Journalist Sarah Helm, former Middle East correspondent and diplomatic editor of The Independent, interpreted the Israeli government’s demand that over one million Palestinians abandon their homes in northern Gaza, as straight-up ethnic cleansing.
Helm emphasized the historical context and ramifications of this demand, drawing on her vast experience in the region, in a recent article for The Guardian entitled “Netanyahu told 1.1 million Palestinians they had 24 hours to evacuate. What is that if not ethnic cleansing?”
(Incidentally, multiple news sources reported this morning that there were cases in which individuals were clearly given this 24-hour window, yet they were slaughtered, anyway).
She highlighted the tragic history of Gaza’s population, most of whom are descendants of refugees from the 200 Arab villages destroyed in 1948 during the Nakba (the establishment of Israel).
The first stage of Israel’s response to recent events included massive aircraft bombardment, resulting in significant suffering and casualties among innocent Palestinians. Reports also surfaced of Israeli forces deploying white phosphorus bombs in Gaza–raising concerns about the international legality of the use of such munitions in the conflict.
The Israeli attacks brought the death toll in Gaza to approximately 2,800–with at least 9,938 wounded–according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.
Contradictory to Helm’s predictions, the international community has perceived support for Israel’s actions–including supplying arms–which raises troubling questions about the plight of the Palestinians. The “West” has taken a decidedly pro-Israeli stance. Flight attendants on Air France the other day even broke out into song—in Hebrew.
She accused the West of cheering on Israel while it destroys Gaza.
Helm views Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for “evacuation” from northern Gaza, presented as a safety measure, as a potential humanitarian crisis with nowhere safe for civilians to seek refuge.
The journalist highlighted historical tactics used in 1948, including psychological warfare, the trauma resulting from warnings to flee, and the consequences of resistance.
Gazans may be forced to depart Gaza for Egypt, despite Egypt’s strong opposition to accepting refugees. However, if the humanitarian crisis at its borders escalates, it is believed that the nation could potentially open its borders to them.
The potential exodus of refugees into Egypt could lead to “permanent ethnic cleansing,” according to the writer.
On another point, the reporter stated that Israel’s leadership plans to project a narrative stating that a safe future for Israel requires the permanent expulsion of Gaza’s entire population.
Clearly, this would be in gross violation of internationally-recognized boundaries which were brokered by the United Nations 75 years ago.
Negotiations will then focus on refugees’ right to return to Gaza, a place of exile. Israel has tried—unsuccessfully with respect to those who have taken the time to educate themselves—to sweep under the rug its previous 1948 ethnic cleansing story, under the propagandized drumbeat of nationalism.
When Palestinians tried to reclaim their land, they were labeled as “infiltrators” and “terrorists.”
The piece also highlights the determination of some Gazans not to be uprooted a second time; specifically, these brave–or foolish—souls, depending on one’s perspective, are choosing to remain in their homes despite the risks. One mother, Adalah, lives in central Gaza, where her family is gathering to prepare to die as a unit, as Israeli gunboats patrol the beach. She told Sarah Helm, “I will not move. I will be killed in my house with my family.”