Raz Segal -- an Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies -- has lashed out at U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli leaders for using the Holocaust as a rhetorical tool in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Segal points out that while the recent conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas is a complex and distressing issue, comparing it to the Holocaust may not be an accurate or fair representation of the situation.
Segal called attention to the need for a comprehensive understanding of the historical and geopolitical context of the conflict.
"A powerful state, with powerful allies and a powerful army, engaged in a retaliatory attack against stateless Palestinians under Israeli-settler colonial rule, military occupation and siege, is thus portrayed as powerless Jews in a struggle against Nazis. Israel is demonizing Palestinians in the same way that Nazis did to Jews, to justify their genocide. The fantasy of 'fighting Nazis' drives such explicit language, because the image of Nazis is one of 'pure, unadulterated evil', which removes all laws and restrictions in the fight against it. Perpetrators of genocide always see their victims as evil and themselves as righteous," Segal said in a statement.
Furthermore, Segal suggests that presenting this conflict in a way that draws parallels with the Holocaust may not contribute to a just resolution. He asserts that both sides should be held accountable for any violations of international law, and that a truthful and informed assessment of the history and dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential for any prospects of long-term justice and peace.
Segal also pointed a finger at the danger of dehumanizing or demonizing the opposing side, which has been a recurring theme in many conflicts throughout history.
"Drawing comparisons to Nazis and the Holocaust can create a narrative that devalues the humanity of the "other" and can justify extreme actions. The use of Holocaust comparisons in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can oversimplify the complexities of the issue, distort the historical context, and hinder progress towards a just resolution," Segal warned.
