Illustrative image: Smoke rises from Tuffah neighborhood after Israeli air strikes in the east of Gaza City. (Mohammed Saber / EPA)
Written by Eric Zuesse.
This started becoming clear on May 12th, and has become increasingly confirmed by events since then.
On May 12th, Al-Arabia, CBS News, and other media, reported Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz as promising that “The army will continue to attack to bring a total, long-term quiet.” And, “Only when we reach that goal will we be able to speak about a truce.” Britain’s Guardian reported his speech as having said that “Israel vows not to stop Gaza attacks until there is complete quiet.” Britain’s The Express reported him as saying that “There is no end date and we will not receive moral sermons from any organization on our right to protect the citizens of Israel. Only when we reach that goal will we be able to speak about a truce.”
In other words, Israel is promising that until Gazans are totally conquered, there will be no “truce”: Israel will continue this until total victory is achieved — conquest, surrender by all Gazans.
Throughout the conflict, U.S. President Joe Biden has said that America’s policy is to request that there be a truce. However, ever since at least May 12th, Israel has made clear that a “truce” will occur only when the Gazans are totally defeated, so that there is, in Gaza, “a total, long-term quiet.” Does that differ from Israel’s announcing that they are ethnically cleansing Gazans from Gaza?
The difference would be equivalent to the difference between offering Gazans a choice ultimately between remaining quiet in the world’s largest-ever open-air prison, versus becoming totally exterminated by their enemy. What type of choice is that, actually?
On 15 April 2018, Elliott Gabriel reported from Gaza City, that
Palestinians confined to Gaza have faced several devastating onslaughts by the Israelis, as well as a crippling blockade by Tel Aviv and Cairo that has resulted in the collapse of the coastal strip’s economy. Monitors and advocates across the world have decried the grave humanitarian crisis prevailing in Gaza that has resulted directly from its being deprived of needed goods including construction material, electricity, food, water and medicine.
In a report on Gaza last November, local human rights monitor B’Tselem noted:
“Israel used its control over the crossings to put Gaza under a blockade, turning almost two million people into prisoners inside the Gaza Strip, effecting an economic collapse and propelling Gaza residents into dependency on international aid.”
On 15 May 2019, the Guardian bannered “One million face hunger in Gaza after US cut to Palestine aid”, and noted that,
The UNRWA, created in 1949 to provide short-term relief for Palestinian refugees after the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, runs schools, hospitals and social services in five areas including the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
It is largely propping up Gaza, subject to a total blockade by air, land and sea since 2007. Political stalemate, conflict with Israel and divisions among Palestinian factions have left the territory an economic ruin, without health and social services and with almost no access to clean water and only four or five hours of electricity a day.
With no peace in sight, a generation is growing up in Gaza who have only known the fenced-in territory and never met an Israeli.
So, if that is the reality there, then how is this ‘choice’ anything other than an ethnic cleansing of Gaza, turning it into a prison that’s designed for its inhabitants to be “quietly” exterminated until Israelis can then ultimately take over that land and make it a new land for settlement by Israelis?
On 14 May 2021, U.S. Professor Juan Cole, an internationally recognized expert on the Middle East, headlined “Shooting Fish in a Barrel: Israel bombs Palestinian Refugees from Israel in Gaza, 50% of them Children”, and he wrote:
At one point in the zeros the Israeli military made a plan to only allow enough food into Gaza to keep the population from becoming malnourished, but nothing more. No chocolate for the children. It was one of the creepiest moments in the history of colonialism.
The unemployment rate in Gaza is 50%, the highest in the world. Half the population depends on food aid. The aquifer is polluted and increasingly salty from rising seas owing to climate change, so truly clean water is available to only about 5 percent of the population. Israel has several water purification plants. The Palestinians of Gaza do not.
There is no equivalence between Israel and Gaza. Israel has the best-equipped military in the Middle East and has several hundred nuclear bombs, Its gross domestic product (nominal) per capita is on the order of $42,000 per year.
The nominal GDP per capita in Palestine is $3000, and those who live in Gaza earn less yet.
On 19 May 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden’s Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin who was selected because he is both a Black and a neoconservative, headlined at the ‘Defense’ department, “Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Phone Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin ‘Benny’ Gantz”, and here is the entirety of that news-report:Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin “Benny” Gantz. Secretary Austin underscored his continued support for Israel’s right to defend itself, reviewed assessments of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, and urged de-escalation of the conflict.
The United States Government has ‘urged de-escalation’ but “underscored [its] continued support for Israel’s right to defend itself,” while exterminating Gazans.
Also on May 19th, the White House issued a statement about the phone conversation that day between Biden and Netanyahu, “The president conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire.”
However, on the morning of Thursday, May 20th, CNBC reported that, “Israel launched a fresh wave of airstrikes over the Gaza strip early Thursday in what it says are continued operations to take out Hamas targets.” That action by Netanyahu — a flagrant disregard for what U.S. President Biden had publicly instructed him to do (and the United States Government donates annually $3.8 billion to Israel for purchase of U.S.-made weapons) — was very embarrassing for Biden. However, Biden had not publicly threatened Netanyahu, but had only instructed him. Therefore, the question, at this point, was whether Netanyahu’s disobedience would be publicly punished (such as by means of applying U.S. sanctions against Israel and against Netanyahu personally). Which was the master, and which was the slave, in the U.S.-Israel relationship? Absent a public punishment of Israel for its disobedience, Israel would appear to be the master, and the U.S. its slave.
