Intellectualism Under Seige: Examining the Fringes’ Ideological Predation on Israel-Palestine.

With the world shrouded in endless discourse, there’s never been a more opportune time for intellectualism to shine. Sadly, as public discourse stands, its enlightening beacon has never been dimmer. This essential tool has waned in the growing shadow of “Ideological Predation.” The phenomenon that intentionally seeks out social discourse for political gain and ideological fulfillment. Its rejects the critical thought process produced from competing viewpoints. An ingredient crucial to Intellectualism. This affect is most common found, if not exclusively, in “Progressive” Liberals and Far-right Conservatives. For the former group, this is to make space for highly sought moral superiority, which subsequently breeds vapid displays of performative “activism.” For the politically-right, this phenomenon outright rejects nuanced viewpoints to reinforce philosophical dogmas. In fact, that’s applicable to the Left’s fringe as well. So what minority cause best captures this threat of Ideological Predation for Progressives and the Far-Right? You may have guessed it: Israel-Palestine. Though for purposes of this piece, and their broader ideology, I submit the label “Regressives” as a more accurate term for “Progressive” Liberals.

As the Israel-Palestine crisis approaches its harrowing 18th-month anniversary, both camps’ supporters are dug in. For the pro-Palestine camp, their stance concerns the creation of an official Palestinian state, a permanent and sustained ceasefire to the war, and a full withdrawal of Israeli military presence. For many, these objectives are unimpeachable in their sincerity, and sorely needed in the face of 45,000+ Palestinian deaths. Of the slain Palestinians, ~28,000 are women and children. Netanyahu’s military response has seen a strip of densely-populated land decimated and a staggering 1.9 million Palestinians displaced. Dismal food and medical supplies have subjected Gaza’s populace to the brink. This crisis has devolved to the point that decades are required to witness any semblance of recovery, per UN agency estimates. The plight of Gazans has rightfully attracted countless advocates across the globe, many of which echo the litany of measures required to address the suffering. As both camps’ supporters have settled in, there are several ideological shortcomings present in both.

Regressives’ ideological predation of the Israel-Palestine crisis first takes form in a reluctant condemnation of Hamas. Since their electoral victory in 2005, Hamas has been a catalyst of enduring security threats towards Israel. Though Israeli leadership, namely Benjamin Netanyahu, have played on this discourse by propping up the terrorist threat. Still, the October 7th massacre didn’t occur in a vacuum. Many pro-Palestine advocates’ refusal to recognize the perpetual dangers of Hamas colors their advocacy in an unpleasant hue. Since the October attack, Liberals have polled a sizable decrease in their belief the current crisis originated with Hamas’ pre-meditated massacre. Instead, a growing pocket of Liberals attribute the horror of the October 7th attack squarely at the feet of Israel. I understand how Palestinian deaths seem to mitigate the triggering events on October 7th, but we must remain accurate in our analysis. The mounting deaths in Gaza undoubtedly demonstrate Netanyahu’s disproportionate quest for retribution, but it doesn’t supplant the event that knowingly triggered its response. It would be intellectually dishonest to ignore, or worse, deny, the fact that Hamas leadership understood Palestinian deaths would result in the tens of thousands as a result of their attack. To attempt to get a Regressive to accept this reality is the equivalent of attempting to climb Mt. Everest…with asthma. Both events can be acknowledged without sacrificing the recognition the atrocities Gazans are enduring. Do not fall prey to ideological capture. Assess the claim from all the events that contributed to this crisis.

