Whilst the Hamas attack & resultant casualties is unforgivable the current Israeli Government must take some of the blame. They have been supporting settler moves to take more property & land which is illegal. Also advice for folk in Gaza to move from their homes to avoid attack is not realistic - where can they go? Basically Isreal 'you reap what you sow'.
It hasn't helped that the Minister of the Interior is the Kach terrorist Ben Gvir - the settlers (mostly fundamentalist Americans; we do such a good job of spreading our ignorance and celebrating it) have been attacking Palestinians in the West Bank secure in the knowledge the police will find the victims to be the guilty parties.
In 1944 the American Zionist Organization unanimously adopted a resolution which demanded all of Palestine, undivided and undiminished, for a future Jewish Commonwealth. The resolution did not even mention the existence of Palestinian Arabs.
Since then, the Israelis have succeeded in building a strong state in a modest territory — but it must be exhausting to always have to be the strong boy in the class who always must show how strong you are.
What if the Israelis recognize that there are Arabs in the area, that Israel wants coexistence, and that Israel pursues a policy consistent with that wish? It would be less exhausting.
It would be less exhausting, but only conditional on Palestine reciprocating the same desire for coexistence. Perhaps some sort of agreement would have been possible in the past, when the PLO was the biggest player in Palestinian politics; but as long as Hamas controls Gaza, a peaceful two-state solution is impossible.
Dr. Freedman - could you go into the history of how the Israeli security agencies created Hamas in the 80s as a way to "divide and conquer" the Palestinian movement? It's the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. People in the West (particularly the US, the most uninformed country in the world) know virtually nothing about this, and as you (and I; I am also a military historian) know, you cannot understand the present if you do not understand the past. thanks.
Everyone is entitled to a view without being mocked; such is the point of academic discussion. I did a Masters at Kings in War Studies and specialised on the Middle East and Russia, so I am
no novice. But no view should be mocked as long as it is not spreading hatred or disinformation. If you are a teacher as well as a war historian, I hope you afford your students this empathy. It is very easy to run away from learning if you are laughed at. Thank you Mr Freedman for your insightful article which, in its length, cannot be expected to cover every single historical angle.
Great refresh of the history that has gotten us to this point. There is no excuse for Hamas’ actions and surprise attack targeting civilians in large measure. However, the fact that Palestinians in Gaza live in an open air prison created by the Israelis, confiscate land and housing of Palestinians in the West Bank to satisfy the increasingly radical Orthodox Jews, and Netanyahu’s corruption, authoritarian slide, and fracturing of Israeli society exacerbated by Netanyahu, should we be surprised at this? The only surprise might be it too so long to happen.
In the big picture, Israeli attacks in Gaza, if indiscriminate as I suspect they will be, will in the long run further isolate Israel globally as an apartheid state and failing democracy in which Arab and Secular citizens are being treated as second class to the ultra Orthodox Jews driving current policy and further fracture Israeli society.
Really good clear analysis. It feels so utterly tragic. Throughout my life I've seen hopes of a peaceful two state solution raised and dashed. I still want to feel hope but it's becoming so very difficult. I grew up in Belfast and there were often comparisons made with the Troubles, I don't think the situations are comparable at all. At times like this though I think of the terrified children hearing the bombings and looking to adults to make it go away, but they can't.
Sharon didn't visit the Al Aqsa Mosque, he visited the Temple Mount. Similarly, settlers storming the Al Aqsa complex is using the extremist Palestinian framing, when what happened is Jews walking around the Temple Mount, as Sharon did. Terror groups have long used that as a pretext for violence.
Hamas (and Iran) want the end of the states of Israel as Putin wants the end of Ukraine. So in each case there is no path to peace except through war. There is no guarantee that Israel or Ukraine win, of course.
Whilst not denying the presumption of your comment, conflating Hamas/Iran and Israel, Russia and Ukraine is not helpful. There are paths that do not run through war.
Thank you for this overview. On Israeli social media there's a lot of hotheaded talk about 'puushing out' or even 'eliminating' Gazans as a whole, not just Hamas. To what extent are such steps likely to stay taboo in Israeli government circles? Especially given the scale of horror still emerging. (I've already seen former officials advocate cutting off food & water supplies to the strip, which given its density will eventually amount to the same thing...)
They can’t do that: it would be another Nagorno Karabakh. Hamas is not all of Gaza. As always, its the extremist population. I
understand. But if history tells us anything, Israel won’t lie down and look weak. My only concern is global escalation with Hezbollah and Iran coming in. As Dr Freedman says, the long war benefits the militant wing of Hamas and will percolate further hatred. I have always been appalled at the blockade of Gaza and its humanitarian implications, but ai worry about more countries being pulled in when there is already war in Ukraine 🇺🇦
Lawrence, I would find your views on the present state of the Geneva Conventions (including the related protocols) in the light of the wars in Ukraine, and in and near Israel.
I find it very sad that not all states have ratified all protocols. Notably, there are several states (including, regrettably, Israel and the USA) that have not ratified Protocols I and II that provide protection to civilians and to facilities such as water supplies. What is the hope for the future of International Humanitarian law in the circumstances of today?
(To save anyone having to look up which other states have not ratified these protocols, the notable ones are India, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.)
Whilst the Hamas attack & resultant casualties is unforgivable the current Israeli Government must take some of the blame. They have been supporting settler moves to take more property & land which is illegal. Also advice for folk in Gaza to move from their homes to avoid attack is not realistic - where can they go? Basically Isreal 'you reap what you sow'.