Also on May 20th, Al Jazeera, a news-operation that represents the royal family of Qatar, headlined “Death, destruction in Gaza as Israel defies truce call: Live”, and reported that, “Israeli fighter jets continued to pound the Gaza Strip on Thursday, … as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied calls for a de-escalation.” This was specific public recognition that Israel was defying the publicly announced policy of the U.S. Government.
It’s good to know what America stands for, and has been standing for, at least after the Presidency of Jimmy Carter, if not ever since Harry S. Truman became America’s President in 1945. The United States has certainly been like this, continually, for a very long time.
So has Israel.
It is now out in the open. If Biden will retaliate strongly against Israel, he will change U.S. foreign policy since 1945. If he fails to retaliate at all, he will be profoundly embarrassed. If he continues to try to walk the fence on this matter, then, since it’s all out in the open now, the United States itself will be profoundly embarrassed. No matter what he does, the future will not be like the past. This juncture is a historical turning-point, whichever way he might turn.
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author, most recently, of They’re Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010, and of CHRIST’S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity.
That’s the whole point of this ‘war’: kill as many as possible, force others to flee to Europe. They don’t want to conquer Gaza, they want to destroy it. Or at least to keep it under control demographically.
That’s not a good strategy, and it’s only going to backfire longterm.
Are the Zionists going to use magic to try to be successful against Gaza? Are they going to try using the Key of Solomon? I wonder what type of rituals they are going to use to win the war. Maybe Israel should sacrifice a few synagogues, and burn them, as an offering to demons. Maybe that will work?
Very good picture.Ypu write You do absolutly nothing yourself. Thats the whole point. As long as You make no changes, this wont change. It hasnt since 1949(1967).
Ad then they get there “white genocide” as well…
Ohhh no shit, the Europeans Zion didn’t say that like fuking 100 years ago.
Thats right but since then WW1 and WW2 happend.
Have we lost Disqus for SF ?. The people of the World is seeing this first thing now and they are repulsed. There was an article somewhere that stated that the ZIos are killing whole family lines – does not matter how many in total – eliminating family lines.
Whats strange in that. They live in the same house, dont they.
many muslims also has forced oppinions about everything. Even so they come to Allah one by one and dont die in family groups.
Allah see single people. Many muslims see themself being sheep and acting like sheep too.
jens= sheeple in US colony your LSD cheese =special vaccine, protect u from truth
No – let me put this in more simple English, they are eliminating blood lines.
Jens Holms WHAT YOU ARE SAYING ABOUT FORCED OPINIONS IS VERY APPLICABLE IN BRITAIN,USA,EU ETC IF YOU OPPOSE IT YOU HAVE NO JOB OR EVEN IF QUESTION IT LET US LOOK AT CLAIM OF HOLOCAUST IF IT WAS TRUE WHY USA,EU ,BRITAIN ARE LEGISLATING IT AND MAKING CRIME TO DENY HOLOCAUST ie SUBTLE WAY OF ENFORCING OPINION I CAN GIVE ONE THOUSAND OTHER EXAMPLES SO WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT
You make the mistake of even answering to “Jens Holms”…. do not waste your time, cheers.
Remember: the Nazis completely destroyed the Warsaw Ghetto to punish them for “daring” to fight back. They’re the New Nazis.
Well saladin had same traditions. He was no nazi, wasnt he ????
Salhudin with the 8 passports whatever…
Salhudin is my boyfriend from Kurdistan and I love him so much. Soon I be his 3rd wife.
My ex boyfriend Moshe is Jewish I love him also. We sometimes grow tomatos togetger and eat Salhudins banana split.
This has nothing to do with religion – Christian Muslim, Jewish Hide whatever … this has to do wit power, greed, control and sick fantasies.
Jens Holms english and Europeans are THE MOST VIOLENT AND BIGGEST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THIS UNIVERSE THEY MASSACRED THE NATIVE POPULATION OF WHAT IS NOW CALLED USA,CANADA, AUSTRALIA,NEW ZEALAND ETC SO WHAT HELL ARE YOU TALKING
Just ignore it, him or her.
Call me AL The truth hurts you
Not at all – when Disqus was used, people just used to ignore “Jens”, we could switch him off. He is a troll or government plant.
So – you may have taken my comment wrongly, I was just warning you not to respond to (it, him or her.); nothing else.
But your choice, I do not care.
Fuck off – you piece of shit. We all blocked you on Disqus, but now I shall come for you personally. NO threat, promise.
wulfie mijav
2-300 of 2 millions are not etnic cleansing at all.
German Chancellor during WW2 was on the right track after all, he must have predicted the long term affects of zionism; too bad he didn’t finish it. Zions are scourge of the earth.
