Israel continues to kill, displace and destroy the Palestinian people. The international community must immediately impose sanctions against Israel. In Washington, we are currently working on an initiative to institutionalize the struggle for the freedom of Palestine.
Miko Peled is an activist and human rights fighter, writer, instructor and sixth degree black belt karate master. He was educated in Jerusalem, Japan and the United States. He is considered by many to be one of the most prominent voices calling for justice for the Palestinians and Palestine. In this context, he recently spoke in Brussels at a European Parliament round table organized by the left. Israeli authorities arrested him several times for his activism and cooperation with Palestinian human rights groups. He was banned from entering Israel.
He was born and raised in a Zionist family in Jerusalem, his father Matitiahu Peled was a general in the Israeli army and his maternal grandfather, Avraham Katsnelson, one of the signatories of Israel's declaration of independence.
As a young man, Miko Peled followed in his father's footsteps, he became a member of the Israeli special forces very early on, but he soon regretted it, renouncing that status and ranks, devoting himself to medicine. Disgusted by the Lebanese war in 1982. he also left that profession. He lived in Japan for a while and then moved to San Diego, where he joined a Palestinian-Jewish-American dialogue group. Together with Nader Elbana, he founded the Elbana-Peled Foundation, which helps civilians injured in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He is the author of the books: "The General's Son: An Israeli's Journey to Palestine" and "Injustice: The Story of the Holy Land of the Five Foundation". For more than two decades, he ran a school dedicated to teaching leadership skills and non-violent conflict resolution through martial arts.
First, please explain to us what Zionism is. Who are the Zionists today? What do they want? Do all Jews believe in Zionist ideals, or are there different opinions?
-It is a racist settler colonial ideology that claims all Jewish people have a right to sovereignty in Palestine. It claims that Palestinians do not exist as a nation but as invaders.
Most Jews have never been Zionists and many Jewish people including the most observant religious Jewish people reject Zionism completely.
Where do you live now? When was the last time you were in Israel? Do you believe you will be able to visit again the places where you grew up and see your family members who still live in Israel?
-I live in Washington DC. I was never in Israel, I do not recognize it. I was born in Palestine and I can visit whenever I wish.
When your sister's daughter died in the Palestinian suicide attack in Jerusalem, you stated that such tragedies happen "because we occupy another people’s teritory and that in order to save lives, the occupation should be stopped and negotiations for a just peace with Palestinian partners should be pursued...". How much did this painful event affect you, your family, especially your views and the lives of everyone in the family later on?
- It was an earth shattering event that words cannot to justice. It changed me completely and drove me to reject Zionism and support the Palestinian call for justice and peace.
You stated that your father passed away disappointed and that towards the end of his life, he spoke how the Israeli government doesn't want peace. How do you view his thoughts today in the context of current events?
-He was a political visionary and a pragmatist. I have no doubt he would have called for a free democratic Palestine with equal rights from the River to the Sea.
You're saying that the genocide against Palestinians didn't start after October 7th last year, but has been going on for 75 years. What are the arguments?
-It is not about arguments but fact. Israel began a genocide as soon as it was founded in late 1947. It continues to murder, displace and destroy the Palestinian people, their country and their history.
Genocide is a well defined crime. Israel’s existence has been consistent with the definition of the crime of genocide.
For a while, you supported the idea of two states. Now, you're talking about creating a single democratic state with equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians. How do you think that's possible?
-Just like fascism and apartheid fell so can Zionism. When people of consciences demand that their governments act to bring down apartheid in Palestine it will happen.
Nearly 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza. How do you view the genocide lawsuit brought before the International Criminal Court by South Africa? Israel is ignoring the court's orders.
-The petition is important but it is too little too late. The international community must place immediate sanctions against Israel, an arms embargo and demand release of all Palestinian prisoners unconditionally.
Some pose the question – how is it possible that a people who survived the terrible Holocaust are now engaging in such actions?
