activism on the actions of Israel, which they see as a state with greater power and responsibility, and potentially more susceptible to international pressure or pressure from their own governments.
For some, the demand to explicitly condemn Hamas before criticizing Israel is viewed as a tactic to deflect attention from Israeli actions.
Free Speech and Anti-War Stance:
Many protestors are driven by a broader anti-war sentiment and a commitment to free speech, advocating for the rights of Palestinians and criticizing what they see as oppression.
It's crucial to understand that these protest movements are not monolithic. Participants come from diverse backgrounds, including Jewish students and groups who are critical of Israeli government policies. Their motivations can vary, but a common thread is often a focus on the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict on Palestinians in Gaza and a critique of Israeli state policies, viewed through lenses of human rights, international law, and social justice.
The charge that these protests are antisemitic is a contentious issue. While protest organizers often explicitly state their opposition to antisemitism, some incidents of antisemitic rhetoric or actions have been reported at or around these protests, leading to concerns for the safety and well-being of Jewish communities. Conversely, many protestors, including Jewish participants, argue that criticism of Israeli government policies should not be conflated with antisemitism.
By Jo Ikeji-Uju
https://afriprime.net/pages/Anything
Hamas led group killed and kidnapped many that resulted in the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Why are radicals in and around European elite countries and mainly radical students in America protesting against Israel and not against Hamas a terrorist organisation?
The protests observed in and around European countries and among students in America, which are predominantly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, stem from a complex interplay of factors. While the October 7th attack by Hamas, which involved the killing and kidnapping of Israelis, is acknowledged as the immediate trigger for the Israeli invasion, protestors often highlight a broader context and a different set of concerns that lead them to focus their criticism on Israel.
Here are some of the key reasons cited by analysts and the protestors themselves:
Scale of Response and Civilian Casualties: A primary driver of the protests is the sheer scale of Palestinian casualties, including a high number of women and children, and the widespread destruction of infrastructure in Gaza resulting from Israel's military operations. Many protestors view Israel's response as disproportionate to the initial Hamas attack and a form of collective punishment against the entire Gazan population. The dire humanitarian crisis, including lack of food, water, and medical supplies, further fuels this outrage.
Historical Context and Occupation: Protestors often frame the current conflict within the decades-long history of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle. They point to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the blockade of Gaza (in place since Hamas took control in 2007), settlement expansion, and the displacement of Palestinians as root causes of the conflict. From this perspective, Hamas's actions, while condemned by many, are sometimes seen as a violent manifestation of resistance against a prolonged occupation.
Perceived Power Imbalance: There's a strong perception among protestors of a significant power imbalance between Israel, a state with a sophisticated military and strong international allies (particularly the United States), and the Palestinians, who lack a state and comparable military or economic power. This leads many to sympathize with the Palestinians as the weaker party and to scrutinize the actions of the more powerful entity more intensely.
Accountability of State Actors: Protestors often argue that states, like Israel, should be held to a higher standard of accountability under international law and human rights conventions than non-state actors like Hamas. They focus on the actions of the Israeli government and military, demanding adherence to international humanitarian law and investigations into alleged war crimes.
Criticism of Western Foreign Policy: In many Western countries, especially the United States, protests against Israeli actions are also implicitly or explicitly a critique of their own government's foreign policy. This includes long-standing military aid to Israel, diplomatic support, and perceived unwillingness to hold Israel accountable for actions that draw international criticism. Protestors often demand that their governments take a stronger stance against Israeli policies and advocate for a ceasefire and Palestinian rights.
Distinction Between Hamas and the Palestinian People: Many protestors emphasize that their criticism of Israeli policy is not an endorsement of Hamas. They state they are advocating for the human rights and self-determination of the Palestinian people, who are seen as victims of both Hamas's rule in Gaza and Israeli military actions. However, critics of the protests often argue that there isn't sufficient condemnation of Hamas's ideology and tactics by these groups.