Israel, contrary to mainstream reporting, signed a UNILATERAL ceasefire with the Palestinians who are taking 24 hours to evaluate. Simply put, those missles launched against the Zionazi regime have done a lot more damage than Nutty-yoyo and scumbag company are willing to admit. Israhell has been exposed for the paper tiger it has become. Jews are no match for Persians!!!
The Objective Historian or observer would note that Israel is only blockading because of rocket attacks. Egypt is blockading because they don’t want jihadis either. Be careful, your ignorance of the ongoing situation over the last few years is showing. If you want to understand the region go back hundreds of years and start from there. There are a lot of groups to understand.
And strawberries grow on Mars too…
You can go pontificate elsewhere then you peice of shit.
Its prerty obvious israel views palestinians as untermenschen. Its ok for you to be racist, yet nothing can be said of jews?
This place is as objective as it gets actually, so take your warnings and shove it, worthless israeli shill!
not true. The zionist entity, the abomination of desolation, started the blockade becuase Hamas won the election and vowed independence and resistance. Egypt Blockade becuase Egypt’s traitorous dictatorships rulers obey(ed) Ameica the anti Christ and their masters zionists. Praise God, Egypt is ending their blockade and opening Gaza will revitalise the economy and strengthen the resistance. Egyptian population have come strongly for tangible support of Palestine. Conflict of 100s of years is a zionist lie that you repeat. A hundred years ago Palestine was nearly all populated by Palestinians and no jewish cults and no european jews. The conflict started with British Occupation and Balfour declaration of 1916/1917 . 1947 / 1948 conflict forced on Palestine by invading european Jews intent on murder and ethnic cleansing resulting the Nakba (the catastrophe ) and a erupean (jewish cult) colony was created in ethnically cleansed Palestine . God strengthen the resistance for liberation of all of Palestine, Amen. God Curse the jewish cult zionism, Amen, God curse the traitor Arabs who support the zionist movement , Amen Oh Lord Hasten the 3 armies that meet in the holy land to serve the saviour of earth, Imam Mahdi (AS) . end times prophecy : the armies of the east (Iran), of Yemen and of the west (Egypt) , meet in the holy land to offer service to God’s sign on earth, leader of Humanity and the guide, the Imam Mahdi(AS) . The returned Jesus (AS) , the 2nd Mahdi, will kill Satan, God curse him, and destroy Satan supporters in the holy Land .
Faisal al Al-Mahdi THERE IS LEGAL JUSTIFICATION FOR UN OR zio Christian west TO IMPLANT zionist entity in PALESTINE REALITY IS IT IS SUBTLE WAY OF CONTINUATION OF CHRISTIAN CRUSADE ON MUSLIM NATIONS TO DESTROY,DESTABILIZE THEM SO THEY CANNOT DEVELOP THEIR SOCIO ECONOMIES ALSO zionist entity HAS MOVING GOAL POST BY DESIGN AND BACKED zio Christian west and RUSSIA THIS ENABLES THE,MNTO LOOT THE MUSLIM NATIONS BY SELLING THEIR JUNK WEAPONS AND LOOT THEIR RESOURCES
1. “Zio Christian” ?.. I disagree; you cannot have both combined, despite what the idiot Yanks say.
2. Russia ? – you have no idea what you are babbling on about.
Now apart from those two points, I will agree with you.
Call me AL zionist are backed up Christian west hence zio Christian west Go and see how fanatical are Evangelicals Christian in USA and in Europe so what the hell are you talking about Russia is zionist in stealth as RUSSIAN POLITICAL,MILITARY,ADMINISTRATIVE Ans ACADEMIC LEVEL EXCHANGES ARE FREQUENT WITH zionist entity even at this minute Having visited Russia several times talking with Russians I found they are more zionist than zionist
I disagree with the Russian part, agree with the rest.
“Having visited Russia several times talking with Russians I found they are more zionist than zionist” – I have lived there for over a year and can assure you that on this occasion, no offence now – I think you are wrong. 180 degrees wrong.
Yeah, go back 80 years and see who live in Palestine. Before Zionists started with their terrorist campaign and forceful colonization.
So hold on, if your view is correct; how does this fit in “After the Ten Plagues, Moses led the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt and across the Red Sea, after which they based themselves at biblical Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. After 40 years of wandering in the desert, Moses died within sight of the Promised Land on Mount Nebo.”
Call me AL History is written by Victors hence whole THING ABOUT MOSES ,GOD’S promises Are ONE BIG BS There is no credible evidence with research to suggest about Moses etc nor about Holocaust
You have now undermined my comment completely, the question was for the Zio boy above. He cannot “believe” and spew out the BS… whilst I do like conversing and believe I am on your side; think next time will you.
amerikans pay colony billions to destabilize ME
Just like the millions of Christians killed in the Bolchevik Revolution orchestrated by the Askenazi jews.
This may be one of the dumbest articles I have read about Gaza (and that is saying something). If Israel wanted to kill all Gazans, they have the tech and the means. Period. When they took over in 1967, population was 300k. Now, it is over 1.8 million. Jews suck at genocide and the author knows it.
What utter reactionary none sense. Eric Zuesse an ignorant reactionary 2 dimensional none thinker. The US does not rule Israel as a colony. What an idiot.