One Year Since October 7, One Year of War

Panelist Remarks

On Monday, October 7, 2024, Professor Nadim Rouhana set the stage for a pivotal discussion reflecting on the lasting impact of the October 7 attacks and the ensuing year of conflict. The conversation examined the social, political, and humanitarian dimensions, with an eye toward what comes next.

Panelist Omer Bartov, Samuel Pisar Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University, shared reflections on the humanitarian Crisis in Gaza. He detailed the catastrophic toll of the war in Gaza, where death toll estimates exceed 40,000, two-thirds of which are civilians, including many children. Bartov questioned Israel’s justification of self-defense, citing the systematic destruction and displacement that has forced civilians into makeshift tent camps as contrary evidence. Considering concerns around genocide and legal accountability, Bartov cautioned that even a “legal” war can cross into illegal territory if it involves intent to exterminate a group. He criticized the United States for its complicity in shielding Israel from accountability, limiting the impact of international bodies like the ICC and ICJ. Bartov concluded his remarks with his outline of the geopolitical and long-term implications of October 7, saying the attacks shattered Israel’s image of security, spurring its leaders to reassert dominance in the region. He warned that Israel’s policies now resemble an apartheid system that could ultimately collapse. Drawing parallels to South Africa’s history, he predicted that global Jewish communities and civil rights advocates may eventually withdraw support, leading to societal implosion within 20–30 years.

Panelist Leila Farsakh, Professor of Political Science at University of Massachusetts Boston began her remarks with a commentary on the sociopolitical and economic toll of the past year on Palestinians. Farsakh presented compounding challenges for Palestinians, with over 90,000 children orphaned and more than 70,000 tons of bombs dropped on Gaza. She contextualized this devastation within the long-standing economic struggles in the region, now worsened by this unprecedented scale of displacement and destruction. She then discussed the historical shifts in Israeli policy, asserting that Israel’s focus has shifted from ethnic cleansing to active elimination, noting the policy evolution from displacement to systematic destruction of Palestinian communities. She emphasized that increased settlements and checkpoints have fragmented Palestinian territories, creating an apartheid-like structure that entrenches Palestinian marginalization. Finally, Farsakh argued that a two-state solution is no longer feasible given Israel’s policies. Instead, she proposed a single state based on equality and justice, contending that a nation-state model often leads to exclusionary nationalism and supports authoritarianism.

Panelist Yael Sternhell, Professor of History and English & American Studies at Tel Aviv University, contributed commentary on the social fragmentation and rising extremism in Israel. She shared an analysis of internal societal shifts in Israel post-October 7, observing that the event intensified far-right nationalism and militarism. She said that internal media coverage of Gaza largely omits images of human suffering, desensitizing the public and fostering a “cocktail of vilification and ignorance.” Sternhell noted some challenges to Israeli leadership and coexistence, including the marginalization of Israel’s left, saying that there is increasing suppression of dissent. She said that Palestinian citizens of Israel, however, have shown resilience, positioning themselves as a potential bridge between communities. While some Israelis question the government’s policies, Sternhell observed that Prime Minister Netanyahu has used the crisis to consolidate power, framing opposition as traitorous. She concluded her remarks with a consideration of the role of boycotts and external pressure, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of external pressure alone, noting that global criticism has only intensified Israel’s defensiveness. She suggested that real change requires internal leadership that is willing to confront structural issues.

Audience Q&A Highlights

In response to audience questions, panelists discussed several key issues. Responding to an inquiry on the accountability of Israeli leaders for alleged war crimes, they highlighted that Israel’s impunity is reinforced by U.S. protection, making meaningful domestic accountability unlikely without international pressure. When asked if a global boycott, similar to that used against apartheid South Africa, could influence Israeli policies, they noted that it could potentially be impactful but pointed out the lack of strong leadership in both Israel and Palestine, saying that both societies currently lack transformative leaders. However, they also acknowledged growing global support for the BDS movement. The panel also addressed the varied perceptions of resistance in the conflict, they briefly explored the confounding national and colonial elements of Zionism, and explained that the role of the Holocaust in Israel’s foundation complicates peoples’ views.