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Part 1:
What truly lies at the heart of populism’s power? The dual nature of populism has left question if it is a political campaigning strategy, an ideology, or a manifestation of public sentiment. Objectively speaking, populism has consistently defied categorization within political and social frameworks. The tale of populism unfolds a gripping mystery, revealing its dual nature as both a beacon of democracy and authoritarianism. The revelation became the central focus of my research, utilizing case studies as a tool to apply these fresh perspectives. Deliberately chosen, the Palestinian-Iraeli conflict case study is aimed to showcase how populist sentiment can unfold authoritarianism. This analysis serves as a lens through which to understand the dynamics of populism within the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict, revealing how populist narratives and strategies shape perceptions, policies, and outcomes in this longstanding geopolitical struggle.
The concept of populism has considerable controversy and is marked by multiple political sentiments, making it challenging to define in its parameters. Populism is defined as a political party or approach that aims to represent and address the common people’s concerns. As a political strategy, populism entails the mobilization of the “common people” against perceived elites. Jan-Werner Muller, a fellow at the Institute of Human Sciences in Vienna and politics professor at Princeton University argued that populism combined with anti-elitism has created a conviction that populists “hold a morally superior vision of what it means to be a true citizen of their nation.” Populism seems to promote a commitment to a group that asserts itself as the sole legitimate representation of “the people,” reinforcing the notion that these individuals are marginalized and or misrepresented. Mark Elchardus in his article “Populism, Persistent Republicanism and Declinism” argues that populism is “particularly attractive to people with low levels of education” with “weak economic positions,” and through this, populist leaders can present situations of objective relative gratification to manipulate the public. The centrality of people through populist political appeals proposes nationalism as a form of identity politics, which often exploits societal divisions and grievances for political leverage.
The Palestinian and Israeli war traces its roots back to the late 19th century with Jewish ambitions to make the region a complete Jewish sovereignty, leading to the resistance of the indigenous Arab populations to maintain control over their homeland and state. The ongoing war pits Israeli demands for complete statehood as a hostile region against Palestinian aspirations for a state of their own. The Israel-Palestinian conflict dates back to World War I when Britain, under the Balfour Declaration in October 1917, declared the Palestine region as a national home for fleeing Jews from Nazism. Following the declaration, a large-scale Jewish migration began. According to Mohammed Haddad and Alia Chughtai’s article, “Israel-Palestine Conflict,” between 1918 and 1947, the Jewish population in Palestine increased from 6 percent to 33 percent. Because of the great settler migration, Palestinians became wary of the demographic changes that led to the Great Arab Revolt, lasting from 1936 to 1939, in which Palestinian armed groups rebelled against British and Jewish settlements in an effort to resist colonialism.
More tensions were created when, in 1917, the United Nations voted for a resolution advocating for the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states and designating Jerusalem as an international city. While Jewish leaders accepted this proposal, it was met with rejection from the Arab side. The following year in 1948, British occupation withdrew from the region and David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s founding father, officially proclaimed the modern State of Israel to establish a safe haven for Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. Nearly 700,000 Palestinians either fled or were forcibly displaced from their homes during what they term as Al Nakba, translating to the “Catastrophe,” according to Reuters. After Israel was established as a Jewish safe haven, many Israel invasions followed, initiating the Six Day War in 1967 as strikes against Egypt and Syria to occupy the territories including the West Bank, Arab East Jeuralesum, and the Golan Heights. Likely, in 1982, there was an Israeli invasion in Lebanon which led to the evacuation of Palestinian fighters in the region under Yasser Arafat after a 10-week sage. Israel withdrew occupation from Gaza in 2005, however, Gaza experienced significant attacks in 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2021, and now 2023 which are marked by Israeli air raids and Palestinian fire resistance.
