Palestine 102: Defining Common Terms
Welcome to Palestine 102! This is the second post in our series meant to provide introductory information on the history, culture, and politics of Palestine. If you’ve wanted to learn more about the situation in Palestine but have felt confused or overwhelmed by the amount of information out there, this series is for you!
In this edition, we will break down some common terms you may come across in Palestinian liberation spaces.
Genocide
Genocide is the intentional killing of a large number of people within a group with the intention of wiping them out. The ongoing situation in Gaza is a genocide because Israel has purposely killed thousands of civilians, including children. The destruction of safe zones, targeting of hospitals and schools, and blockade of aid into Gaza makes it clear that Israel intends to destroy the Palestinian population. We use the term “genocide” and not “war” because genocide conveys the inequity of the impacts on both groups involved.
Apartheid
Apartheid describes a system that enacts racial segregation, resulting in one racial group with a lack of political and civil rights, and often economic mobility. A common example is South Africa in the latter half of the 20th century when the Nationalist Party, a white supremacist regime, separated whites from non-whites, leaving Black, Asian, and mixed-race people severely disadvantaged. It ended because of pressure from some Western countries and intense worldwide protests, riots, and boycotts. This is also what is happening in Palestine! Israel is separating the Indigenous Arabs from them, a white colonizing force. Israel uses its extensive military to dominate Palestinians and enact racist and Islamaphobic legislation.
Scholasticide
Scholasticide is the decimation of an education system through the intentional destruction of educational infrastructure and the targeting of teachers and students. Israel is committing scholasticide in Gaza through its targeted bombing of schools and universities in addition to killing, injuring, and arresting teachers, professors, and students. This is a component of genocide that aims to cause both immediate and long-term harm to a community by limiting their educational opportunities, and thus economic or societal advancement.
Zionism
Zionism is a political organization created in 1897 that calls for an entirely Jewish state. It was proposed in response to a rise in antisemitism in Europe before WWII, with the claim that the land was historically theirs and that the only way Jews could survive was if they had a homeland established only for them. The idea that Palestinians do not exist, or have no cultural connection to the land is a fundamental element of Zionism. It is rooted in racism and the repudiation of the existence of indigenous Arabs. When we talk about Zionism, it is important to address supporters of it as zionists, not just simply Jews. Many sects of Judaism don’t believe in Zionism, and it is critical to recognize that. Groups like Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) are examples of groups of Jews that come together not only in opposition to Zionism but also in support of Palestinian liberation.
Settler Colonialism
Settler colonialism is when colonizers arrive at a place, invade currently established communities, and settle there without the intention of leaving. Native communities in lands that have faced settler colonialism have repeatedly been written off as subhuman to “legitimize” the genocides they have faced. Both Indigenous people in Turtle Island (North America) and Palestine have endured settler colonialism and its longstanding impacts.
Ethnic Cleansing
Israel's goal to create an ethnically homogenous state is achieved through ethnic cleansing. This can include physical removal of a population through expulsion or deportation, as well as deprivation of necessities, massacres, and more. Similar to apartheid, this is a violation of international law.
Ethnostate
An ethnostate is a nation in which citizenship is limited to those of a specific ethnicity. The end goal for Zionists is to create a country consisting of an entirely Jewish population. This is achieved through ethnic cleansing and settler colonialism.
Nakba
Nakba is the Arabic word for “catastrophe,” referring to the mass expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians from their land upon the arrival of Zionists to the region in 1948. We discuss this further in our previous post in this series, click here to read more.
Intifada
Intifada is the Arabic word for “uprising”. You often hear it in reference to the First or Second Intifadas, in which Palestinians protested the Israeli occupation of Palestine. The Student Intifada refers to students protesting their universities’ involvement in Israeli apartheid (often in the form of investment into companies that manufacture war machinery used in Israel).
