David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister, suggested in a 1918 book that the "fellahin [indigenous rural villagers] are descended from ancient Jewish and Samaritan farmers". In more recent years, genetic studies have demonstrated that, at least paternally, "Jewish ethnic divisions" and the Palestinians are related to each other. Genetic studies on Jews have shown that Jews and Palestinians are closer to each other than the Jews are to their host countries. Given this genetic proximity to each other, one would think that fair dealing and genuine rapprochement would be honored and encouraged.
The Israeli historian, Ihan Pappe, who explored Palestinian issues, wrote in "The Forgotten Palestinians": that "the policy towards the Palestinian minority was determined by a security minded group of decision makers and executed by Ben Gurion's unfailingly ruthless advisors on Arab affairs, who were in favor of expelling as many Palestinians as possible and confining the rest within well-guarded enclaves".
In the present time we are faced with the brutal attack by the extremist militant group, Hamas, who emerged from Gaza with incredible fury and slaughtered hundreds of Israeli people. These horrific acts have brought upon themselves, and hundreds of thousands of civilians, terrible consequences, as Israeli military forces, supported by American weapons, have caused death and injury to many innocent victims; 40% are estimated to be children. Did Hamas really consider the terrible retribution that would be exacted when they undertook their fool-hardy act?
The historical causes of conflict in Gaza still have to be faced despite this atrocity. But this disproportionate bombing of civilians in response to Hamas horrific acts, do not take into account the children of Gaza, who have already been traumatized by ten Israeli military assaults between 2006 and 2023. In just one of these assaults in 2008, 1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths took place.
Thousands are now suffering injury and death in Gaza. It was estimated that at least 500 children have died from Israeli air strikes on Gaza. This disproportionate response to Hamas may also have the purpose of compelling Palestinians to leave their ancestral land. Dispossession by whatever means is an ancient tactic, whether taking place in Ireland or in the expropriating of indigenous land from Native Americans.
In the 21st century reconciliation groups have sprung up all over the U.S. and Canada to help redress and atone for the deep traumas caused by dispossession, as well as by the residential school system. Israel still has time to change its policies and follow the recommendations of Gush Shalom: to "safeguard the security of both Israel and Palestine by mutual agreement and guarantees".
Hugh Curran is a Lecturer in Peace & Reconciliation Studies at the University of Maine
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