Why a Jewish-only state necessitates a program of genocide

I recently wrote an article that quoted comments made by Israeli heroes and leaders since 1923. Below, I include an update that demonstrates that Israel’s agenda remains constant.

Allow me to introduce Deputy Speaker of Knesset Moshe Feiglin who said in a speech last month, “Gaza must be more brutally attacked until Jews will be placed there, giving rise to the displacement of Palestinians. After completing the offensive, the Israeli army will seize Gaza by applying every kind of preventive measures in order to prevent any damage to our soldiers.”

Feiglin claimed that Gaza is a part of Israeli land historically and Jews will live there forever. Gaza will be a part of Israel and this will help solve the housing problem.

Feiglin’s presentation followed that of Ayelet Shaked, a member of the ultra-nationalist Jewish Home, who called for the slaughter of Palestinian mothers because they gave birth to little snakes.

These two are members of the Knesset with a large constituency and they are not extreme fringe “crazies.” They are part of Israel’s mainstream although they might benefit from sensitivity training.

Still, Mr. Feiglin’s candid words allow us to see, once again, the continuing Israeli agenda . . . maintaining and expanding a Jewish state even if it necessitates using apartheid and genocide programs on the Palestinian communities.

On July 12, Deputy Speaker of Knesset Moshe Feiglin threw out three Arab Muslim deputies for calling Israeli soldiers “murderers.” In Israel’s democracy, we encourage an exchange of ideas and points of view unless they’re not popular with the majority view.

The reason I am quoting Mr. Feiglin and Ms. Shaked is becaue there is a history, going back as far as 1923, of inflammatory statements being made by Israeli leaders and spokespeople that reveals not only their feelings about Palestinians, but their plans as well.

In 1923, radical Zionist Ze’ev Jabotinsky—spiritual father of not only of Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin but of Brooklyn Rabbi Meir Kahane—wrote: “The ‘sole way’ for Jews to deal with Arabs in Palestine was through ‘total avoidance of all attempts to arrive at a settlement.’”

David Ben-Gurion, May 1948, to the General Staff. From Ben-Gurion, A Biography, by Michael Ben-Zohar, Delacorte, New York 1978: ”We must use terror, assassination, intimidation, land confiscation, and the cutting of all social services to rid the Galilee of its Arab population.”

The list of quotes include those made by such honorees as Menahim Begin, Ariel Sharon, Moshe Dayan, etc., etc., etc. Each one of the above stated the same goals and intentions . . . get the Palestinians out of the area and make sure there is no settlement; Palestinians are not to return.

Those who defend Israel always begin their defense with, “If Hamas would stop firing missiles, there would be peace.” No attention is paid to the historical context of issues and Israel’s ultimate goal in making Greater Israel a state for Jews only.

Let’s look at some of the variables in this latest assault on Gaza. Keep in mind Israel’s real goal.

1. It is announced that Hamas and the PLO will be uniting as a single government in the Palestinian territories.
2. Netanyahu expresses his anger and refuses to recognize this new unity government.
3. Three Israeli students are abducted. No one knows who is responsible, but the Israeli’s know almost immediately that the boys have been killed.
4. Hamas is blamed by Netanyahu despite claiming they had nothing to do with the kidnapping and murders.
5. Netanyahu does not share the information that the boys have been killed with the public or the parents of the 3 boys. Instead he directs the military to expand their search. In their search, they invade Gaza, destroying homes and arresting over 400 Palestinians and imprisoning them with no evidence that they committed any crime.
6. Hamas, which has refrained from firing rockets into Israel for 19 months, honoring the last cease fire agreement, responds by firing rockets. This is after Israel’s provocative behavior imprisoning over 400 members of Hamas despite having no evidence that Hamas was involved in the kidnapping.
7. Now Israel can justify an all-out attack on Gaza, claiming self-defense and with support of the U.S., not too many countries will challenge it.

It is clear to me that Netanyahu used every opportunity to advance the goal of invading Gaza and destroying its infrastructure while killing as many Palestinians as possible. This is part of an historical project to ensure Israel’s survival as a Jewish state.

It is naive to think that if Hamas would stop firing rockets, all would be well. Keep in mind Israel’s long-term goal.

Question: Israel has claimed pinpoint bombardment of their targets. This means that they have the capability to locate the enemy. Why would they not just target Hamas’ rocket launchers and destroy them rather than invade Gaza and destroy the infrastructure of that territory?

Question: If Israel attacked Gaza to seal the tunnels, why not just seal the opening of the tunnels that were located on Israeli territory instead of destroying Gaza? What would be the danger of tunnels in Gaza that lead nowhere?

Dave Alpert has masters degrees in social work, educational administration, and psychology. He spent his career working with troubled inner city adolescents.