Zionism, since its founding over 120 years ago with the idea of establishing a Jewish state in Palestine, has shown cracks over time, as highlighted by Jewish researcher and historian Ilan Pappe in an article published on the British website "Saidcar". Presenting a comprehensive view, Pappe places the Zionist project in a precarious position that could ultimately lead to its collapse.
In his article titled "The Collapse of Zionism," Pappe offers a critical analysis of the current situation in Israel, focusing on the challenges and threats facing the occupying state. He begins by likening the events of October 7, 2023, to "an earthquake that struck an ancient building," revealing fissures in the foundations of the Zionist project. He poses questions about the possibility of its collapse after more than 120 years since its establishment on Palestinian land.
Pappe argues that there are historical factors that could contribute to the collapse of any state, such as continuous attacks from neighboring countries, chronic civil wars, and the breakdown of public institutions unable to provide services to citizens.
He then lists indicators that support his conviction of the inevitable decline of Zionism, as follows:
1- Internal Division:
Pappe discusses the beginning of the split within the Zionist Jewish society into two competing camps: "State of Israel," consisting of secular and liberal European Jews, and "State of Judea," emerging among settlers in the West Bank, aiming to transform Israel into a theocracy spanning historic Palestine. These divisions reflect deep contradictions over Jewish identity and the nature of the state.
He states: "Half a million Israelis from the 'State of Israel' camp have left the country since October," indicating that "State of Judea" is engulfing the country. This political project is unlikely to be accepted by the Arab world in the long term, and perhaps the world at large.
2- Economic Crisis:
Another indicator of disintegration is the economic crisis. In the last quarter of 2023, the occupation state's economy declined by about 20%. Additionally, it heavily relies on US financial aid, amounting to over $158 billion since its inception, according to the Congressional Research Service. This crisis worsened due to the inefficiency of Finance Minister Smotrich, who diverts funds to settlements in the West Bank.
Moreover, the cost of the war on Gaza resulted in record losses of around $16 billion, according to the American agency Bloomberg
3- International Isolation:
Gradually, Israel is becoming a pariah state, especially after the genocide war it waged on Gaza since October 7th. This has recently been highlighted in decisions by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, indicating the possibility that Israel committed genocide and the necessity to arrest its leaders for war crimes.
4- Radical Change Among Jewish Youth Around the World:
As Pappe points out, there has been a radical change in the positions of Jewish youth worldwide. Over the past nine months, many have shown readiness to abandon their ties to Zionism and have increased participation in the international solidarity movement with Palestine.
5- Weakness of the Occupation Army:
The fifth indicator lies in the weakness of the Israeli occupation army after the events of October 7th. Despite possessing advanced weapons, the operation "Al-Aqsa Flood" revealed the extent of the army's strength, leading to depletion of forces and pressure to abolish military exemptions for Haredi Jews and begin their conscription.
6- Renewed Energy Among Palestinian Youth:
The sixth and final indicator is the renewed energy among the younger generation of Palestinians, characterized by unity, cohesion, and a clearer vision for their future compared to the political elites.
Pappe says: Since the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have among the youngest populations in the world, this new generation will have a significant impact on the course of the liberation struggle.
He points out the youth's focus on establishing a genuine democratic organization - either renewing the Palestinian Liberation Organization or forming an entirely new organization - aiming for a liberation vision contrary to the Palestinian Authority's campaign for state recognition.
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Read this Article in Arabic.