Currently, the war and conflict between Israelis and Palestinians came to the surface with greater tensions when Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Hamas) initiated a surprise attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023. Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni Islamist militant group that aims for Palestinian liberation,
is the largest militant group in the Palestinian territories. Hamas has openly “rejected any prospect of peace or coexistence with the state of Israel” and has claimed that Hamas yearns for the “establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state” with the “return of [Palestnian] refugees and the displaced to their home” in Palestine, according to the Wilson Center’s article, “Doctrine of Hamas.” Hamas defended their attack as a response to what it calls “Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people” (Wilson Center). Following the Hamas attack for Palestinian liberation, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, released a statement that Israel “rejects international dictates regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians” and that “Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.” As the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians escalates, it further fuels populist sentiments within Israeli populations. Populist leaders often capitalize on such conflicts to bolster their own agendas, exploiting nationalist sentiments and aggravating divisions within society. Populist rhetoric thrives in crises, championing unwavering leadership that resonates with those seeking strength amidst turmoil. The failure of traditional diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict can contribute to a sense of disenchantment with mainstream politics, leading more individuals to turn to populist figures who offer seemingly straightforward solutions and promise to prioritize the interests of their own people above all else.
Israeli leaders have often utilized populist ideologies and strategies in navigating the complexities of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, employing rhetorics and policies aimed at garnering domestic support and maintaining a hardline stance on security and territorial issues. Juan Francisco Fuentes, in his article “Populism the Timeline of a Concept,” positions that the “essence of populist imagery” proposes the concept of “pure people versus the corrupt.” This emphasizes the centrality of the “us versus them” paradigm within political discourse, highlighting a role in shaping collective identity and mobilizing support by framing political struggles as battles between the virtuous “us” and the nefarious “them.” In this instance, the Israel-Palestine manifests as Arabs against Jews, portraying an ethnic and religious divide. The Israeli prime minister’s office reported that Netanyahu claimed that “after Hamas is destroyed Israel must retain security control over Gaza to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel” according to Al Jazeera. The statement released by the prime minister’s office, emphasizing the need to destroy Hamas, reflects an “us versus them” populism concept by framing the conflict as a struggle between Israel and its enemies. Hamas has consistently aimed to protect the indigenous Arab people in Palestine, advocating for their rights to their homeland and liberation from Israeli occupation. The rhetoric surrounding the destruction of Hamas aligns with a Zionist ideology with Israeli politics portraying Hamas as an obstacle to peace. Israel’s prime minister positions the state as the defender of its people against perceived external threats, such as Hamas.
Netanyahu has consistently employed populist rhetoric to reinforce Zionist deals and consolidate his political power throughout his political positions. Israeli leaders and other global political figures have employed Zionist populist rhetoric to mobilize opposition against Palestinian Arabs by portraying Arabs as a formidable political entity posing a threat to the Israeli government. In 2015, Netanyahu filmed and posted to his Facebook stating “the rule of the right is in danger” and “Arab voters are streaming in droves to polling stations,” thus with Israeli citizen's help “with God’s help we’ll establish a national government that will defend Israel.” This reflects concerns about potential electoral shifts due to increased Arab voter turnout, implying that this could threaten the rule of the right-wing Israeli government. The statement urges supporters to counter this by rallying groups to align with right-wing parties that prioritize Israel’s security interests, highlighting the urgency felt by right-wing Israeli parties to maintain political power. Netanyahu strategic utilization of populist rhetoric reflects his consistent approach to leveraging divisive narratives to mobilize support and consolidate power.
An exploration of populist rhetoric in the media reveals its pervasive influence beyond political platforms, shaping public discourse and perceptions. Censoring media coverage aligns with populist agendas as it allows populist leaders to control information flow, shaping narratives to reinforce their messaging and bolstering support among their followers. Since the Israeli-Gaza war began on October 7 2023, journalists and media across the region have faced hostile environments which have made reporting exceptionally difficult. There has been a notable trend of Israeli soldiers neglecting the protection of journalists, indicating a disregard for press safety and media freedom in the region. Journalists from Sky News Araba, FIras Lutfi, and Raed El-Helw reported when covering the October 7 attack, Israeli “forces targeted them with tear gas and unidentified bullets from what they thought was a safe area” according to Mohamed Mandour from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Mandour continues to state that Lutfi and El-Helw were “wearing their media vests and informed soldiers they were members of media.” However, El-Helw stated that it was a “deliberate sniper attack” to which he “observed a laser light on his hand before he was targeted.” This deliberate targeting, as described by El-Helw, suggests a concerted effort to silence journalists. Likely, BBC reported that the BBC Arabic Team, Muhannad Tutunji, and Haitham Abudiab “were assaulted and held at gunpoint after they were stopped by police in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.” Tutunji and Adudiab reported that they identified themselves with their BBC journalist press IDs however, were dragged out of their marked press vehicle to undergo an inspection by Israeli militants. This pattern of deliberate targeting not only poses a grave threat to the safety of journalists but also undermines press freedom by instilling fear and hindering the ability of media professionals to report on events. This suppression of journalists by Israeli forces echoes tactics to control narratives opposing the principles of democracy and the preservation of a free press.