Another way Regressives predate on this horror takes root in characterizing what should be non-partisan pleas to release Hamas hostages as anti-Palestinian racism. The toxicity that has congealed on social media and the Spring 24’ campus protests frames the mention of freeing the Israeli hostages as “pro-Israeli propaganda.” But I ask you: when has a plea to free hostages known any political affiliation, nationality, or religion? The fact that pleas for Hamas to “free the hostages” on social media would condemn the publisher as a supporter of Palestinian suffering is heinously lacking in logic. But this default response by many pro-Palestine advocates isn’t without a purpose. It intentionally operates to cast the suffering in this heinous crisis as a zero-sum game. Though the thousands of innocent civilians deaths in Gaza and Israel aren’t the only victims. In the midst of all the contention, another group has been condemned to the dark. Mounds of substantiated evidence has shone light on the horrific sexual violence, namely rape, dozens of women suffered during the October 7th attack. Sheryl Sandberg, a producer heading a sexual violence prevention non-profit in Israel, has been developing a documentary on the rape and sexual abuse by Hamas militants. A subject that has suffered a horrendous lack of attention. Still, the mention of such rape, while less readily downplayed, ominously casts the speaker as “searching for justification for Palestinian suffering.” If this any side’s reaction at the mention of serial rape by militants of a terrorist organization, women, regardless of wherever they be, are doomed to endure many dark days to come. And to make the irony more bitter, is that this response is markedly observed most often amongst “Progressives”. And so Ideological capture lives on. Tragically, the same cannot be said for “Progressive” feminism. However, discussion of this concern would be remiss if the recorded sexual violence of Israeli Security Forces (“ISF”) against Palestinian detainees was not mentioned. Since the Hamas October 7th terror attack, and even prior, numerous episodes of sexual violence employed by the ISF as means of interrogation have been corroborated by UN agency-sanctioned investigations and survivor testimonials. This serial use of sexual violence by the ISF demonstrate that crimes against women endure across the region, and that both sides have long strides yet to be made. Sexual violence from a terrorist group is to be expected, but from those in a nation’s military uniform, drapes that uniform in not just shame, but betrayal of the ideals uniformed soldiers of a democratic nation are expected to embody.

“If Hamas had the ability to commit genocide against Israel and wipe it off the Earth, they would. Israel does have the ability to wipe Palestine off the Earth, and it doesn’t.”

Perhaps the greatest symptom of Regressives’ ideological predation on this crisis is the repeated claim Gaza is experiencing a genocide. I write this with great sympathy, but a more accurate characterization on the crisis in Gaza would be a massacre. Massacre is defined as an “indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of a people.” Unlike Genocide, it isn’t confined to any numerical limit, with exception of eradication of the target population as a whole, in which case, genocide would in fact be more apt. Although this term is far less in vogue given its less dramatic connotation compared to its ‘genocide’ counterweight, its meaning is more akin to the reality of Israeli’s military campaign. Genocide is defined as “the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group, with the deliberate intention of destroying said nation or group.” This is where our passions overwhelm our ability to distinguish the two meanings. Yes, both ‘massacre’ and ‘genocide’ embody a common theme: the intentional slaying of peoples on a large-scale. With genocide, however, large-scale slayings are accompanied with the explicit intent to eradicate its intended target. As Bill Maher aptly, albeit crudely, summarized the ‘genocide’ claim on an episode of his talk show, “If Hamas had the ability to commit genocide against Israel and wipe it off the Earth, they would. Israel does have the ability to wipe Palestine off the Earth, and it doesn’t.” That is because Israel seeks to specifically eradicate Hamas. Of course, in their quest to do so, they have willfully subjected countless Palestinian lives to unfathomable atrocities. That is a fact we must never been pressured into whispering. While some Palestine advocates may scoff at this summarization, and attempt to discredit it by emphasizing how Israel’s political standing would be forfeited, this counter argument finds little solace. Ironically, it comes to demonstrate how Israel lacks genocidal intent. One of the hallmarks for a nation exercising genocide is in fact committing a genocide in spite of loss of political standing. That is why it is universally agreed the Holocaust was a genocide, because Adolf Hitler committed to Jews’ extermination in spite of the enormous political fallback from the global community.

None of this is to mitigate the horrific suffering Gazans continue to endure. But in order to best substantiate, and advocate for our stances, we have to have an intellectually honest discussion between our peers. To avoid such a debate so we may dramatize our claims for ideological appeasement is not how common ground is found. And it’s certainly not the way to persuade others as to the merit of one’s argument. Frankly, it’s sadistic and an affront to the very lives lost one purports to be advocating for. Of course massacres and genocide are horrendous, and do contain some overlap, but they ultimately describe the same thing, but to varying intensities. It is not hateful to recognize that distinction. It is, however, immoral and performative to conflate the two for one side’s political leverage.

