Calls for the destruction of Israel

There have been explicit or implicit expressions, statements, and rhetoric made by individuals, political entities, and factions within Arab, Islamic, Palestinian or left-wing^[1]^[2]^[3] discourse advocating for the elimination or annihilation of the State of Israel as a political entity. These anti-Zionist calls often involve the use of strong language, genocidal threats,^[4]^[5] or declarations aiming at the complete eradication of Israel from the region. Such expressions may be manifested in official statements, speeches, charters, or public discourse, reflecting a position that denies the legitimacy of Israel's existence and seeks its removal through various means, including military action or other forms of political and ideological resistance.^[6]^[5]

The history of calls for the destruction of Israel is rooted in the prelude to its establishment. Leaders such as Azzam Pasha of the Arab League threatened a "war of extermination" in the event that a Jewish state was established. Prior to the 1967 Six Day War, there was a nearly unanimous consensus among Arab nations aimed at the obliteration of Israel.^[7] Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser reiterated calls for the annulment of Israel's existence in the lead-up to the war. Contemporary discourse from political figures in Iran, including leaders like Ali Khamenei and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, continues to advocate for Israel's destruction, accompanied by antisemitic rhetoric and Holocaust denial.^[8] Islamist Palestinian organizations like Hamas^[9] and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad^[9] consistently promote the goal of Israel's elimination, as evidenced by their charters, statements, and actions, such as the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.^[10] Instances of media and propaganda within Palestinian discourse also contribute to expressions advocating for the destruction of Israel. The political slogan "From the river to the sea"^[11] has been linked to demands for a Palestinian state and the removal of a majority of its Jewish population, with ongoing debates about its implications and potential classification as antisemitic or hate speech.^[12]^[13]^[14]

^ Harpin, Lee. "Calls for the 'destruction of Israel' and '100% support for armed resistance' at SWP event". www.jewishnews.co.uk.
^ Quinn, Ben (2023-11-12). "Momentum founder says leftwingers 'in denial' about pro-Palestinian slogans". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
^ Sophie (2023-11-07). "The right don't get to say what our Palestine slogans mean". Socialist Worker. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
^ Tsesis, Alexander (2014–2015). "Antisemitism and Hate Speech Studies". Rutgers Journal of Law and Religion. 16: 352.
^ ^a ^b Krell, G., & Müller, H. (2012). Noch ein Krieg im Nahen Osten? Zum misslungenen Anstoß von Günter Grass zu einer überfälligen öffentlichen Debatte. (HSFK-Report, 2/2012). Frankfurt am Main: Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung.
^ "הפלסטינים רוצים להשמיד את ישראל". www.inn.co.il. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
^ Freilich, C. D. (2018). Israeli National security: a new strategy for an Era of change. Oxford University Press. p. 34, 37
^ Roomi, F. (2023). The Iran‐Israel Conflict: An Ultra‐Ideological Explanation. Middle East Policy. p. 94
^ ^a ^b Jaeger, David A.; Paserman, M. Daniele (2006). "Israel, the Palestinian Factions, and the Cycle of Violence". The American Economic Review. 96 (2): 45–49. doi:10.1257/000282806777212008. hdl:10419/33218. ISSN 0002-8282. JSTOR 30034612. S2CID 18626011.
^ Cite error: The named reference :10 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Elliott Colla, On the history, meaning, and power of “From the River To the Sea” Mondoweiss 16 November 2023.
^ "Israel-Hamas war: What does 'from the river to the sea' actually mean?". Sky News. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
^ "In Europe, Free Speech Is Under Threat For Palestine Supporters". Time. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
^ "The culture war over the Gaza war". The Economist. 28 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.

[1] Harpin, Lee. "Calls for the 'destruction of Israel' and '100% support for armed resistance' at SWP event". www.jewishnews.co.uk.

[2] Quinn, Ben (2023-11-12). "Momentum founder says leftwingers 'in denial' about pro-Palestinian slogans". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-26.

[3] Sophie (2023-11-07). "The right don't get to say what our Palestine slogans mean". Socialist Worker. Retrieved 2024-02-26.

[:62-4] Tsesis, Alexander (2014–2015). "Antisemitism and Hate Speech Studies". Rutgers Journal of Law and Religion. 16: 352.

[:0-5] Krell, G., & Müller, H. (2012). Noch ein Krieg im Nahen Osten? Zum misslungenen Anstoß von Günter Grass zu einer überfälligen öffentlichen Debatte. (HSFK-Report, 2/2012). Frankfurt am Main: Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung.

[6] "הפלסטינים רוצים להשמיד את ישראל". www.inn.co.il. Retrieved 2023-11-07.

[:2-7] Freilich, C. D. (2018). Israeli National security: a new strategy for an Era of change. Oxford University Press. p. 34, 37

[8] Roomi, F. (2023). The Iran‐Israel Conflict: An Ultra‐Ideological Explanation. Middle East Policy. p. 94

[:3-9] Jaeger, David A.; Paserman, M. Daniele (2006). "Israel, the Palestinian Factions, and the Cycle of Violence". The American Economic Review. 96 (2): 45–49. doi:10.1257/000282806777212008. hdl:10419/33218. ISSN 0002-8282. JSTOR 30034612. S2CID 18626011.

[:10-10] Cite error: The named reference :10 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[11] Elliott Colla, On the history, meaning, and power of “From the River To the Sea” Mondoweiss 16 November 2023.

[sky-12] "Israel-Hamas war: What does 'from the river to the sea' actually mean?". Sky News. Retrieved 28 October 2023.

[:8-13] "In Europe, Free Speech Is Under Threat For Palestine Supporters". Time. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.

[Economist20232-14] "The culture war over the Gaza war". The Economist. 28 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.

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