Terminology, take care. Take care Pearls & Irritations that you don’t fall into the trap – fall into the trap that is being carefully set.
What is the trap? Why, the use of words. What words? Well, words such as ‘Gaza’, ‘Hamas’, ‘Hezbollah’, ‘terrorist’.
What can be wrong with using the word ‘Gaza’ – you say? Well, take the title of Michael Keating’s contribution to Pearls & Irritations edition of 30 November, A ceasefire in Lebanon – Gaza next.
The problem is this. Lebanon is a state, Gaza is a piece of land that forms a part of the State of Palestine. That can be said because the International Court of Justice. (ICJ) has said as much: Advisory Opinion, 19 July 2024. So too has the General Assembly of the United Nations said as much: Resolution – 18 September 2024.
Yes, it is true that Israel does not accept that to be the case. It is anathema for Israel to contemplate the West Bank and East Jerusalem as part of a state called Palestine. Nor would Israel like to see Gaza as a state – particularly one called Palestine. But having all but ended the possibility of human existence in Gaza, Israel can live with, for a time at least, others considering Gaza as a state. Just so long as they don’t look upon Gaza as part of a state, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
That is why it is necessary to be so careful in talking about “A ceasefire in Lebanon” or a ‘ceasefire’ in Gaza, or a ‘lasting peace in Gaza’.
I do not doubt Michael Keating’s good intentions when he calls for a “peace settlement in Gaza”. I just do not believe that he is seeing the wider picture.
Until Israel complies with the directives of the ICJ, and the General Assembly, and ends the occupation of all the lands comprising the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, there will be in existence an illegal occupation of Palestine, which Palestinians have a right – some would say – obligation, to resist. Any ‘ceasefire’, or “cessation of hostilities” must take that into account, and must be considered in that light. Indeed, there cannot be a true, i.e. permanent, ‘ceasefire’ in Gaza, without an end to the occupation.
That too, is the reason why care must be taken with the use of the words Hamas, or Hezbollah. Of course, ‘Hamas’, and ‘Hezbollah’, each have meanings, but they are limited meanings. In the case of ‘Hamas’, it must not be misused for ‘Palestinians’. All members of Hamas are Palestinians, but clearly, not all residents of the territory known as Gaza, and not all Palestinians, are members of the political party known as Hamas. Different, but significant considerations apply to the use of the word ‘Hezbollah’ – many members of Hezbollah are no doubt Palestinians, descendants in most cases of Palestinians expelled from Israel during the Nakba, or whenever. So, what can “(A) ceasefire in Lebanon” really mean? It is said to be for 60 days. That makes sense. Hezbollah engaged in warfare with Israel in support of a ceasefire in Gaza. But what can that mean without a settlement with Palestinians?
In this context, too, must the use of the word ’terrorist’ be considered. Neither Hamas nor Hezbollah can be considered terrorist groups. True it is that Australia, and some other countries, have designated them as such. But that was done before the decision of the ICJ of 19 July. That decision recognised the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel, and the right of Palestinians to resist, including by armed conflict. Palestinians exercising that right are not terrorists. I repeat – Palestinians exercising that right are not terrorists! They are freedom fighters. Nor does the fact that it is said that Hamas seeks the destruction of Israel impact on this issue. Israel seeks the destruction of Palestine. Netanyahu speaks of “eradicating Hamas”. Have no doubt – that is the same thing in Netanyahu’s mind as the destruction of Palestine. If the decision of the ICJ or the resolution of the General Assembly are put into effect, a UN peacekeeping force of some description will ensure that any Palestinian government does not threaten the state of Israel and vice-versa.
Take care, be aware. Be aware that Israel and the Israeli lobby want nothing more, for example, than that you, the reader, will think of Gaza as a separate, nascent state; will think of Hamas as a terrorist organisation, ruling that nascent state. The Israel lobby cannot contemplate that you will think of Palestinians resisting an illegal occupation, and fighting for their self-determination, along with their fellow Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and, indeed, in Lebanon.
This article was about the improper use of language. It is also most appropriate to recognise the non use of language. As the weeks, and now months, pass since the General Assembly’s 18 September resolution giving effect to the ICJ decision and requiring the acceptance of a Palestinian state on the ’67 borders, do you ever wonder at the non reference to those words by our Australian government, by other Western governments, by our mainstream press, by journalists commentating, questioning, on the conflict?
Take care, be aware.
Paul Heywood-Smith is an Adelaide SC of some 20 years. He was the initial chairperson of the Australian Friends of Palestine Association, an incorporated association registered in South Australia in 2004. He is the author of The Case for Palestine, The Perspective of an Australian Observer published by Wakefield Press in 2014.
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