Zionism From the Standpoint of its Victims

The speaker recalls a scene from a film that profoundly affected them, despite not liking the entire movie. They discovered the film, 'Notre Musique' by Jean Luc Goddard, in a bar in Beirut in 2018. The film features Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, whose words left a strong impression on the speaker, pushing them to reflect on the scene's meaning over the years, particularly in light of recent violence against Palestinians.

Reflecting on recent events, the speaker connects the necessity of storytelling in the Palestinian struggle with a 2014 TED Talk by the late poet, Refaat al-Areer. Al-Areer's assassination underscores the importance of stories in preserving identities and resisting oppression. Storytelling connects Palestinians with their past, present, and future, becoming a form of resistance against dehumanizing narratives.

The speaker discusses the dehumanization of Palestinians by Israeli and Western institutions, linking it to colonialism and eurocentrism. Despite historical support from previously colonized societies, recent shifts in global North's discourse show increasing solidarity for Palestinian liberation. Storytelling emerges as a powerful tool of resistance, offering counter-hegemonic narratives that challenge dominant Zionist narratives.

Citing Edward Said and Salman Rushdie, the speaker emphasizes the fragility of Palestinian narratives compared to the institutionalized Zionist narratives. Stories serve as sites of resistance and empowerment, preserving Palestinian identity against attempts to erase their history. The importance of continually retelling these stories is highlighted as a way to combat narrative disappearance and maintain cultural memory.

The narrative discusses how colonizers, including the Zionist movement, have historically undermined native stories by eliminating storytellers. Citing examples, the speaker highlights how Palestinian resistance involves storytelling that counters attempts to erase their culture. The narrative stresses understanding structural histories from subaltern perspectives to grasp the continued impact of colonial legacies and Zionism's role today.

The speaker delves into the historical context of Zionism's colonial roots, tracing its alignment with British imperial interests. The Zionist movement, led by figures like Theodor Herzl, sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine, disregarding the indigenous population. This colonial mindset persists, dehumanizing Palestinians and justifying land expropriation under fallacious reasoning of superior utilization, exemplified by early Zionist propaganda.

Continuing with the colonial theme, the speaker illustrates the systemic erasure of Palestinian existence through cultural attacks, such as destroying libraries and archives. Such actions are portrayed as efforts to 'kill the story' of Palestine. Despite these attempts, Palestinian narratives persist, starkly contrasting Zionist propaganda that claims civilizational superiority while ignoring the cultural and historical richness of the native people.

The persistence of Palestinian narratives is discussed at length. While past Zionist attempts to erase Palestinian identity through violence and cultural suppression continue, recent works by academics and artists highlight Palestinian resistance and existence. Films and writings challenge Zionist narratives by vividly portraying Palestinian experiences and the violent realities of the Nakba, offering a more truthful representation of history and ongoing oppression.