Apartheid’s Narrative

Aisha Saeed

The Palestine conflict remains a deeply entrenched issue with a complex history and ongoing tensions that have captured the world’s attention for many decades. The recent events, however, have the world grappling with its moral values, international conventions, and treaties as it appears helpless, almost fearful to condemn Israel for its blatant violations of human rights that it continues to commit every second. The condemnation for actions committed by Hamas however has been more on the forefront even from unexpected organizations such as the World Uyghur Congress and other groups that are funded by countries like the United States. Other prominent figures have called for a ceasefire yet refrained from open condemnation of Israel; which speaks highly of their hypocritical standards on the subject. Leading international channels and papers are also running stories supporting the Israelis and giving airtime to the anti-Palestine narrative.

The protracted struggle in this enduring conflict finds its origins in a web of factors, including historical grievances, competing national identities, territorial disputes, and overarching security concerns. The underlying patterns and dynamics continue to shape the current state of affairs, where the narrative is being pushed to cover the atrocities against the Palestinians from even organizations with little recognition and reliability.

The impact of narratives in a conflict goes down in the records as history. Narratives play a pivotal role, often serving as the driving force behind disputes, disagreements, and even full-blown wars. Narratives, in this context, refer to the stories, beliefs, and shared interpretations that individuals or groups use to make sense of events, experiences, and their relationships with others. These narratives are deeply embedded in the human psyche, reflecting not only our perceptions but also our biases, values, and identity. In conflicts, narratives can be explicit or implicit, written or oral, but they all serve the same purpose: to justify and explain one’s actions, perceptions, and the course of events.

One of the most potent narrative elements in conflict is the construction of identity. People often define themselves in opposition to others, and this process can lead to in-group and out-group dynamics. These identity narratives not only create a sense of belonging and purpose but also fuel conflict when they perceive threats to their identity. When groups perceive their identity as under attack, they may engage in defensive actions, which can exacerbate conflicts.

The Palestinian-Israel conflict is deeply rooted in competing narratives. But the power and the support that Israel has, its narrative is multiplied by its allies. Both sides have constructed narratives that define their historical rights to the land, and these narratives are intertwined with their respective identities. But only one holds the ownership of this narrative. Any compromise that threatens these narratives is often met with fierce resistance by Israel. Narratives are often fueled by confirmation bias, a cognitive bias that causes individuals to seek out information and experiences that confirm their existing beliefs and reject information that contradicts them. In the context of conflict, this can lead to a reinforcing cycle of narratives that strengthen the positions of opposing parties. People on all sides of a conflict tend to interpret information in ways that support their pre-existing narratives, making resolution more challenging.

But with this, political narratives have become increasingly polarized. Individuals consume news from sources that align with their existing beliefs, leading to a reinforcing cycle where their narratives are continually reaffirmed, making it difficult to find common ground or compromise. For those who support Israel, this holds. Narratives are a potent tool in the hands of those who seek to manipulate public opinion, whether for political gain or to incite violence. Propaganda often relies on carefully crafted narratives to manipulate people’s emotions, beliefs, and behaviors. State-controlled media, extremist groups, and authoritarian regimes have all effectively harnessed the power of narrative to promote their agendas.

Consider the case of Nazi Germany, where the state propagated a narrative of Aryan supremacy and Jewish conspiracies. This narrative was instrumental in justifying the Holocaust and other atrocities. Similarly, in contemporary conflicts, organizations use narratives to recruit and radicalize individuals, portraying themselves as defenders. This, however, is used by Israel as a state policy. Historical narratives play a crucial role in ongoing conflicts. They shape how people view past injustices, grievances, and victories. In many conflicts, different parties have conflicting historical narratives that fuel current tensions. These historical narratives often contribute to a sense of victimhood and justify contemporary actions, creating a cycle of violence that is difficult to break. Resolving such conflicts requires addressing and reconciling these historical narratives.

Narratives are a pervasive and potent force in shaping or escalating conflict. Recognizing the role of narratives in conflict is essential for understanding the underlying dynamics and seeking ways to address them constructively. Whether at the personal, community, or international level, narratives play a pivotal role in shaping the course of the conflict and the potential for its resolution. Internet and social media platforms have changed the dynamics of the current Palestine- Israel conflict in terms of narrative but still, peace remains a long way from this conflict.

Aisha Saeed is a an independent media and foreign policy analyst. She tweets @MsAishaK.