-This is an unfair accusation to Holocaust survivors. The largest community of anti Zionist Jews are in fact descendants of Holocaust survivors. Israelis are not survivors of the Holocaust. Only A tiny percentage of survivors of the Holocaust went to colonize palestine and many of the ones that did go left because Israel is a militant fascist state.
Netanyahu rejects recommendations and suggestions to cease attacks, justifying all of it with achieving the goal and continuing until victory. What is the goal, what is his anticipated victory?
-Israel has declared long ago in words as well as actions that its goal is to destroy the Palestinian people and to leave no memory of Palestine. As long as then in international community allows Israel to continue it will pursue its goals until they are successful.
Some media outlets have commented that Arab neighbors have turned their backs on Palestinians. How do you perceive the reactions of Arab countries regarding the situation in Gaza? Could they have done more? What should they do to stop the suffering of Gaza's residents?
-The Arab countries are no different than the rest of the world. The West, Africa, the BRICS alliance, etc are all complicit in the crimes of Zionism.
Having said that, the Arab states exist in a reality where they are damned regardless of what they do. If they oppose Israel and the U.S. they end up like Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Syria, etc. if they do not oppose Israel and the U.S. they are accused of not caring for their Arab brothers.
The responsibility is in the hands of the U.S.
Who bears the greatest responsibility for the decades-long lack of sufficient attention to the plight of the Palestinian people?
-The U.S. and it’s Allie’s, and Israel.
What can you tell us about the current political situation in Israel? Does Netanyahu have support for everything he does? Is there opposition? Information about protests in Israel is very scarce, however, in recent days we've heard demands for Netanyahu's resignation.
-Netanyahu is safe politically. His fanatic settler coalition partners are happy with him and as long as they support him he is undetectable. Protests and dissent are scarce among Israelis. There is no opposition today because Netanyahu created a large coalition that includes almost everyone and even if he didn’t on the issue of genocide there is a broad consensus.
If Hamas's attack is the excuse for killings and destruction in Gaza, why are Palestinians and their families attacked daily in the West Bank?
-The killing of Palestinians by Israel has nothing to do with any particular group. It is a policy that has been in existence since the Zionist movement stole Palestine and established the apartheid state.
Palestine has no army, Hamas as a political party is in power in Gaza, based on the election results. It was acknowledged and accepted. On the other hand, Hamas is called a terrorist organization. Why?
-The designation of “terrorist” is a weapon used by the U.S. to punish individuals, groups, organizations and countries that oppose U.S. policies and who oppose Israel.
Do you have insight into whether there are real images and information from Gaza in the Israeli media?
-Israelis are very well informed about the genocide in Gaza - after all everyone is involved in it.
There are many protests around the world regarding the events in Gaza, but it seems to have little effect. Why is that the case?
-There has always been a huge gap between public support for Palestinians and the decision makers in halls of power. This is the case because there is little or no institutional support for the idea of a free Palestine. That will only change when people get serious about dismantling the apartheid state and allowing a free democratic Palestine to take its place. In Washington, DC we are now working on such an initiative - to institutionalize the struggle for a free Palestine.
The United States consistently aid Israel's wartime activities by sending weapons, even though they know it will increase the number of dead Palestinians and their children, while simultaneously officially advocating for an end to the conflict. How can this be understood?
-The U.S. never called for an end of the “conflict.” The U.S. always allowed Israel to determine the terms of negotiations and the terms of any agreement regarding Palestine. Since Israel was never interested in peace or a solution it never happened. Ending the “conflict” means prosecuting israel for its crimes and guaranteeing the safety and security of the Palestinian people.
Is there any justice possible for Palestinians in the end? When and how can all of this end?
-When people around the world get serious about bringing an end to the genocide of Palestinians and the destruction of Palestine, it will end. It requires total rejection and zero tolerance for Zionism and Israel. Banning Israel from all international arenas, ending all trade and diplomatic relations with Israel, etc. until this happens Palestinians will continue to die.
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