A final symptom of Regressives’ ideological predation, and contender for the top spot, is the blind eye advocates have turned to heinous acts of anti-semitism and performative activism. Turning to anti-semitism, perhaps the most heinous blind eye from this camp was turned at Stanford University. In April 2024, an undergraduate protestor sat within the campus central square, White Plaza, and casually donned a Hamas headband in broad daylight. His photo was taken by two Stanford Jewish students and subsequently published across mainstream media. Despite the photo’s publication, a mortifying silence from pro-Palestine advocates filled the void that should’ve been the call for collective outrage. It was to the complete benefit of pro-Palestine advocates to condemn this student. To proclaim “we wholly reject this individual as part of our advocacy, and he does not represent our movement in any shape or form.” But no, it became apparent that such a rejection was too high a price to pay, lest they yield an imagined moral high ground. This price would continue to prove too extravagant at a more vocal transgression at Columbia University. Kyhmani James, a (former) undergraduate at the NYC ivy-league, published a video advocating for the deaths of Zionists, as “they don’t deserve to live.” Perhaps further remarking on his hunting ability, James further elaborated “I don’t fight to injure or for there to be a winner or loser, I fight to kill.” Once again, an opportune moment for Columbia’s pro-Palestine advocates was presented to condemn such wanton racism. Sadly, the grip of Regressives’ predation remained ironclad. No condemnation was widely shared by pro-Palestine advocates. James was later barred and suspended from Columbia upon complaints submitted by the University’s Jewish population. Conversely, just as Regressives have doubled down in their camp, so too have the Far-Right in the pro-Israel side.

Ideological capture takes form in its own ways within the pro-Israel camp. Principal among them is the neglected empathy displayed towards the number of Gazan deaths. Current estimates on Gazan deaths have now surpassed a jaw-dropping 45,000. While many Israel advocates cast doubt on these figures, as they’re initially provided by the Hamas-run Palestinian Ministry of Health, several independent humanitarian groups have verified the figures as roughly accurate. The notion that Palestinian lives serve as a blank check to ensure Israeli security is an immeasurably weak argument. This is by no means to attribute this view to all those in the Israel camp, but there is an eerie sentiment secreted by many Israel advocates that Palestinian lives are lesser than their Israeli neighbors. And that is a charge of racism that holds undeniable merit. Israel has been burdened with barrages of Hamas rocket fire for decades, and so Israeli security is an understandable concern. But the weaponization of this fact to downplay the horrifying figures of Gazan civilian deaths is a stain that will never wash clean. The view Israeli lives are superior than their Gazan neighbors not only calls into question the possessor’s morals, but such wanton indifference, or worse, apathy, colors Israel’s image in the minds of generations to come. And this isn’t just commenting on Israel’s image in the minds of future Palestinian generations, but all cultures. Do not fall prey to ideological capture. Acknowledge the anguish inflicted on these communities, and the shortsightedness Israel’s military operations play in prolonging this conflict. You do not forfeit support for Israel by doing so.

