As the conventional wisdom goes – especially in the West – Israel is the "only democracy" in the Middle East. And that is so, particularly for its Jewish citizens. However Israel has been anything but democratic for the indigenous people of the land, the Palestinian Arabs.
By nature and precedence, foreign military occupation is temporary. Colonialism on the other hand, and more precisely civilian colonisation, is a socio-political system of ruling over another people.
Since its inception at the end of the 19th century, Zionism preached self-determination for the Jewish people in "their" homeland. In reality, Israel has directly or indirectly driven Palestinians out of their homeland, confiscated their properties, rejected their right to return to their homeland despite UN resolutions, and occupied and colonised the rest of their homeland for the last four decades.
Throughout, Israeli military and security services ruled over another people against their will. They oppressed, tortured, exploited and robbed the Palestinians of their land, water and most importantly, their freedom. There has been more political prisoners in Israeli jails than any of its neighbours.
In denial over their predicament, Israeli leaders have taken shelter in the illusion of surplus morality. This was best expressed by late Israeli prime minister Golda Meir, who warned the Arabs: "We can forgive you for killing our sons. But we will never forgive you for making us kill yours."
A wild illustration of Israeli chutzpah.
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