Concerns over "Genocide" or "Ethnic Cleansing": Some protestors and activist groups have adopted strong language, accusing Israel of committing acts tantamount to genocide or ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Such severe accusations galvanize intense opposition to Israeli policies and actions.
It's important to note that the motivations and views within these protest movements are diverse. While the predominant focus has been on criticizing Israel's conduct, this does not universally mean an absence of condemnation for Hamas's October 7th attack. However, the emphasis of the protests has largely been on the devastating humanitarian impact of the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza and the broader historical context of the conflict.
The protests observed in some European countries and among students in America following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7th and the subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza are driven by a complex set of factors. While these protests are often characterized by their strong criticism of Israel, the reasons for not focusing equally or primarily on Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, are multifaceted.
Here are some of the key perspectives and motivations often cited by or attributed to these protestors:
Focus on State Actions and Asymmetry of Power:
Many protestors view Israel as a powerful state actor with a sophisticated military, often supported by Western governments (including their own). They focus their criticism on what they perceive as a disproportionate response by the Israeli military, leading to a high number of civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The significant power imbalance between Israel and the Palestinians, particularly Hamas in Gaza, leads many protestors to hold the more powerful entity to a higher standard of accountability for its actions and their impact on civilians.
Humanitarian Concerns and Civilian Casualties:
The sheer scale of death and destruction in Gaza, including the deaths of thousands of children and women, and the dire humanitarian situation (lack of food, water, medical supplies, and shelter) are primary drivers for many protestors. Their focus is often on stopping the immediate suffering and calling for a ceasefire.
Historical Context and Occupation:
Protestors frequently frame the current conflict within the broader historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories, the blockade of Gaza, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and the displacement of Palestinians. From this perspective, Hamas's actions, while not necessarily condoned, are sometimes seen as a consequence of or resistance to this long-standing situation.
Criticism of Own Government's Policies:
In the U.S. and some European countries, protestors often criticize their own governments' foreign policies, including military aid to Israel, arms sales, and diplomatic support, which they see as enabling Israeli actions. Their protests are, in part, a demand for their own governments to exert pressure on Israel or change their supportive stance.
Calls for Divestment and Boycott (BDS Movement):
Many student protests, in particular, are linked to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for broad-based economic, academic, and cultural boycotts of Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. These campaigns inherently focus on Israeli institutions and policies.
Perception of War Crimes and International Law:
Protestors often accuse Israel of committing war crimes and violating international humanitarian law in its military operations in Gaza. They call for investigations and accountability through international bodies.
Differing Views on Hamas:
While Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., EU, and other countries, and its targeting of civilians on October 7th was widely condemned, some protestors may have a more nuanced or critical view of this designation in the context of what they see as an anti-colonial or resistance struggle.
It's also important to note that some protestors or groups do condemn Hamas's actions but choose to focus their activism on the actions of Israel, which they see as a state with greater power and responsibility, and potentially more susceptible to international pressure or pressure from their own governments.
For some, the demand to explicitly condemn Hamas before criticizing Israel is viewed as a tactic to deflect attention from Israeli actions.
Free Speech and Anti-War Stance:
Many protestors are driven by a broader anti-war sentiment and a commitment to free speech, advocating for the rights of Palestinians and criticizing what they see as oppression.
It's crucial to understand that these protest movements are not monolithic. Participants come from diverse backgrounds, including Jewish students and groups who are critical of Israeli government policies. Their motivations can vary, but a common thread is often a focus on the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict on Palestinians in Gaza and a critique of Israeli state policies, viewed through lenses of human rights, international law, and social justice.
The charge that these protests are antisemitic is a contentious issue. While protest organizers often explicitly state their opposition to antisemitism, some incidents of antisemitic rhetoric or actions have been reported at or around these protests, leading to concerns for the safety and well-being of Jewish communities. Conversely, many protestors, including Jewish participants, argue that criticism of Israeli government policies should not be conflated with antisemitism.
By Jo Ikeji-Uju
https://afriprime.net/pages/Anything
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