Gaza under siege: The continuation of Zionist demographic cleansing policies since the 19th century
This op-ed by Refaat Ibrahim argues that the Gaza war is not merely a defensive reaction but the latest phase of a systematic, century-old Zionist colonial policy focused on demographic cleansing and forced displacement.
Israeli propaganda attempts to frame the war on Gaza as a “defensive reaction.” However, the historical record tells a very different story: systematic genocide, destruction of civilian life, and deliberate efforts to uproot entire populations.
These actions are a direct continuation of Zionist colonial policies that began in the late 19th century. The goal has consistently been to establish a racially pure Jewish state by displacing Palestinians through forced removals, economic blockades, and planned warfare.
Historical roots of the conflict: Zionism and forced transfer
From its inception, the Zionist movement viewed Palestinians as a “demographic obstacle” to creating a Jewish state. In 1895, Theodor Herzl, founder of political Zionism, noted in his diary:
“The removal of the Arabs from Palestine must form part of the Zionist plan. The poor population can be transferred across the border by denying them employment. This must be done quietly and carefully.”
This strategy of demographic engineering has shaped the ongoing conflict and positions Gaza not as an exception but as a primary target of this enduring colonial approach.
Summary
Refaat Ibrahim highlights that the Gaza conflict is rooted in a longstanding Zionist policy aimed at ethnic cleansing and displacement, reflecting over a century of colonial practices.
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