In the past few months, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has reached new, dramatic dimensions. In the Gaza Strip, the actions of Israeli armed forces and settlers against Palestinians and volunteers delivering humanitarian aid have sparked immense controversy. This situation somewhat resembles a psychological mechanism in which individuals who experienced violence in childhood become perpetrators of violence as adults.
History of Persecution and Current Violence
The Jewish people, as a nation, have a painful history of persecution that culminated during the Holocaust, when six million Jews were murdered by Nazi Germany. This horrific experience has left a deep imprint on the national memory and has become a foundation of modern Israeli identity. Unfortunately, paradoxically, Jews who were victims of persecution are now accused of employing brutal methods against Palestinians.
Violence Against Palestinians and Volunteers
Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip are often seen as extremely repressive. The displacement of Palestinians from their homes, the killing of over 35,000 since October 7, 2023, property destruction, and blockades preventing food and medicine supplies are daily occurrences. More than 500 medical workers have already been killed. Many volunteers attempting to deliver humanitarian aid face brutal attacks by Israeli settlers and soldiers. These actions are often driven by fear and hatred, further inflaming the conflict and deepening the suffering of the civilian population.
Violence Against Medical Personnel
Amid the escalating health crisis, hospitals are struggling with a severe lack of basic resources. Patients are forced to spend time on the floors due to a shortage of beds, preventing dignified treatment conditions. The critical situation is worsened by power shortages, essential for operating vital medical equipment such as ventilators, incubators, and monitors.
Due to the lack of anesthetics, surgical procedures, including amputations, are performed without proper anesthesia, which is not only unethical but also poses a huge risk of trauma for patients. In desperate situations, even vinegar is used for wound and equipment disinfection, far from antiseptic standards.
Medical personnel face difficult choices as the lack of access to necessary medications like antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs limits their ability to provide care. As a result, only a few patients can count on full medical care. The healthcare system requires immediate corrective actions to effectively serve society.
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Psychological Mechanisms of Violence
Psychology recognizes a phenomenon where victims of childhood violence, who have experienced traumatic events, may replicate patterns of oppression in adulthood. This is a defense mechanism resulting from inner suffering and unresolved trauma. Similar phenomena can be observed in some of Israel’s actions towards Palestinians. The Jewish nation’s history, marked by suffering and persecution, may have influenced current attitudes and actions, which now resemble the cruelties they once suffered.
From Victims to Perpetrators?
Israeli settlers and some segments of the Israeli armed forces are accused of employing policies that echo their own painful history. For many observers, these actions seem like an attempt to „reverse roles,” where former persecuted individuals become persecutors. Numerous reports of attacks on Palestinians and volunteers, humanitarian blockades, and brutal pacifications confirm these concerns.
Psychological Mechanisms of Violence in the Context of Israeli Society
Defense mechanisms that apply to individuals can, to some extent, be transferred to the analysis of societies and governments’ behaviors. A community, like an individual, can respond to historical traumas through actions aimed at ensuring security and control. In Israel’s case, the national memory of the Holocaust and centuries of persecution may influence the government’s and society’s approach to security and relations with Palestinians.
Defense Mechanisms in Communities
Collective traumas, such as the Holocaust, can lead to a national narrative focused on survival and security. Defense mechanisms play a crucial role in shaping societies’ reactions to experienced suffering and threats. The fear of history repeating itself can make a society more inclined to accept harsh security measures and military actions as necessary for defense against threats. In Israel’s context, the memory of the Holocaust tragedy and long-standing persecutions may reinforce the conviction of the necessity of strong national defense and preemptive strikes.
Defense mechanisms in societies function similarly to those in individuals who have experienced trauma—projecting their fears and unresolved emotions onto external „enemies.” This can escalate conflicts, as a society driven by fear and the need for security may see threats where there are none or overreact to real dangers. Defense mechanisms, such as a strong sense of national unity against a common enemy, can lead to increased acceptance of radical military and political actions, resulting in escalating violence and difficulties in finding peaceful solutions to conflicts.
The memory of past sufferings and defense mechanisms can prompt societies to create policies based on strength and isolation rather than dialogue and cooperation. In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such defense mechanisms may be one of the factors hindering the achievement of lasting peace. International communities and peace mediators must understand these mechanisms to effectively support reconciliation processes and build mutual trust between the parties involved in the conflict.
Israel Bombed Rafah
Two days ago, at least 45 civilians were killed in an Israeli military attack on a displaced Palestinians’ camp in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a „tragic mistake” and explained that the tragedy resulted from a technical failure. In his statement to the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu assured that an investigation is underway to determine the exact causes and circumstances of this tragic event. He also emphasized that Israel had made every possible effort to avoid civilian casualties, having already evacuated about a million non-combatants from Rafah.
The attack on the Rafah camp has met with international condemnation. The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, called on Israel to conduct a „thorough and transparent investigation” into this attack. Wennesland stressed the need for accountability for any misconduct and urged immediate steps to better protect civilians. The massacre in Rafah has become another painful example of the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, constantly endangering the lives of innocent residents.
Palestinian Holocaust?
Some describe the situation in the Gaza Strip as a „Palestinian Holocaust,” an extremely controversial and painful term given the historical context of the Jewish Holocaust during World War II. Such comparisons evoke strong emotions and are the subject of intense debate in academic, political, and social circles. On one hand, using the term „holocaust” concerning Palestinians aims to highlight the scale and intensity of the suffering and systematic violence they experience. On the other hand, opponents of such language argue that it is inappropriate and diminishes the uniqueness of the Jewish Holocaust experience.
Despite the controversy over terminology, the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is undeniable and deeply disturbing. This conflict leads to tragic consequences, such as high numbers of civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction, and lack of access to basic necessities like food, water, and medicine. Daily life for Gaza residents is marked by violence, fear, and uncertainty. In this context, the call for immediate attention and intervention by the international community becomes incredibly urgent. Global humanitarian organizations, governments, and international communities must intensify their efforts to protect civilians, deliver essential humanitarian aid, and strive for a lasting resolution to the conflict based on justice, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence of both nations.
Summary
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most complex and long-standing disputes in the world. Analyzing the psychological mechanisms of violence and historical contexts can help understand why former persecuted individuals might become persecutors. However, to end this cycle of violence, peaceful actions, dialogue, and understanding are necessary, along with international intervention to help find a just and lasting solution for both nations.
