WHEN THE OPPRESSED BECOMES THE OPPRESSOR
NETANYAHU, GAZA AND THE TRAGIC IRONY OF POWER
Let’s start with an uncomfortable truth: criticizing the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza does not make you antisemitic. It makes you human. It’s possible—brace yourself—to oppose genocide without hating Jewish people. Just as it’s possible to dislike pineapple on pizza without declaring war on Hawaii. Yet, somehow, in the tangled web of geopolitics, morality, and Twitter threads, this distinction often gets lost.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has become a grotesque theater of suffering, where the actors are trapped in a script written by history’s worst playwrights. It’s a tale of displacement, starvation, and unthinkable violence—a story where the oppressed seem to have learned all the wrong lessons from their oppressors. And leading this macabre production is none other than Benjamin Netanyahu, a man whose political career seems to be fueled by equal parts ambition and denial.
The Tragic Irony of History
The irony here is almost Shakespearean. The Jewish people have endured centuries of antisemitism, culminating in the Holocaust—a genocide so horrific that it reshaped global consciousness. The phrase “Never Again” became a rallying cry, not just for Jews but for humanity at large. And yet, here we are, watching as Israel’s government enacts policies that many argue meet the international definitions of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Let’s be clear: hating all Jewish people because of Netanyahu is as nonsensical as hating all Americans because of Trump. Both men are divisive leaders, but neither represents the entirety of their nation or its people. Criticizing their actions isn’t a condemnation of their identity; it’s a plea for sanity in a world gone mad.
The Numbers Don’t Lie (But They Do Scream)
According to reports from Boston University’s International Human Rights Clinic and other organizations, more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, including 14,000 children. Infrastructure has been obliterated, leaving Gaza without basic necessities like clean water and electricity. Starvation isn’t just a side effect; it’s a strategy. Forced displacement isn’t collateral damage; it’s part of the plan.
And yet, the Israeli government defends these actions as self-defense against Hamas. Now, Hamas is no saintly organization—let’s not pretend otherwise—but using their existence to justify mass killings and starvation is like burning down your neighbor’s house because their dog barked at you. It’s disproportionate, it’s cruel, and it’s a violation of international law.
The U.S.: Israel’s Enabler-in-Chief
Of course, Israel doesn’t act alone. The United States continues to provide financial and military support, effectively underwriting this tragedy. It’s a classic case of enabling bad behavior—like giving your friend money for rent only to find out they spent it on blackjack and margaritas. Except in this case, the stakes are human lives.
Even President Donald Trump—yes, 'that' Trump—has recognized the savagery of starving Gaza’s civilian population. When Trump starts sounding reasonable on foreign policy, you know things have gone off the rails.
The Taboo of Criticism
In Israel itself, two prominent rights groups—B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel—have broken societal taboos by accusing their own government of genocide. This is no small feat in a country where public discourse often focuses more on hostages than on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
These organizations argue that Israel’s systematic dismantling of Gaza’s health and life-support systems meets international definitions of genocide. Their evidence includes testimonies, legal analysis, and reports from the ground—all collected despite restricted access to Gaza. Yet these accusations are met with predictable denials from Israeli officials, who dismiss them as biased or antisemitic.
The Dehumanization Machine
Dehumanization is a key ingredient in this grim recipe for disaster. Israeli leaders have made inflammatory remarks likening Palestinians to biblical enemies, further fueling calls for extreme violence. The strategy appears clear: make life in Gaza so unbearable that its residents either die or flee. This isn’t just war; it’s demographic engineering with genocidal undertones.
Plans to relocate Gaza’s population to Egypt or other countries have been floated openly—a chilling echo of historical atrocities where forced displacement was used as a weapon. Meanwhile, far-right Israeli leaders advocate policies that range from subjugation to outright expulsion of Palestinians. It’s governance by extremism, and it’s dragging the entire region into chaos.
The Global Response: A Collective Shrug
International bodies like the United Nations and the International Court of Justice have called for Israel to cease its siege on Gaza, but these rulings have been ignored. The global community seems paralyzed by political dynamics and alliances, unable—or unwilling—to take meaningful action.
The two-state solution once seemed like a beacon of hope, but support for it has dwindled over time. Instead, we’re left with an apartheid-like reality where one group dominates another through sheer force and systemic oppression.
Richard Lakin: A Symbol of What Could Have Been
In this sea of despair, stories like that of Richard Lakin (a Friend of this blog) offer a glimpse of what could have been. Lakin was an American-Israeli teacher and peace advocate who believed in coexistence and education as tools for change. Tragically, he was killed in Jerusalem during the Second Intifada—a victim of the very violence he sought to end.
Lakin’s legacy reminds us that love and empathy can be powerful forces for good, even in the face of systemic hatred and divisiveness. His book, 'Teaching as an Act of Love', emphasizes the importance of genuine care in education—a philosophy that feels almost utopian in today’s climate.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not just a geopolitical issue; it’s a moral crisis that challenges our collective humanity. Criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza is not about picking sides; it’s about standing up for basic human rights. It’s about saying that no government—Jewish or otherwise—should have the power to starve civilians or force them from their homes.
Netanyahu and his far-right allies may believe they’re securing Israel’s future through these brutal policies, but history teaches us that oppression breeds resistance, not peace. The cycle of violence will continue until someone has the courage to break it—not with bombs but with dialogue, empathy, and compromise.
A Call to Action
It’s time for the international community to stop enabling this tragedy and start demanding accountability. It’s time for ordinary citizens—Jewish, Palestinian, and everyone else—to speak out against injustice without fear of being labeled antisemitic or anti-Israel. And it’s time for leaders on both sides to remember that power is not an excuse for cruelty; it’s an opportunity for change.
In the end, we’re all human beings trying to navigate this chaotic world together. Let’s not let history repeat itself—not in Gaza, not anywhere else. Because if we don’t learn from our mistakes, we’re doomed to make them again—and again—and again.
Is Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza? New Report from BU School of Law’s International Human Rights Clinic Lays Out Case | BU Today | Boston University https://www.bu.edu/articles/2024/is-israel-committing-genocide-in-gaza/
Rights groups in Israel call out genocide in Gaza for first time : NPR https://www.npr.org/2025/07/28/nx-s1-5482881/israel-gaza-genocide-rights-groups-btselem-physicians
Genocide in Palestine? An Israeli Endgame in Gaza and Beyond - Middle East Council on Global Affairs https://mecouncil.org/blog_posts/genocide-in-palestine-an-israeli-endgame-in-gaza-and-beyond/
Israeli rights groups say Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/28/israel-gaza-genocide-accusations/
Big Education Ape: For American-Israeli Teacher, Death Came on the No. 78 Bus - The New York Times https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2015/10/for-american-israeli-teacher-death-came.html
