Gaza under siege: The continuation of Zionist demographic cleansing policies since the 19th century
Refaat Ibrahim argues that the war in Gaza is not a defensive act, but another step in a long-standing colonial project aimed at demographic cleansing and forced displacement of Palestinians. The image accompanying the article shows people loading their possessions onto a truck during evacuation.
The myth of defense and the history of displacement
While Israeli narratives often claim the assault on Gaza is a “defensive reaction,” historical evidence suggests otherwise. The consistent pattern reflects organized violence against civilians and systematic efforts to remove entire communities from their land.
“The removal of the Arabs from Palestine must form part of the Zionist plan. The poor population can be transferred across the border by denying them employment. This must be done quietly and carefully.”
This statement from Theodor Herzl’s 1895 diary illustrates the early ideological framework behind the displacement strategy. Since the late 19th century, these policies have pursued the creation of a homogeneous Jewish state through economic blockade, expulsion, and repeated military actions.
Historical roots and continuity
From its inception, Zionism regarded the Palestinian population as a demographic hurdle. The ongoing situation in Gaza today reflects not an isolated event, but a deliberate continuation of these long-term colonial objectives.
Author’s Summary
Ibrahim’s op-ed exposes the Gaza war as part of a century-long colonial project driven by demographic ambitions rather than security concerns.