Gaza under siege: The continuation of Zionist demographic cleansing policies since the 19th century- UCA News

Gaza under siege: The continuation of Zionist demographic cleansing policies since the 19th century

This op-ed by Refaat Ibrahim argues that the Gaza war is not merely a defensive reaction, but the latest phase of a systematic, century-old Zionist colonial policy involving demographic cleansing and forced displacement.

People are seen loading their belongings onto a truck in this undated photo. (Photo: Pearls & Irritations)

Israeli propaganda versus historical reality

Israeli propaganda attempts to present the Gaza war as a “defensive reaction.” However, the historical record reveals a much darker narrative: systematic genocide, the destruction of civilian life, and deliberate efforts to uproot entire populations. This is a direct continuation of Zionist colonial policies dating back to the late 19th century.

These policies have consistently aimed to establish a racially pure Jewish state at the expense of Palestinians through forced displacement, economic blockades, and deliberate wars.

Historical roots of the conflict: Zionism and forced transfer

From the inception of the Zionist movement, Palestinians were viewed as a “demographic obstacle” to forming a Jewish state. Theodor Herzl, the founder of political Zionism, wrote in 1895:

“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 article highlights that Gaza is not an isolated case but a primary target of this ongoing colonial strategy.

Summary

The Gaza conflict is portrayed here as a continuation of a long-standing Zionist plan aimed at demographic cleansing and the creation of a racially homogeneous Jewish state.

ucanews.com — 2025-11-04