Is the involvement of the United States in what can be described as the “drop bombs, then drop food” scenario in Gaza, following months of Israel’s relentless bombing, hypocritical? Many people would say yes. This apparent contradiction highlights a much deeper issue: when examining the history of US involvement in Israel/Palestine, this tactic exemplifies starkly how the US maintains its global imperial status.
In her book Elastic Empire: Refashioning War through Aid in Palestine, Lisa Bhungalia sheds light on how aid provided by the US contributes to sustaining the status quo of Palestinian oppression under Israeli occupation. Bhungalia’s perspective on how the US asserts and sustains its global dominance contrasts with the conventional view. Rather than focusing solely on traditional aspects of state power related to immigration and enforcement at borders, the concept of “elastic empire” expands into new areas, particularly examining the flexibility and adaptability of state and imperial power in counterterrorism operations worldwide. Focusing on the US war on terror, it becomes evident that warfare is not just about the battlefields, but also about “governing the displaced, refugees, the poor, and the ‘vulnerable’ through humanitarian organisations.” Despite presenting its actions as necessary for humanitarian reasons or for the protection of civilians, the war on terror paradoxically employs tactics that dehumanise its targets. By this logic, being a perfect victim is never enough.
This book is on the shortlist for the Palestine Book Awards 2024, please click here to read the full review on the Palestine Book Awards site.
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