The stain of Gazan deaths doesn’t just bloody the image of Israel in the eyes of the victims’ families, but ensure new, younger generations sympathetic to Hamas. This is another intellectual short-sight that dwells with many pro-Israel advocates. Supporters of Netanyahu’s actions often cast Israel’s ongoing military campaign as a “necessary evil” to permanently end Hamas rule. But the lack of foresight in anticipating the psyche amongst the Palestinian populace, particularly its younger generations, will prove to be a fatal flaw. If Hamas leadership were to be eradicated and the war come to a bitter end, how long would it take for younger Palestinians to find solace with the terror group’s philosophy? With the sight of decimated cities, hospitals, parks, and schools all around them…likely not long. And so the 76-year long history of fighting gains another sequel. This demonstrates the dire need for pro-Israel advocates to speak up against Netanyahu’s disproportionate response. To have his military cabinet remain unopposed in their retribution poses immense threat to a sustained peace. It’s enraging to listen to numerous pro-Israel advocates disregard the anguish of the Gazan populace. And for those that do, their responses to Gazan’s plight is riddled with clumsy attempts to justify Israel’s airstrikes. There are many pro-Israel advocates who need to reconcile the fact that criticizing the brutal airstrikes doesn’t sacrifice any love they hold for Israel. What is lost, however, is the willingness of generations of Palestinians in pursuing a sustained peace. Do not fall prey to ideological capture. Assess Israel’s military response from the eyes of those who witnessed the ravaging of their homes and families, and realize for every innocent killed, 10 future militants may be born.

An additional symptom of ideological capture is the swift rejection from many pro-Israel advocates re: charges of Israel exercising apartheid policies. Per reports by Amnesty International and UN human rights groups, Israel has effectuated policies that intentionally disparage the rights of Arabs, both within Israel itself and in Palestine. These violations of International law hail from gutting the 2003 Right to Return law to Kismet-passed laws meant to legally advantage Israeli citizens. Pro-Israel advocates will often juggle defenses such as Israel’s security or altogether deny equating Israeli-Arabs as second class citizens. But blanket justifications such as Israel’s security do not overcome the supporting evidence of these charges. It shrewdly operates to divert accountability from these prejudiced laws and the role they play in stoking the bias that Israelis, both in government and society, harbor for their Arab counterparts. Do not fall prey to ideological capture. Scrutinize the political tensions these Kismet policies perpetuate, and devote less time to branding any inequalities that are pointed out as naked “anti-semitism”. Israel has some headwind in making a racially equitable society. Pro-Israel advocates do not get to underplay this fact by weaponizing their own history of discrimination. Anti-semitism is the deliberate discrimination of persons on account of their Jewish heritage. It is not a defense mechanism to be deployed anytime someone points out Israel’s own discriminatory policies. Reject ideological capture and face the uncomfortable truths head on. You’ll be a more honest advocate for it.

This addictive trend of Ideological Predation/Capture has eroded our ability to critically think about any subject its applied to. The rot has set so deep that performative activism is confused with authentic pleas for change. What’s most enraging about all the commentary on this crisis is the blind puritanism both camps have developed. The unfathomable arrogance each side exhibits in believing their take on the Israel-Palestine crisis is infallible, and only mortal fools could possibly take issue with their arguments is dizzying. The goal for advocacy must always prioritize the eradication of the conflict it seeks to bring attention to. That is the inherent paradox of advocacy. It is a tool used to solve a problem that will eventually render the tool itself redundant. This is not achieved through mindless display of narcissistic resistance, where one’s own vanity is prioritized above the cause it pretends to advocate on behalf of. Whether that be the GWU undergraduates who desecrated the bronze bust of George Washington with a Palestinian flag and spray paint, or the vile student at Stanford who unapologetically donned a Hamas headband in the campus square without rebuke from “Progressives.” These immensely confused students took the opportunity, which has been afforded to them in a country their parents intentionally sought to settle in, and declared their own vanity as the centerpiece for their “advocacy”. God help us all if this is the face of modern American “Progressivism.”

To end with a general warning, this rise in Ideological Predation threatens the very tools younger generations must be equipped with to address the world’s problems: critical thought and intellectual debate. As world affairs currently stand, our youth are embattled with increasing erratic climate patterns, consolidation of generational wealth, paralyzing political division between men and women, and countless other fronts. To best redress these issues, it will take substantial collaboration. Collaboration in bipartisan economic policies to address housing and affordability, compromise on socio-political tensions, and multilateral resolutions to international relations. This collaboration cannot take place if it’s inhibited anytime you encounter a differing opinion. Just as tension and temperature collide to make diamonds, intellectualism shines best when it is the product of robust and open debate. Ideological Predation opposes this process, and ensures that all causes that require solutions will remain just that, causes without solutions.