Palestine
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Hamas’s “Al-Aqsa Storm” attack on Israel and the subsequent geopolitical reactions unfolded against a backdrop of prophetic beliefs and theological superstitions, particularly focused on the Red Heifer and apocalyptic outcomes. These religious narratives infuse both policy and conflict, influencing actions across Israel, Iran, and the U.S. In Israel, it aligns with the anticipated Messianic times, while in Iran, it coincides with the Mahdi’s appearance and Israel’s destruction. In the U.S., Christian Zionists, interpreting these signs as heralding the end times, resist diplomatic restraint, advocating instead for conflict perpetuating Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza.
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Iranian leftist and communist organizations collectively condemn militarism, asserting the current Iran-Israel conflict benefits only the ruling regimes and imperialistic powers. They urge activism against war and oppression, associating increased hostilities with Iran’s attempts to distract from its domestic issues. Highlighting warmongering policies as a detriment to the Iranian populace and regional peace, they call for the dismantling of oppressive regimes and advocate for peaceful coexistence and respect for human rights and democracy.
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Marx’s analysis links primitive accumulation of capital and colonialism as two pillars of capitalist expansion, involving violent expropriation and exploitation tied to colonial ventures. This historical critique aligns with contemporary leftist debates in places like Greece, where the left grapples with anti-imperialist narratives and the ethical implications of alliances and trade with oppressive regimes. These discussions challenge the left to address both international solidarity and the intersection of capitalism, imperialism, and nationalism, prompting a reevaluation of strategies supportive of global class struggles.
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Western reluctance to support Ukraine swiftly, international firms’ vested interests in Russia, and the right-wing’s indifference toward Russia’s expansionism are central themes. Global left-wing politics, accused of siding with Russian imperialism and neglecting issues like migration and the struggles in the Global South, demonstrate intellectual poverty. They overlook major geopolitical shifts like Russia and China’s global investments, signaling a neglect of the political economy of war, resulting in alignment with Eastern autocratic regimes.
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In the heart of the Middle East lies a land considered holy by millions, yet the battleground for one of the most protracted and complex conflicts in modern history: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This blog post delves into the narratives, pain, and perspectives of both Israelis and Palestinians through the lens of three pivotal works. Each book offers a unique viewpoint, from the ground realities faced by individuals living amidst the conflict, to the historical and political analysis of its origins and evolution, and finally, to a defense of one nation’s right to exist amidst widespread misunderstanding.
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“The Fate of Third Worldism in the Middle East: Palestine, Iran and Beyond” explores the region’s shift from Third Worldism—a revolutionary, anti-imperialist ideology of the 1960s, aimed at universal emancipation—to authoritarian religious governments in the 1980s. Rasmus Christian Elling and Sune Haugbolle’s book discusses how the promising liberation movements in Iran and Palestine succumbed to oppressive regimes and Islamic fundamentalism, respectively. Analyzing the decline of Third Worldism, the work reflects on global neoliberal shifts, the end of leftist movements, and the rise of Islamist politics, suggesting that by the mid-1980s, third-worldist rhetoric was co-opted by authoritarian states. Spanning 320 pages…
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The establishment of Israel emerged from British imperial interests in the Middle East, Zionism, and various historical events, rather than being an eternal constant. Zionism began in the late 19th century as a secular movement in Eastern Europe and Russia, advocating for a Jewish nation as a refuge from persecution and anti-Semitism. However, the Jewish community was divided on Zionism; while middle-class Jews were more inclined to embrace it, the Jewish working class, deeply integrated into their local societies and socialist movements, often opposed it. The Zionist leadership was challenged by the socialist Bund, particularly in Jewish areas of Eastern…
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Israel’s attack on Gaza seeks for greater goals than just its annexation to Israel. The objective of the ongoing genocide in Gaza is inline with the unbridled US invasion of Iraq in 1990. In the aftermath of the Soviet collapse, the US intended to establish itself as the world’s only superpower through the “shock and awe” atrocities in Iraq. Similar to NATO’s identity crisis in the post cold-war era till 2022, Israel endured an identity crisis.
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In December 2023, shocking images from Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, revealed Palestinian men getting forcefully detained by Israeli forces. Reports from various sources depicted systematic mistreatment in Israeli military detention facilities, including electric shocks, burns, enforced sleep and starvation, and physical abuse. The Realities for Palestinian Civilians in Gaza also captured Israeli troops shooting a Palestinian woman holding a white flag and her child. After release, detainees faced dehumanizing conditions, highlighting the profound human cost of the ongoing situation. The IDF’s response contrasts sharply with firsthand accounts.
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As Palestine’s issue gains attention, economic analysis becomes crucial. The war’s economic impact, including GDP decline and soaring unemployment, spells a serious recession. The colonial context and settler colonialism’s economic foundation provide insight into the situation. Israel’s control extends to labor, resources, and markets, perpetuating Palestinian dependency and exploitation. Economic policy parallels military intervention in subjugating Palestinians.
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In this interview, Mussa’ab Bashir described the current situation in Gaza as “the worst round of aggression” since 1948. He highlighted the difficulties faced by Gazans, including psychological trauma, poverty, and high youth unemployment. Bashir also elaborated on internal struggles against corruption within the Hamas regime and the lack of a representative working-class organization. He advocated for a democratic socialist state to solve the Palestinian issue, emphasizing the necessity of a representative body that protects the interests of the working class.
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The current protests call the nations to a new social contract in the relations between them, which can potentially cause fundamental changes in the policies of the governments. This new contractualism requires governments to force Israel to accept international resolutions through the application of pressure (including the implementation of international laws, economic sanctions, cutting off political relations, etc.) in order to comply with the rights and justice of the Palestinians.