If you have read any of the post-Zionist “revisionist” historians, then Loot: How Israel Stole Palestinian Property, by Adam Raz, will not be overly shocking. Like every conflict, civilians on the losing side, in this case Palestinians, suffered special depravations. Like all armed forces, the pre-state Jewish militias and then the IDF engaged in looting Palestinian property. Also, scores of Israeli civilians engaged in widespread theft. This is well known at this point. Why it happened is the rub. Was it inevitable?
Raz’s thrust is that Ben-Gurion knew of the looting, but did not move to address it because these thefts fit with his strategic and ethnic goals. With their property and possession gone, Palestinians would have nothing to return to at the conclusion of the war. Raz’s proof is when Ben-Gurion ‘saved’ Nazareth from looting and ethnic cleansing – so as not to inflame Christian anger toward the new Jewish state. When he wanted to preserve a Palestinian population, and stop looting – he was able to do so.
No comments:
Post a Comment