Christopher Jackson
Postcolonial Displacements
The word Post-colonialism explains itself as the time after colonization has occurred. In some cases, a region that had been relieved of colonialism has become independent, had the previously established culture ruined, or both. In the article provided by Ilan Pappé the reader is looking at plans for the Zionist’s plan for moving into Palestine. The main plan before moving people in was how best to remove the current inhabitants. After succeeding in moving a large population to this area it stands to reason that these Palestinians would be displaced.
The focus of this article was the planning for how hundreds of native Palestinians would be moved from the territory that would become Israel. This plan was being drawn out by Zionist leaders during the 1940s. The methods that was intended to be used included, “large-scale intimidation; laying siege to and bombarding villages and population centers; setting fire to homes, properties, and goods; expelling residents; demolishing homes; and, finally, planting mines in the rubble to prevent the expelled inhabitants from returning.” (Pappé, p. 6) It was made clear that Jewish nationalist had no intent to share the land. The article defines this as a kind of ethnic cleansing, which is fitting for the topic of postcolonial displacement.
After WWII, it became clear that something had to be done about Europe’s Jewish population. The Zionist must have seen this as the perfect opportunity to get boots on the ground. The result of this is the formation of the state of Israel. Though it did come at the cost of the Palestinian people by being forcibly removed. Despite the consequences of the movement it was necessary to complete the goal. The goal being the creation of a nation with a Jewish majority.
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If the majority of the population was not Zionists, do you think that the displacement of the Palestinians was hampered since the majority was not against him? Or were the Zionists loud and powerful enough to control the political affairs of Israel without having to have the support of the people
If the majority of the population was not Zionists, do you think that the displacement of the Palestinians was hampered since the majority was not against him? Or were the Zionists loud and powerful enough to control the political affairs of Israel without having to have the support of the people
Why would the Zionists so aggressive in this movement towards the Palestinians? Yes, they had always been looking for their own nationstate, but why, after the troubles they had been through in Europe in being displaced, would they turn around and be very similar?
You said “After WWII, it became clear that something had to be done about Europe’s Jewish population”. I would of phrased this a little differently because it sounds like the Jewish people themselves didn’t want to leave Europe. But I agree with you in the fact that post WWII was an opportunity for the Zionism movement to gain steam.