Israel may dominate through violence, but Palestinians hold a force more powerful
Israel has overwhelming military power, but moral power rooted in peace and justice is completely absent from Zionism. This is the power that has inspired millions to shout "Free Palestine" in cities around the world like never before.
By Salman Abu Sitta
Upwards of 400,000 Pro-Palestine protestors take the streets in a national march in Washington DC to show support for Palestinians and call for a ceasefire and end the genocide in Gaza, January 13, 2024. (Photo: Eman Mohammed)
While I am writing this piece in Kuwait, I hear the swish of drones flying over my head, from and to Iran, Israel and US military bases in the region. It is a good example of the power of arms. But it is far below the power of thought.
The indicted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu is not noted for historical wisdom, but he inadvertently fell on the analogy between Genghis Khan and Jesus Christ — that is, between the power of arms and the power of thought.
The power of arms is short lived. It dissipates and vanishes within a short time when its source cannot maintain its power. History is replete with such examples. Hitler is a good example. Netanyahu and Zionism are examples in the making.
The power of thought is long lasting. Today, we have billions of people adhering to Christianity and Islam without the power of arms controlling them.
I have witnessed the path of both.
Since 1948, when I became a refugee at the age of ten, after the Zionist invasion of Palestine, I witnessed and lived through the experience of al Nakba of 1948, the Tripartite Aggression of 1956, the River Jordan diversion crisis in 1964 when Israel built the National Water Carrier, the attacks on Lebanon 1982 and 2006, the Intifada (1987- 2005), the October War of 1973, the Iraq Invasion of Kuwait of 1990, the Great Return March of 2014 to 2018, the attempted return of Gaza refugees to their homes in October 2023.
None of these events, however murderous, changed the equation.
Israel attacks Palestine and countries in the region, assisted by the US, to achieve the permanent aim of their subordination. It failed to achieve it in 7 decades so far. Its enmity is entrenched in the region. Its position in the world as a Pariah state is confirmed. It failed to see the power of arms is not permanent.
The power of thought, that is, based on peace and justice, is absent from the mindset of Zionism. On the other hand, Palestinians never waivered in their determination to return home.
In the world stage, the picture is clearer. There are about 2 billion Christians in the world. They followed the message of Jesus Christ which began 2000 years ago and will continue to do so.
There are about 2 billion Muslims today. They followed the message of Muhammad which began 15 centuries ago. They are arguably today the fastest adherents of any religion.
The legacy of Israel in the last 7 decades is based on occupation, murder, ethnic cleansing, and Genocide.
In the same period, Palestinians grew from 1.5 million to 15 million. Today half of them live in their homeland but under occupation and Apartheid.
The other half is scattered in the world, representing the silenced Palestine. There are many luminaries to represent them while not in their occupied homeland, like Edward Said, Ghada Karmi, Susan Abulhawa and many others. They spread the true story worldwide.
Today the Palestinians have the largest number of PhD holders per population in the world. They succeed wherever they go: in politics, science and finance. Yet Israel, the country now populated by new East European immigrants, deprives them from the Right to return home.
The cry Free Palestine fills the streets of the world cities as never before. To Palestinians, the Right of Return is sacred, legal and inevitable. They will not give it up and no doubt they will achieve it.
Hence, the power of thought will win over the power of arms.
Free speech is under attack—especially when it comes to Palestine.
From the censorship of student voices to the assassinations of journalists in Gaza, the cost of telling the truth about Palestine has never been higher. At Mondoweiss, we publish fearless reporting and critical analysis that others won’t touch—because we believe the public needs to know the truth about Palestine.
We’re funded by readers who believe in justice, transparency, and freedom of the press.
Salman Abu Sitta
Salman Abu Sitta is the founder and president of the Palestine Land Society, London, dedicated to the documentation of Palestine’s land and People. He is the author of six books on Palestine including the compendium “Atlas of Palestine 1917- 1966,” English and Arabic editions, the “Atlas of the Return Journey” and over 300 papers and articles on the Palestinian refugees, the Right of Return, and the history of al Nakba and human rights. He is credited with extensive documentation and mapping of Palestine’s land and people over 40 years. His widely acclaimed memoir “Mapping my Return” describes his life in Palestine and his long struggle as a refugee to return home.