Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Zionist and Imperialist Venture
(January 19, 2025)

Scope:

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With its roots in Colonialism, it is a story of the collusion between Zionism and imperialism - a story of destruction, dispossession, racism, apartheid, dehumanisation, ethnic cleansing and genocide, breaking international laws, and violating human rights, condemned by the world, United Nations and ICJ.

 

Yet it continues uninterrupted. Israel can get away with it all.  

 

There is some routine meaningless hypocritic criticism with continuous unconditional support and an unlimited supply of the most modern and lethal weapons, primarily by the USA and many of its allies, to kill the people of Palestine (and elsewhere).

 

This Online Dialogue provides a historical perspective of how this conflict was created, nurtured, and sustained over decades, making it complex and unresolvable. It also addresses the present-day situation and future prospects.

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Report:

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Overseas Progressive Pakistanis (OPP) organised a Dialogue on the topic “Israel – Palestinian Conflict: A Zionist and ~Imperialist Venture”, at which the ongoing Gaza conflict and its broader political, social, and humanitarian implications were discussed. 

Renowned scholars and analysts Dr. Maya John and Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed shared their perspectives on the historical roots, geopolitical dynamics, and potential resolutions to the crisis. People from several countries joined the event and took part in the discussion. 

After welcoming the participants, OPP presented a brief introduction of the Organisation and contextualised the topic. It was emphasised that the ceasefire agreement did not address any of the fundamental issues. 

The event was particularly timely because of the changing political landscape and the ongoing debate surrounding Israel's actions in Gaza ane the occupied territories. 

 

Historical Context and Root Causes

Dr. Maya John, a labor historian and political analyst, gave a detailed historical overview of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She explained how economic exploitation and class struggles have intersected with colonial and geopolitical forces that have shaped the region. She traced the origins of the conflict to colonialism, Zionism, and imperialism. She said that the crisis is not just a religious conflict but a geopolitical struggle tied to resource-control and global power dynamics. She talked about important milestones:

 

• The British Mandate of Palestine (1920-1948) was a period when the League of Nations officially allowed the British to control the region. This led to more Jewish immigration, which caused tensions between Jewish and Arab communities. The Balfour Declaration (1917) was a statement by the British government that supported the creation of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.  

• Then, in 1948, the United Nations proposed a plan to divide Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. This led to the first Arab-Israeli war and the displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians.   

• Since 1967, Israel has occupied the West Bank and Gaza. This occupation has been marked by military control, the expansion of settlements, and restrictions on Palestinian movement and economic activity. 

• The U.S. and Western countries have played a major role in creating this imbalance of power, giving unconditional support to Israel with funds and weapons and at the international Forums. 

 

She said that the current violence is a continuation of decades of systematic oppression, apartheid policies, and land dispossession faced by Palestinians. She also said that the way people remember the past is important in how the public understands the problem and how politicians act.

 

Geopolitical Dynamics and Imperialist Interests

 

Dr. Ishtiaq talked about how global superpowers are helping to keep the Israeli occupation going and hindering a fair solution to the problem. 

Some of the points he raised:

 

• The strategic importance of the Middle East for Western powers is deeply rooted in the region’s vast oil reserves, control over critical shipping lanes, and geopolitical significance as a buffer against emerging powers. 

• The West's longstanding military presence in the region has been justified under the guise of maintaining stability, yet it has often served to reinforce hegemony.

• The U.S. financial and military support to Israel, amounting to billions of dollars annually, has ensured Israel’s military superiority and emboldened its policies of occupation and settlement expansion. This aid includes cutting-edge defense systems, intelligence-sharing, and diplomatic backing in international Forums. 

• The double standards in implementing the international law, where Israel enjoys impunity while Palestinian resistance is labeled as terrorism, reveal a broader pattern of double standards.

• Despite numerous UN resolutions condemning Israeli actions, meaningful consequences remain absent. 

 

The role of European governments has been marked by a complex mix of historical guilt, strategic alliances, and economic interests. The influence of lobbying groups and media narratives plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion on the conflict. Pro-Israel advocacy organizations exert significant influence over Western policymakers, while mainstream media often presents a one-sided portrayal that marginalizes Palestinian perspectives and underreports human rights violations.  

He continued that Israel's actions are part of larger imperialist projects, where economic and military interests are more important than human rights and international law. 

 

Humanitarian Crisis and Legal Implications 

Both speakers mentioned reports by international organizations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, that say Israel's actions are war crimes and possible genocide. 

Maya John said that dehumanising Palestinians has been a way to justify Israeli aggression, which is a tactic used in the past in colonial projects. 

 

Proposed Solutions and the Role of International Solidarity 

The discussion then turned to possible solutions. Both speakers said that peace without justice is not sustainable. They proposed the following steps:

End the occupation and recognize Palestinian sovereignty (the right of the Palestinian people to govern themselves)

Implement UN resolutions that guarantee Palestinian rights

Use international pressure through sanctions and boycotts.

Support grassroots movements that advocate for Palestinian self-determination and hold those accountable through international courts who have committed crimes. Also, ensure a more balanced media representation that includes Palestinian voices.

 

The speakers also said that it is important to work together internationally and support justice around the world. Common people, activists, and community groups should work together to challenge the mainstream media and government involvement. They also talked about how student movements, labor unions, and cultural organisations can help create global solidarity.

 

Participant Engagement and Concluding Remarks

The Dialogue ended with a lively Q&A session, where participants asked important questions about media bias, the role of Muslim-majority countries, and the future of the two-state solution. Some people expressed their frustrations that the international community was not doing more to help. The hosts urged participants to stay informed, amplify Palestinian voices, and advocate for policy changes. Some ways to do this are supporting humanitarian aid efforts, engaging with local advocacy groups, writing to policymakers, and participating in public demonstrations to raise awareness and push for accountability. These actions should call for prioritising justice over geopolitical interests. Attendees were encouraged to sign petitions, demonstrate, and educate others to keep the conversation going.

 

Report by Moin Ahmed