The Distortion of Liberation Movements
Gaza is not the first place where liberation movements have been accused of "terrorism" by the West. Throughout history, colonial powers have sought to distort these movements in order to justify their own crimes against resistant peoples and break their will. This has happened in places like Algeria, Libya, and Vietnam.
Hamas: A Group Fighting for Liberation
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a striking statement, saying that Hamas is not a terrorist organization but rather a group fighting for liberation and to protect its lands and citizens. This challenges the attempts of Israel and its Western supporters to demonize the "Palestinian resistance," a tactic often used against global liberation movements.
The Consequences of Accusing Liberation Movements
Accusing any liberation movement of "terrorism" is usually a prelude to committing heinous violations against its members and the people it represents. This includes indiscriminate killing, torture, the use of prohibited weapons, displacement, and even genocide, as seen in the treatment of Native Americans by European colonizers.
The Situation in Gaza
What is happening in the densely populated Gaza Strip is deeply troubling. Civilians are being bombed, children and women are being killed, and infrastructure is being targeted with highly destructive bombs. This violence is preceded by media mobilization and the preparation of world public opinion to accept these massacres.
Historical Examples of Demonization
Similar demonization of liberation movements has occurred in the past. French colonialism in Algeria, Italian colonialism in Libya, and American occupation in Vietnam all involved branding the resistance as terrorists and treating the local populations as subhuman.
The Story of Omar Al-Mukhtar
Omar Al-Mukhtar, a leader of the Libyan resistance, fought against Italian occupation for twenty years. When he was captured and brought to trial, he was charged with rebellion, disobedience, and treason. He was executed in front of thousands of people. However, Al-Mukhtar became a symbol of resistance and liberation, even in the eyes of his former colonizers.
Recognition and Remembrance
Today, many international cities, including Gaza, have streets named after Omar Al-Mukhtar in his memory. The movie "Omar Al-Mukhtar" tells the story of his struggle and the suffering of the Libyan people under Italian occupation. It is a reminder of the use of chemical weapons and indiscriminate aerial bombardment of villages.
The Algerian Revolution
During the Algerian liberation revolution, the French colonialists used similar tactics of demonization. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune compared the French description of Algerians as "terrorists" to the current situation with Palestinians. The Algerian people supported the revolutionaries by razing villages, displacing residents, and placing them in guarded camps.
The Price of Freedom
The Algerian people paid a high price for their freedom, with one and a half million martyrs in less than eight years. This was compared to the killing of 23,652 French soldiers in the same period. The Palestinian movements, like Hamas, have also resorted to capturing Israelis as a means of achieving deterrence and exchanging them for Palestinian prisoners.
It is important to understand the history of liberation movements and the tactics used to distort their image. By recognizing the struggles of these movements, we can better understand the current situation in Gaza and support the fight for liberation and justice.
The Vietnamese Struggle for Liberation
Vietnamese situation is all about the fight for freedom and independence. You see, accusing Hamas of "terrorism" is just like what happened in Vietnam during the "colonialism and liberation" confrontations. Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap, who was a hero in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, once said, "Colonialism is a stupid student who only understands by repeating lessons."
The Fight for Liberation
Back in 1955, the United States got involved in Vietnam. They formed a government in the south to stop what they called "communist creep." On the other hand, the North Vietnamese wanted to bring the country together as one.
The Vietnamese people, along with the Vietnamese Liberation Army, fought a guerrilla war to liberate their homeland. The West accused them of "terrorism," but guess what? They didn't give up. They kept fighting and, in the end, they were able to free their country.
The Unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam
After 22 years of division, on July 2, 1976, the Vietnamese people achieved their goal. They announced the establishment of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It was a big win for them!
No People Lost the War
These experiences showed that no people can be defeated when they fight to liberate themselves from colonialism. The Vietnamese proved that even though the colonialist armies were stronger, their willpower and determination were even stronger.
