Incitement and oblivion in Netanyahu’s AIPAC speech

The Times of Israel has published the full transcript of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the annual AIPAC conference. Only genuine ignorance could be forgiven for assuming any benevolence on Israel’s behalf. For those who understand the dynamics of colonial violence, Netanyahu’s televised speech from Jerusalem combined a precise dose of incitement and oblivion.

Apart from a brief mention towards the end, in which Netanyahu insists upon the Palestinian Authority’s recognition of Israel’s self-styled “legitimacy”, it is clear that the colonial entity’s diplomacy is fast eliminating Palestine from its rhetoric, to emulate the facts on the ground. As dispossession and demolitions increase, the Israeli government is under equal pressure to stifle Palestinian narratives at all costs. Given the easier access to information regarding human rights violations, as well as swift dissemination of happenings, Israel is changing its tactics in its participation at propaganda events. Preaching to its allies is no longer perceived as a platform for false lament, but rather an opportunity to masquerade its technological and humanitarian façade.

It is easy to discern Netanyahu’s exclusivity when using terms which, in other scenarios, would be considered as encompassing. In his generalised overview of Israel’s contributions in “counterterrorism capabilities” and “technologies that help feed the world’s hungry and literally create water out of thin air,” Netanyahu eliminated the underlying concept of dependency even in exploitative circumstances. It must be added that the latter provides an immense dissonance when Palestinians are routinely deprived of water. However, Netanyahu’s exclusivity has no qualms about obliterating human rights while haranguing for them elsewhere, depending upon the political agenda.

Read: Netanyahu to AIPAC: ‘Israel on alert, ready to defend itself’

Far from seeking to alleviate humanitarian needs in Africa, Israel’s purpose is to garner enough diplomatic support for its colonisation project. While enough belligerence has been exhibited, which ensures that colonial expansion is set to continue with or without international acquiescence, Netanyahu is also exposing Israel’s weakness with regard to its purported legitimacy. There is a need to sustain such seemingly benign and altruistic endeavours because Israel functions through duality and oblivion. Resolution 2334 may have achieved nothing in terms of Palestinian rights. Yet it has increased international scrutiny, thus requiring additional effort on Israel’s behalf to maintain the acceptability of colonialism.

However, it is equally clear that Netanyahu envisages constant support from the US, which he describes as “an investment in our common security and in our common future.” Israel, according to Netanyahu, “wouldn’t be the country it is today without the steadfast support of the United States of America.” The statement is substantiated with reference to US President Donald Trump’s request that military aid to Israel is fully funded, ensuring there will be no lull in experimentation upon the Palestinian population while the rest of the world debates the parameters of genocide in a manner which excludes Israeli violence, ethnic cleansing and forced displacement.

There are times when speeches can be interpreted as a mere rehash of previous, outdated exercises and repetitive vocabulary. While there is nothing new about Israel’s hypocritical assertions, the fact that Netanyahu has deemed it necessary to almost eliminate Palestine from his speech, unlike his 2016 address, speaks volumes about the unfolding displacement – from both rhetoric and territory.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.