# Hijacking Memory: The Holocaust and the Siege of Gaza Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ3-k2l6JIA Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/KZ3-k2l6JIA --- ## Quick Overview The discussion reveals how Holocaust memory is being dangerously invoked and weaponized by Israeli and European entities to justify actions in Gaza, silence criticism, and deny ongoing violence, creating a paradigm where historical Jewish suffering is exploited for contemporary political ends, often leading to the dehumanization of Palestinians and a crisis in international law and academic discourse. **Key Points:** - Holocaust memory, initially used for Israeli national identity post-Eichmann trial, became a major political slogan by the 1980s, exemplified by Menachem Begin's comparison of Arafat to Hitler. - An Israeli government spokesman argued "October 7th denial is the new Holocaust denial," linking criticism of current actions to Holocaust denial and Jewish victimhood. - Yelena Subotic states public Holocaust memory is often "largely decoupled from the Holocaust itself" and serves contemporary state political needs, creating self-congratulatory national narratives. - Raz Segal argues the weaponization of the Holocaust portrays Israel as facing a genocidal assault by "Nazis" (Hamas/Palestinians), decontextualizing the power imbalance between a powerful state and a stateless people. - Omar Bartov identifies "many statements of genocidal intent" and a "clear effort of ethnic cleansing" in Gaza, noting that a million Gazans have been moved from northern to southern Gaza. - Segal asserts that the international legal system, built on the Holocaust's uniqueness, has historically granted Israel impunity, and the current situation, with mounting evidence of mass violence, is a "shock to the system." - The panel highlights a "major crisis" within Holocaust and genocide studies, where some scholars contribute to the problem by denying Israeli mass violence and reaffirming dehumanizing narratives about Palestinians. **Context:** The discussion, convened by Diaspora Alliance and Jewish Currents magazine, explores the dangerous ways Holocaust memory is invoked and marshaled in the present, particularly in response to the October 7th attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza. Scholars Omar Bartov, Yelena Subotic, and Raz Segal, along with moderator Linda Kinsler, analyze how this historical memory is misused to justify actions, silence dissent, and shape public perception, while also considering its genuine influence on Jewish collective memory. ## Detailed Analysis The panel discussion critically examines the dangerous instrumentalization of Holocaust memory in contemporary politics, particularly in the context of the October 7th attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza. Speakers detail how this memory, initially integrated into Israeli national identity after the Eichmann trial, evolved into a political slogan used to justify military actions and silence dissent. They argue that public Holocaust memory is often decoupled from historical events, serving contemporary state political needs and fostering self-congratulatory national narratives, especially in Europe, where it can foreclose debate and label criticism of Israel as antisemitic. The weaponization of Holocaust rhetoric, such as comparing Hamas to Nazis, decontextualizes the conflict, dehumanizes Palestinians, and reinforces a narrative of Israeli victimhood despite its significant military power. This also challenges the post-WWII international legal system, which has historically granted Israel impunity based on the Holocaust's perceived uniqueness. The discussion highlights a profound sense of insecurity within Israeli society, which politicians exploit to avoid political solutions and pursue destructive military actions. Panelists debate whether current events in Gaza constitute genocide or ethnic cleansing, noting numerous statements of genocidal intent and the devastating humanitarian crisis, including mass displacement, starvation conditions, and widespread destruction. They also address a significant "crisis" within Holocaust and genocide studies, where some scholars contribute to the problem by denying Israeli mass violence and reaffirming dehumanizing narratives, calling for accountability and a fundamental shift in the field's approach to Israel-Palestine. ### Historical Deployment of Holocaust Memory in Israel - Zionism's roots in anti-Semitism and pogroms - Eichmann trial in the early 1960s began the integration of Holocaust details into Israeli national identity - Holocaust became a major political slogan post-1973 war, used for incitement and to cover government failures, exemplified by Menachem Begin's comparison of Arafat to Hitler. ### Holocaust Memory and European Political Legitimacy - Public Holocaust memory is often decoupled from the Holocaust itself, serving contemporary state political needs - It creates self-congratulatory national narratives that avoid acknowledging collaboration or perpetration - Germany's unique self-congratulatory approach to its Holocaust legacy has fueled a new form of nationalism, used to foreclose debate and label criticism of Israel as antisemitic. ### Weaponization of Holocaust Rhetoric in the Present - Portrayal of Hamas and, by implication, Palestinians as "Nazis" decontextualizes the power imbalance and dehumanizes Palestinians - This rhetoric upholds the international legal system's historical impunity for Israel, based on the idea that Jews and the self-proclaimed Jewish state are unique and exceptional - The phrase "October 7th denial is the new Holocaust denial" links any criticism of Israeli actions to Holocaust denial. ### The "Genocide" Debate and International Law - Omar Bartov identifies "many statements of genocidal intent" and a "clear effort of ethnic cleansing" in Gaza, indicating a potential for genocide - Raz Segal argues Gaza is a "textbook case of genocide" citing force displacement under total siege, carpet bombing (over 20,000 tons of explosives dropped), and clear proclamations of intent to destroy - The unfolding events are a "shock to the international legal system," challenging its foundational principles established after WWII. ### Dehumanization and Incitement - Israeli leaders use terms like "human animals" and invoke biblical references like "Amalek" for incitement - The dehumanization of Palestinians has deep roots in 56 years of occupation and generations of Israelis serving as occupying policemen - A profound sense of insecurity among Israelis post-October 7th, combined with a lack of political horizon from the government, fuels a desire to "destroy the other side." ### Crisis in Holocaust and Genocide Studies - Some Holocaust scholars contribute to the problem by signing statements that deny Israeli mass violence and reaffirm the dehumanization of Palestinians - The field has historically silenced, rationalized, or denied discussions of documented Israeli mass violence against Palestinians, including apartheid and military occupation - There is a call for accountability and a fundamental shift in how the field addresses Israel-Palestine, as "business as usual" is no longer possible.