ISRAEL CREATES ANOTHER GENERATION OF HATRED
By Vincent Lyn
As I gaze upon the aforementioned image depicting Palestinian children undergoing military training in a refugee camp in Jordan back in 1970, featured prominently on the cover of Life Magazine, I find myself pondering: has anything truly changed? Despite 75 years of persistent occupation, we find ourselves once again on the brink, witnessing Israel’s creation of yet another generation steeped in hatred. Reflecting on history, the events of the past six months represent an alarming escalation of violence inflicted upon Palestinian children. It prompts us to question: can we truly fault them for their reactions? When these children have been systematically deprived of everything essential, it’s only natural for them to seek retribution, much like any of us would in their shoes.
In Gaza, the next generation of radicalization begins. Netanyahu and his band of thugs claim that taking out Hamas will end its security problems. The evidence suggests the opposite.
For a significant number of Israeli and Western officials and commentators, the belief persists that a “military solution” to Hamas is the sole means for Israel to ensure its enduring security. Despite the tragic civilian casualties resulting from Israel’s military actions, this perspective argues that the ongoing threat posed by Hamas leaves Israel with no alternative but to continue the conflict until Hamas is eradicated, regardless of the duration or consequences.
Should it endure, it will inevitably seize another opportunity to strike, leaving Israeli citizens in perpetual unrest.
However, amidst recent discussions, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin notably highlighted the flaws in this reasoning. It serves as a reminder that when a state engaged in counterterrorism operations leaves behind a trail of human suffering, the ensuing anger, resentment, and hopelessness only serve to exacerbate the issue at hand, multiplying its impact manifold.
In a recent piece by Gideon Levy in Haaretz, he cautioned readers to reflect on the profound animosity instilled in the hearts of nearly all Israelis by a single barbaric assault. He urged consideration of the potential consequences of an even more devastating and protracted onslaught on the Palestinian population. Levy shared the poignant words of a Palestinian father, whose young son was killed by Israeli soldiers, expressing that such actions would eternally breed resentment in the hearts of children, shaping another generation committed to resistance.
Former UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace recently issued a stark warning, drawing parallels to the troubles in Northern Ireland, emphasizing that radicalization often stems from oppression. He stressed that an excessive response by the state could inadvertently bolster terrorist organizations.
These concerns have been echoed by security services globally. FBI Director Chris Wray recently cautioned that U.S. backing of Israel’s military campaign has prompted multiple terrorist groups to incite attacks against Americans and Western interests, heightening the risk of domestic attacks.
Furthermore, various U.S. government agencies have issued advisories and intelligence reports indicating credible threats from groups such as Al Qaeda and Hezbollah due to American support for the war. Similarly, German and British intelligence agencies have raised alarms about the conflict potentially exacerbating militant radicalization, citing specific threats from jihadist groups and their sympathizers.
Meanwhile, the conflict has served as a catalyst for Hamas despite — or perhaps because of — the immense human suffering resulting from the atrocities committed by the group in October. Surveys indicate a notable surge in the group’s popularity in both Gaza and, notably, the significantly larger West Bank. Recent events have bolstered its position, with its popularity skyrocketing by over 30 points. Concurrently, the influence of more moderate factions has waned, evidenced by an overwhelming majority of Palestinians advocating for the resignation of President Mahmoud Abbas and a smaller yet significant two-thirds majority favoring the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority under his governance.
The United States’ decades-long strategy of using military force to combat terrorism has proven to be counterproductive. Domestic terrorists often cite Western military interventions in the Middle East as motivation for their actions. Despite efforts such as the elimination of Osama bin Laden and other 9/11 plotters, as well as the dismantling of terrorist groups like ISIS, the U.S. military remains engaged in ground combat against terrorists in at least nine countries, with involvement in counterterrorism training in a total of 73 nations.
Over the past two decades, terrorist attacks in Africa have surged dramatically, increasing by a staggering 75,000 percent since the commencement of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region. During this period, the proliferation of transnational terror groups has been remarkable, evolving from none prior to September 11 to now encompassing dozens. The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point has identified Africa as the “new global epicenter of jihadi violence” as of summer 2021.
The information presented should prompt serious doubt regarding the assertions made by Israeli leadership that eliminating a handful of top Hamas leaders and combatants, despite the significant human toll, will resolve its security challenges. The evidence overwhelmingly indicates otherwise. Consequently, the sole viable solution appears to be a lasting political settlement, an option consistently dismissed by Israeli officials, with Prime Minister Netanyahu boasting of obstructing such efforts for decades.
Otherwise, Israel and its supporters in the United States may find themselves merely dismantling a group known as “Hamas,” only to encounter identical challenges posed by other groups with different names but identical intentions for violence.
The United States and numerous governments have diligently attempted to eliminate ISIS, Taliban, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, and over 60 other terrorist groups identified by the US State Department as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), along with an additional 10 self-proclaimed branches and affiliates of ISIS. Despite these efforts, these groups have become better equipped, trained, and more resilient. By perpetuating conflict, Israel is inadvertently nurturing future generations of hatred against itself.
Vincent Lyn
CEO & Founder of We Can Save Children
Deputy Ambassador of International Human Rights Commission (IHRC)
Director of Creative Development at African Views Organization
Economic & Social Council at United Nations (ECOSOC)
Rescue & Recovery Specialist at International Confederation of Police & Security Experts