History is most critical here, particularly the history of Israeli deception. From its onset, Zionist colonialism justified its rule over Palestine based on a series of fabrications
THE history of Zionism is fundamentally one of deception. This assertion is critical today as it contextualises President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace proposal, which appears to be little more than a veiled strategy to defeat the Palestinians and facilitate the ethnic cleansing of a significant portion of Gaza’s population.
Since the start of the current conflict, the US has been Israel’s staunchest ally, going as far as framing the slaughter of Palestinian civilians as Israel’s “right to defend itself.” This position is defined by the wholesale criminalisation of all Palestinians — civilians and combatants, women, children and men alike.
Any naive hope that the Trump administration might restrain Israel has proven to be unfounded. Both the Democratic administration of Joe Biden and the Republican administration of his successor have been enthusiastic partners in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s messianic mission. The difference has been primarily rhetorical. While Biden wrapped his staunch support in liberal discourse, Trump is more direct, using the language of overt threats.
Both administrations sought to hand Netanyahu a victory, even when his war failed to achieve its strategic objectives. Biden used his secretary of state, Antony Blinken, as an emissary to broker a ceasefire fully tailored to Israeli priorities. Similarly, Trump has utilised his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and former British prime minister Tony Blair, among others, to concoct a parallel ploy.
Netanyahu deftly exploited both administrations. The Trump era, however, saw the pro-Israeli lobby in the US and Israel seemingly dictate American foreign policy. A clear sign of this dynamic was the famous scene in April, during Netanyahu’s White House visit, when the “America First” president pulled out a chair for him. The summoning of Blair, who once headed the US-controlled Middle East Quartet, to the White House alongside Kushner in August was another foreboding signal. It was evident that Israel and the US were planning a much larger scheme: one not only to crush Gaza but to prevent any attempt to resurrect the Palestinian cause altogether.
While 10 countries were declaring their recognition of the state of Palestine to applause at the UN General Assembly last month, the US and Israel were preparing to reveal their grand strategy, with critical contributions from Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister of strategic affairs.
Trump’s Gaza proposal was announced on September 29. Almost immediately, several countries, including strong supporters of Palestine, declared their backing. This support was given without realising that the latest iteration of the plan was substantially altered from what had been discussed by Trump and Arab and Muslim leaders in New York on September 24.
Trump announced that the proposal had been accepted by Israel and threatened Hamas that, if it did not accept it within “three or four days,” then “it’s going to be a very sad end.” Still, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who, along with the UN, has largely failed to hold Israel accountable, declared his support for the Trump proposal, stating that “it is now crucial that all parties commit to an agreement and its implementation.”
Massacres Continue
Netanyahu felt a newfound elation, believing the weight of international pressure was finally lifting and the onus was shifting to the Palestinians. He reportedly said that “now the whole world, including the Arab and Muslim World, is pressuring Hamas to accept the conditions.” Comfortable that the pendulum had swung in his favour, he openly restated his objectives in Gaza on September 30: “To release all our hostages, both the living and the deceased, while the (Israeli army) remains in most of the Strip.” Even when Arab and Muslim nations protested the amendments to the initial Trump plan, neither Netanyahu nor Trump relented, the former continuing the massacres and the latter repeating his threats.
The implication is stark: regardless of the Palestinian position, Israel will continue to push for the ethnic cleansing of the Strip using both military and nonmilitary means. The plan envisions Gaza and the West Bank being administered as two separate entities, with the Strip falling under the direct control of Trump’s so-called Board of Peace, thus effectively turning Blair and Kushner into the new colonial rulers of Palestine.
History is most critical here, particularly the history of Israeli deception. Since its onset, Zionist colonialism has justified its rule over Palestine based on a series of fabrications: that European settlers held essential historical links to the land; the erroneous claim that Palestine was a “land without a people;” the assertion that indigenous natives were intruders; and the stereotype that Arabs are inherently antisemitic. Consequently, the state of Israel, built on ethnically cleansed Palestinian land, was falsely marketed as a “beacon” of peace and democracy.
Imposed ‘Peace Deal’
This web of falsehoods deepened and became more accentuated after every massacre and war. When Israel faltered in managing its military efforts or its propaganda war, the US invariably intervened. A prime example is the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, when a “peace deal” was imposed on the Palestine Liberation Organisation under US pressure. Thanks to US envoy Philip Habib’s efforts, Palestinian fighters left Beirut for exile on the understanding that this step would spare thousands of civilian lives. Tragically, the opposite occurred, as this move directly paved the way for the Sabra and Shatila massacre and a prolonged Israeli occupation of Lebanon.
This historical pattern is repeating itself in Gaza today, though the options are now starker. Palestinians face a choice between the guaranteed defeat of Gaza — accompanied by a nonguaranteed, temporary slowdown of the genocide — and the continuation of mass slaughter. Unlike the Israeli deception in Lebanon four decades ago, however, Netanyahu is making no effort to mask his vile intentions. Will the world allow him to get away with this deception and genocide?
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Dr Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and the Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of six books. He is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA). His website is www.ramzybaroud.net
