Israel, Palestine And The Politics Of Distraction | Peter Beinart | TMR

January 21, 2024 Pharaoh

Peter Beinart of Jewish Currents joins Sam and Emma to discuss the recent events in Israel and Palestinian territories. Officials in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government often express a desire to weaken Israel’s Supreme Court, citing limitations on their ability to punish Palestinians. Palestinian perspectives, however, interpret these policies as part of a larger strategy involving mass expulsion. In March, anti-occupation activist Fadi Quran expressed concerns about another Nakba, referring to the expulsion of Palestinians at Israel’s birth. A poll showed that 65% of Palestinians viewed Israel’s “long run aspiration” as extending its borders and expelling Arab citizens. While such a prospect may seem unthinkable in mainstream American discourse, Palestinian fears of expulsion are rooted in history and are not unfounded. The current government’s radicalism, combined with escalating violence, raises concerns about a potential surge in Palestinian expulsion, prompting the question of what actions American officials would take to prevent it.