Since the attacks on October 7th, there has been a notable surge in the dissemination of Zionist content across social media channels. The surge of content trickles down from Zionist populist leaders to their citizens, exploiting polarizing narratives to fuel nationalist sentiments for political objectives. An illustrative example of this phenomenon can be found in Jeremy Loffredo's documentary, titled "Kill Them All: Inside the Israeli Blockade on Gaza Aid," which was published on YouTube by The Grayzone. The documentary sheds light on the thoughts and motives of Israeli citizens regarding the conflict. Loffredo captures statements, at an Israeli blockade to prevent aid to Arabs in Gaza, “[Palestinians] can starve to death” and “Kill them. I don't care.” This documentary serves as a stark portrayal of the dehumanizing rhetoric and attitudes perpetuated by certain segments of Israeli society. It underscores the urgent need to confront polarizing rhetoric in dismantling the divisive “us versus them” narrative perpetuated by populism.
From a populist perspective, the Israel-Palestine conflict has deep ramifications, often exploited to fuel nationalist sentiments and bolster support for populist leaders, perpetuating a divisive narrative that undermines prospects for peaceful resolution. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, since the initial attack on October 7, there have been over 32,333 Palestinians killed in crossfire of Israeli attacks, and an estimated 1,200+ Israelis killed as well. By November 24, 2023, 30 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals had been bombed while civilians were seeking shelter, according to Annie Sparrow from Foreign Policy. This illustrates the vast power disparity between Israeli forces and Palestinians, underscoring the overwhelming force wielded by Israeli military operations, indicating an extreme humanitarian crisis in the region.
It is evident that the Israel-Palestine conflict serves as a complex case study through which to examine the dynamics of populism. Through exploring various dimensions of this conflict, including its historical roots, geopolitical implications, and the role of populist rhetoric, my initial understanding of populism has changed. This case study underscores the dynamic nature of populism, revealing its potential to evolve into authoritarian regimes when political leaders seek to consolidate power and suppress its opposing agendas. It is clear that populism, with its ability to exploit societal divisions, can manifest in authoritarian tendencies that undermine democratic principles and exacerbate conflict.
Works Cited
“BBC Journalists Held at Gunpoint by Israeli Police.” BBC News, BBC, 15 Oct. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67102956.
Chacar, Henriette. “Netanyahu Rejects International Pressure for Palestinian State ...” Edited by Sharon Singleton, Reuters, 16 Feb. 2024, www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-rejects-international-pressure-palestinian-state-2024-02-16/.
“Doctrine of Hamas.” Wilson Center, 20 Oct. 2023, www.wilsoncenter.org/article/doctrine-hamas.
Elchardus, M., & Spruyt, B. "Populism, Persistent Republicanism and Declinism: An Empirical Analysis of Populism as a Thin Ideology." Government and Opposition (London), vol. 51, no. 1, January 2016, pp. 111–133. Cambridge University Press, https://doi.org/10.1017/gov.2014.27. Accessed 18 February 2024.
Fuentes, Juan Francisco. “Populism the Timeline of a Concept.” Contributions to the History of Concepts, vol. 15, no. 1, 2020, pp. 47–68, https://doi.org/10.3167/CHOC.2020.150103. Accessed 18 February 2024.
Haddad, Mohammed, and Alia Chughtai. “A Brief History of Israel-Palestine Conflict in 10 Maps.” Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 29 Nov. 2023, www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/27/palestine-and-israel-brief-history-maps-and-charts.
“Israel Gaza War: History of the Conflict Explained.” BBC News, BBC, 15 Nov. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44124396.
“Israel’s Netanyahu Doubles Down on Opposition to Palestinian Statehood.” Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 21 Jan. 2024, www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/21/israels-netanyahu-doubles-down-on-opposition-to-palestinian-statehood.