It hasn't helped that the Minister of the Interior is the Kach terrorist Ben Gvir - the settlers (mostly fundamentalist Americans; we do such a good job of spreading our ignorance and celebrating it) have been attacking Palestinians in the West Bank secure in the knowledge the police will find the victims to be the guilty parties.
In 1944 the American Zionist Organization unanimously adopted a resolution which demanded all of Palestine, undivided and undiminished, for a future Jewish Commonwealth. The resolution did not even mention the existence of Palestinian Arabs.
Since then, the Israelis have succeeded in building a strong state in a modest territory — but it must be exhausting to always have to be the strong boy in the class who always must show how strong you are.
What if the Israelis recognize that there are Arabs in the area, that Israel wants coexistence, and that Israel pursues a policy consistent with that wish? It would be less exhausting.
It would be less exhausting, but only conditional on Palestine reciprocating the same desire for coexistence. Perhaps some sort of agreement would have been possible in the past, when the PLO was the biggest player in Palestinian politics; but as long as Hamas controls Gaza, a peaceful two-state solution is impossible.
Date typo in third line from end ? Otherwise timely and excellent as ever on a grim situation that will only get worse.
yes picked that up. changed. Thanks.
Dr. Freedman - could you go into the history of how the Israeli security agencies created Hamas in the 80s as a way to "divide and conquer" the Palestinian movement? It's the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. People in the West (particularly the US, the most uninformed country in the world) know virtually nothing about this, and as you (and I; I am also a military historian) know, you cannot understand the present if you do not understand the past. thanks.
Neither side is a Saint and there are extremists on both
Thank you for your deeply insightful view.
Everyone is entitled to a view without being mocked; such is the point of academic discussion. I did a Masters at Kings in War Studies and specialised on the Middle East and Russia, so I am
no novice. But no view should be mocked as long as it is not spreading hatred or disinformation. If you are a teacher as well as a war historian, I hope you afford your students this empathy. It is very easy to run away from learning if you are laughed at. Thank you Mr Freedman for your insightful article which, in its length, cannot be expected to cover every single historical angle.
I wasn't mocking you, though on re-reading I can see how it would be taken that way.
I think there is but it might be simpler to email - lawrence.freedman@kcl.ac.uk
Great refresh of the history that has gotten us to this point. There is no excuse for Hamas’ actions and surprise attack targeting civilians in large measure. However, the fact that Palestinians in Gaza live in an open air prison created by the Israelis, confiscate land and housing of Palestinians in the West Bank to satisfy the increasingly radical Orthodox Jews, and Netanyahu’s corruption, authoritarian slide, and fracturing of Israeli society exacerbated by Netanyahu, should we be surprised at this? The only surprise might be it too so long to happen.
In the big picture, Israeli attacks in Gaza, if indiscriminate as I suspect they will be, will in the long run further isolate Israel globally as an apartheid state and failing democracy in which Arab and Secular citizens are being treated as second class to the ultra Orthodox Jews driving current policy and further fracture Israeli society.
Really good clear analysis. It feels so utterly tragic. Throughout my life I've seen hopes of a peaceful two state solution raised and dashed. I still want to feel hope but it's becoming so very difficult. I grew up in Belfast and there were often comparisons made with the Troubles, I don't think the situations are comparable at all. At times like this though I think of the terrified children hearing the bombings and looking to adults to make it go away, but they can't.
Sharon didn't visit the Al Aqsa Mosque, he visited the Temple Mount. Similarly, settlers storming the Al Aqsa complex is using the extremist Palestinian framing, when what happened is Jews walking around the Temple Mount, as Sharon did. Terror groups have long used that as a pretext for violence.
Hamas (and Iran) want the end of the states of Israel as Putin wants the end of Ukraine. So in each case there is no path to peace except through war. There is no guarantee that Israel or Ukraine win, of course.
Whilst not denying the presumption of your comment, conflating Hamas/Iran and Israel, Russia and Ukraine is not helpful. There are paths that do not run through war.
True, but escalation could lead to complications and involvement of third parties if people aren’t careful
We can’t finance another war
Thank you for this overview. On Israeli social media there's a lot of hotheaded talk about 'puushing out' or even 'eliminating' Gazans as a whole, not just Hamas. To what extent are such steps likely to stay taboo in Israeli government circles? Especially given the scale of horror still emerging. (I've already seen former officials advocate cutting off food & water supplies to the strip, which given its density will eventually amount to the same thing...)
They can’t do that: it would be another Nagorno Karabakh. Hamas is not all of Gaza. As always, its the extremist population. I
understand. But if history tells us anything, Israel won’t lie down and look weak. My only concern is global escalation with Hezbollah and Iran coming in. As Dr Freedman says, the long war benefits the militant wing of Hamas and will percolate further hatred. I have always been appalled at the blockade of Gaza and its humanitarian implications, but ai worry about more countries being pulled in when there is already war in Ukraine 🇺🇦
Prof Freedman
Is there a way of sending you a private message via sub stack ?
Lawrence, I would find your views on the present state of the Geneva Conventions (including the related protocols) in the light of the wars in Ukraine, and in and near Israel.
I find it very sad that not all states have ratified all protocols. Notably, there are several states (including, regrettably, Israel and the USA) that have not ratified Protocols I and II that provide protection to civilians and to facilities such as water supplies. What is the hope for the future of International Humanitarian law in the circumstances of today?
(To save anyone having to look up which other states have not ratified these protocols, the notable ones are India, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.)
I should have said "I would find your views interesting!
“Settlers storming Al Aqsa mosque” might IMO have been more appropriate in quotation marks