Understanding Gaza’s Long Road to the 7th of October

History provides numerous examples where resistance emerged as a response to oppression rather than being inherently violent or terroristic. For instance, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the mid-20th century sought to challenge racial segregation and discrimination peacefully but was met with brutal force from authorities. Similarly, anti-colonial struggles in various parts of the world, such as India’s fight against British colonial rule. 

The label of terrorism, when applied to the Palestinian resistance, seeks to serve the interests of the US and other allies or benefit from the policies of the Zionist entity. By categorising various acts of resistance as terrorism, it allows for framing the conflict in a way that justifies the use of force and security measures. This expedient labelling can be strategically advantageous for the Zionist entity seeking to maintain control, suppress dissent, or garner international support. Painting the Palestinian struggle with a broad brush of terrorism simplifies the narrative, diverting attention from the underlying issues of occupation, displacement, and human rights violations. Such framing can legitimise actions that might otherwise be viewed critically, thereby shaping the discourse in a manner that aligns with the interests of the Zionists and its allies. 

The situation in Palestine is a poignant example of how labelling resistance as terrorism can oversimplify a complex geopolitical scenario. Palestine and in particular Gaza going unnoticed on the world stage, “The deal of the century” and “normalisation with Zionists” by Saudi are just some examples of how Palestine and the people of Palestine were not considered of any importance. The Palestinian people have faced long-standing political, economic, and social challenges, including displacement and restricted access to resources. In response to these challenges, various Palestinian groups and individuals have engaged in resistance movements to assert their rights and fight against illegal occupation. 

The events of the 7th of October shocked the world, leading to widespread condemnation. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the dire circumstances in Gaza that have been overlooked for far too long. The convenient dismissal of the severe police state imposed upon the people of Gaza fails to address the root causes of resistance against the ongoing occupation. 

To truly understand the context of the 7th of October attacks, one must look at the long-standing suffering of the people of Gaza. For 14 years, this densely populated strip has been subjected to a brutal Zionist blockade, leaving its inhabitants isolated and devoid of freedom of movement. With a military power supported by billions of dollars from the United States, the relentless bombardment of civilians with advanced weaponry has become a grim reality. 

On any given day, entire families in Gaza are wiped off the civil registry, their traces erased forever. Zionists, as the occupiers, maintain control over the population registry, possessing the names, ages, and residential addresses of every Palestinian in Gaza. Forced displacement becomes arbitrary, denying individuals the simple right to return to their homes. 

The people of Palestine, particularly those in Gaza, have been born and raised in a vast open-air prison, cut off from the outside world by Zionist’s apartheid wall. This separation is further exacerbated by a debilitating siege, which even neighbouring Egypt participates in. In the occupied West Bank, Palestinians face strict control over entry and exit points by Zionist occupation forces, while Zionist settlers encroach on their land with impunity.

 The Zionist occupation inflicts economic suffocation, resulting in high unemployment rates. Palestinians are forced to seek work from their occupiers who strictly control this process through arbitrary revocation of work permits. Surveillance, reminiscent of a real prison, permeates every aspect of Palestinian life. Cameras, drones, phone tapping, and a network of infiltrators and spies ensure constant monitoring and intimidation. 

Nightly raids orchestrated by the occupiers invade Palestinian homes, instilling terror and severely impacting the mental well-being of families. Detentions without charge, including of children, have become common occurrences, with the shooting of civilians during these raids treated as an accepted consequence.

The 7th October attacks did not arise out of a vacuum but were an expression of resistance against the continuous illegal Zionist occupation. Throughout history, Zionists have waged several wars on Gaza, deliberately targeting Palestinian civilians. The international community, often regrettably, justifies these atrocities with the mantra of  “right to defend itself.” 

To solely attribute the 7th October attacks to terrorism is to overlook the decades-long oppression and human rights violations that Palestinians in Gaza have endured. It is imperative to recognise the systematic policies of occupation, blockades, and a suffocating police state that have engendered despair and desperation among the people of Gaza. If you taunt the lion don’t label it a killer when it bites back.