In his latest book, Palestine’s Hundred Years’ War: Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017, historian Rashid Khalidi takes a close look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, focusing specifically on the It was called the "Sixth Declaration of War". This perspective not only reveals Israel's strategy toward Palestine, but also attempts to trigger people's thinking about colonialism and its consequences.
Khalidi believes that this series of "declarations of war" are actually war actions by Western forces, especially Britain and the United States, against the indigenous Palestinian people.
In his book, Khalidi stresses that the period of the "sixth declaration of war" covers the violence between 2000 and 2014, particularly during the Second Palestinian Intifada, or Second Intifada. The concept is based on Israel's military crackdown on the Palestinian territories and its continued attacks on Gaza.
Khalidi pointed out that behind the continued violence is Israel's long-term strategy, which aims to completely weaken the Palestinians' resistance. He specifically mentioned that the US military support Israel received played an important role in the atrocities, including advanced weapons and military equipment. This support not only facilitates Israel’s military actions, but also perpetuates the oppression of the Palestinian people.
"The massive death toll and destruction of infrastructure was caused by lethal weapons supplied by the United States."
From Khalidi's conclusion, we can clearly see that this conflict was not a simple struggle between two countries, but a protracted colonial war. The essence of this war is to deprive the Palestinian people of their land and rights, making the predicament they face more complicated and lasting.
Khalidi stressed that all these declarations of war were not single events, but a series of planned actions aimed at consolidating a colonial presence.
In the historical context described by Khalidi, the "Sixth Declaration of War" is not just a symbol of a period of war, but also a continuation of ongoing oppression in various forms. Through this perspective, we can not only understand the history and current struggles of the Palestinian people, but also further reflect on the issues of fairness and justice in current international politics. How will these unresolved questions affect the fate of Palestine in the years ahead?