“Occupied Palestinian Territory.” United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations, www.ochaopt.org/.Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
Talshir, Gayil. “Populist Rightwing Ideological Exposition Netanyahu’s Regime as a Case in Point.” SCIRP, Scientific Research Publishing, 11 Apr. 2018, www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=83990#return25.
“What’s the Israel-Palestinian Conflict About and How Did It Start?” Edited by Edmund Blair, Reuters, 11 Oct. 2023, www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-palestinian-dispute-hinges-statehood-land-jerusalem-refugees-2023-10-10/.
Part Two:
I wanted to write in an academic analytical style since it provides a structured format for presenting an argument, evidence, and analysis. I have always preferred academic writing since it enables me to have an in-depth exploration of complex topics and encourages critical thinking and scholarly research. When picking my topic, I had initially chosen the current discourse and state between Palestine and Israel as a means for me to fully grasp the historical roots and to understand the state of the war and how it came to be. I had seen this as an opportunity for me to learn more and dive further into a subject that is at the forefront of mainstream politics, media, and humanitarian crises. I chose this genre since it enabled me to contribute to the academic discourse surrounding populism and geopolitical conflicts while also acquiring knowledge through this.
Academic writing typically adheres to a formal tone. Usually, I opt for an academic analytical approach because my aim is to present a topic as objectively as possible, ensuring thoroughness in my writing style. I prefer to utilize MLA formatting due to my familiarity and proficiency with its guidelines, finding it the most comfortable and reliable option for my writing style. When writing, especially through an academic tone, I am to have my writing be objective and analytical, avoiding personal opinions or biases. In accordance with typical MLA formatting conventions, I lay out my research first beginning with a clearly stated thesis statement in the introduction, setting forth the central argument to be explored. Each argument I tried to present and support each with thorough evidence and analysis, utilizing citations from reputable sources. By providing citations to substantiate claims and integrating scholarly analysis to support each argument, I believe my paper upholds the rigor expected in academic discourse, thereby enhancing its credibility and reinforcing the validity of my assertions. This systematic approach ensures the credibility and validity of the arguments that I put forth, adhering to the standards of academic writing.
The range of audiences that academic writing is primarily aimed at are scholars, researchers, students, and professors. Academic writing, its primary function is to contribute to the academic discourse by presenting original research, critical analysis, and theoretical frameworks that expand understanding and generate new insights. However, depending on the accessibility and relevance of the content, academic writing may also appeal to policymakers, journalists, and the general public seeking in-depth analysis and understanding of complex issues. Academic writing can extend beyond the confines of academia, particularly when the content addresses topics of broader societal relevance or public interest. For instance, a policymaker may turn to academic literature for evidence-based insights and expert opinions to inform decision-making processes related to governance. Academic writing can offer valuable perspectives on complex issues from healthcare, environmental sustainability, social inequality, and even more which may help policymakers develop informed strategies to address pressing challenges and issues. In the same matter, journalists may draw upon academic sources to enrich their reporting and provide context for current events and trends. By incorporating insights from academic literature, journalists can enhance the quality and credibility of their reporting.
In my case, I wanted to aim for my audience to be generalized to any student, particularly those in college currently. Through my writing, I want to contribute new insights and educate students who are not experts in this subject or lack knowledge of it. It is especially important now to completely understand what is happening between Palestine and Israel and those affected by the war. I want to educate people regarding this subject as it has been classified as a humanitarian crisis and over 30,000 innocent people have died because of the war. I aimed to objectively write this stance as a means to promote critical thinking and encourage informed dialogue among students of this subject. It's important to recognize that the generation I am part of, Gen-Z, has been the only generation to grow up with digital tools, social media, and on-demand information into our learning experiences and communication styles. Gen Z stands at a pivotal point where we have the unprecedented ability to swiftly leverage social media platforms to raise awareness about pressing issues. Gen Z wields significant power through our use of social media platforms, offering a unique opportunity to amplify voices and spread awareness on critical global issues like the conflict between Israel and Palestine. With the ability to spread information to vast audiences, Gen Z can spark meaningful conversations, challenge misconceptions, and advocate for positive change. By educating each other on the complexities of this conflict, we can foster empathy, understanding, and solidarity, ultimately contributing to a more engaged global community. My audience is served to students to raise awareness and utilize platforms to educate each other further.