The article "Why Do Palestinians Deserve What Zionists Did?" by Will Shetterly presents a perspective critical of Zionism and the creation of the State of Israel. However, the piece contains omissions, factual inaccuracies, and selective historical framing that requires deeper analysis.
1. Selective Starting Point (1913-1917)
Omission: The article begins in 1917, ignoring thousands of years of Jewish presence in the region.
Fact: The land that is now Israel and Palestine has been home to many groups, including ancient Israelites, and Jews have maintained a historical connection dating back to biblical times (~1200 BCE). Neglecting this undermines Zionism’s historical argument.
2. Omission of Ottoman Empire's Role
Omission: The role of the Ottoman Empire, which governed Palestine from 1517 to 1917, is missing.
Fact: Ottoman policies shaped the region, with Jews and Muslims coexisting under the dhimmi system, which treated non-Muslims as second-class citizens. Massacred Christians, Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Yazidis, and other minorities. The empire's corruptions and decline opened the door to European influence and rising tensions between Jews and Arabs.
3. Inaccuracies on Jewish-Arab Relations
Claim: The article suggests Jews and Arabs lived in peace before Zionism.
Fact: Relations were more complex. Instances of violence, like the 1834 Peasants' Revolt, show early conflicts. The first waves of Jewish immigration in the 19th century further strained relations, especially over land ownership.
4. Palestinian Population in the 1890s
Omission: The demographics of late 19th-century Palestine are not adequately addressed.
Fact: In the 1890s, the population was predominantly Arab, with Jews making up 5-8%. Most Jewish residents were religious, not Zionist, concentrated in cities like Jerusalem and Hebron.
5. Omission of Anti-Semitism
Omission: The article overlooks the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, a critical driver of Zionism.
Fact: Pogroms in Eastern Europe and rising anti-Jewish sentiment fueled Jewish migration and the desire for a homeland, culminating in Zionism as a survivalist movement, not purely colonial.
6. Omission of 1948 UN Vote and Context
Omission: The article skips over the 1947 UN partition plan (Resolution 181).
Fact: The UN proposed separate Jewish and Arab states. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, while Arab leaders rejected it, resulting in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This pivotal event reshaped the region and led to the displacement of Jews and Arabs alike.
7. Portrayal of Zionism as Solely Colonial
Omission: Zionism is presented solely as a colonial endeavor.
Fact: While Zionists used colonial tactics like land purchasing, Zionism also had deep roots in Jewish nationalism and self-determination in response to centuries of persecution. Reducing it to European colonialism oversimplifies its origins.
8. Oversimplification of Jewish-Arab Relations
Claim: The article asserts a peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs before Zionism.
Fact: While there were periods of peace, tensions between the groups predate Zionism. Socioeconomic and land disputes fueled conflicts even before the arrival of organized Zionist movements.
9. Omission of Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands
Omission: The article ignores the Jewish exodus from Arab countries after Israel's creation.
Fact: Hundreds of thousands of Jews were expelled or fled Arab lands due to rising hostility after 1948, a significant factor that parallels the displacement of Palestinians.
10. Years of Poor Leadership Under Yasir Arafat
Omission: The article overlooks the impact of Yasir Arafat’s leadership.
Fact: Under Arafat, billions of dollars meant for Palestinian development were misappropriated, and terrorism became a key strategy of the PLO. His failure to engage in peace negotiations and calls for the destruction of Israel alienated the global community. This rhetoric—such as calling for Jews to be "thrown into the Mediterranean"—did not resonate with survival-minded Jews, who had faced persecution for millennia. Multiple opportunities for peace, such as those offered in the Oslo Accords, were missed, partly due to Arafat's unwillingness to compromise.
11. Israel's Right to Self-Defense
Context: For Israel, failure is not an option. Surrounded by hostile neighbors for decades and remembering their history of persecution, Israelis view self-defense as non-negotiable.
Historical Parallel: The fate of the Armenians under Turkish and Azeri oppression serves as a reminder of what could happen to a vulnerable minority. Israel’s determination to defend itself against existential threats is critical to its survival.
12. Examples of Arab Countries that Have Made Peace with Israel
Fact: Several Arab nations, such as Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, have successfully brokered peace agreements with Israel. These countries have recognized that peace and diplomatic relations are mutually beneficial, proving that reconciliation is possible even in this long-standing conflict.
Conclusion
Shetterly’s article presents a one-sided view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It omits key historical facts, such as the ancient Jewish presence, the impact of the Ottoman Empire, European anti-Semitism, and the 1948 UN vote. While critiquing Zionism’s effects on Palestinians, it neglects the broader context of Jewish survivalism, the complexities of Jewish-Arab relations over time, and the failure of leadership under Yasir Arafat. Furthermore, it overlooks the significance of Israel’s right to defend itself, especially given its precarious position in the region. Arab countries that have made peace with Israel show that reconciliation is achievable, contrary to the one-sided narrative presented in the article.