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is when a company or entity falsely claims to be environmentally friendly in order to capitalize on the growing desire for more sustainable products and policies. Israel participates in greenwashing by claiming to participate in climate initiatives such as solar energy, sustainable food production, and water recycling. These claims are meant to disguise environmental damage caused by the destruction of Palestinian farmland, the uprooting of Palestinian olive trees, and the misuse of water. This does not include the mass environmental devastation caused by large-scale bombing, the use of white phosphorus, and fuel for military aircraft.
Pinkwashing
Similar to greenwashing, pinkwashing is when a company or entity attempts to appear in support of the LGBTQ+ community without legitimate participation in efforts to establish equality. The Israeli government often attempts to create an illusion of acceptance by touting itself as a “progressive” nation amongst the “backwards” Arab countries of the Middle East, despite the fact that same-sex marriage is illegal in Israel and thousands of queer people have been killed in the last 10 months. This is merely a farce meant to generate support for Israel and distract from the atrocities of the ongoing genocide.
Divestment/BDS
Divestment is the act of reducing or removing financial support or involvement in a company. In the context of Palestinian liberation, demands for divestment are often calls for large companies or institutions (like universities) to cease investment in companies that either support Israeli apartheid or directly produce war machinery used by the Israeli military. BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) is a movement in favor of boycotting and divesting from companies involved in Israeli occupation as well as putting pressure on the Israeli economy through sanctions.
IDF/IOF
The IDF is the Israeli Defense Forces, or the Israeli national military. In Palestine-centered spaces, we refer to them as the IOF, or Israeli Occupation/Offensive Forces. The reason for this distinction is that the IOF is not “defending” Israel, they are occupying Palestinian land and committing a genocide against Palestinian people.
Blockade
A blockade is a military measure taken by an oppressing force to limit or completely stop resources from coming in or going out of an area. This can include but is not limited to physical communication, food, weapons, and medical supplies.
Massacre
A massacre is the murder of a group of nonviolent or defenseless people (often civilians). Massacres were prevalent during the Nakba and continue to be extremely frequent during the ongoing genocide.
Gaza/West Bank
The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are the two territories where Indigenous Palestinians live today. The Gaza Strip is a 140sq mile area often referred to as an “open-air prison” due to the extreme control Israel has over the territory. It is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, housing about 2 million Palestinians. The West Bank is a slightly less restricted area home to about 3 million Palestinians. Around 3 million Palestinians in both of these areas are registered refugees (prior to October 7 and the following retaliation).
Area A, Area B, Area C
Map of Areas A, B, C. Source here.
Areas A, B, and C are administrative divisions that were created by the Oslo Accords to determine control over the West Bank. The breakdown is as such: Area A- Palestinian government controls the majority of affairs, Area B- Palestinian government controls some affairs (economy, health, and education), but not internal security, Area C- Israel controls all affairs. It is important to note that Area C makes up the largest portion of the West Bank (60%) and the Israeli government still maintains external control in Areas A and B.
‘48 (region)
When people talk about “being from ‘48”, they are talking about Palestinian territory that was seized during the 1948 Nakba. There are also ‘48 Palestinians, or Palestinians who hold Israeli citizenship. Palestinians holding Israeli citizenship are second-class citizens, meaning they have different access to healthcare, property, education, and other resources.
Right of return
The right of return is a principle stating that Palestinians have a right to return to their property that was seized from them by Israel. This principle applies to both those directly forced out of their homes and their descendants, and is protected by international law.
Diaspora
A diaspora is a population that is spread across different regions around the world outside of their homeland. As a result of the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the Nakba and Naksa, the Palestinian diaspora is quite extensive. It encompasses all Palestinians who live across the globe outside of Palestine.
Imperialism
Imperialism is when one country wants to expand its power to control other countries, typically for economic gains. American and European imperialism has had devastating impacts on communities around the world and is still in full force today. The presence of American and European settlers in Israel is an extension of the same Western imperialism that colonized, dominated, and ravaged the Global South (“developing” countries).
Did we miss any terms you’ve been wondering about? Shoot us a message here and we will be happy to help!
