Caught 'Between the Jaws of a whale': The Escalating Fear for Palestinians in Israel

"Caught between the jaws of a whale" is how some Arabs inside Israel describe their current situation, explaining, "No one can speak or breathe inside; there's constant incitement against us."

Tensions and retaliatory attacks against Arab communities in Israel have been escalating. Approximately 2 million Palestinians reside in areas that are internationally recognized Israeli territories. Constituting about 20% of Israel's population, they should, in theory, enjoy the same rights as any other Israeli citizen.

However, the atmosphere changed after the attack on October 7. Jewish settlers and students began to report Palestinian Arabs or Israeli citizens of Palestinian descent to the police. Many have been terminated from their jobs, their homes raided for intimidation, and others have been filmed, handcuffed in police stations, humiliated to the tune of Israeli songs.

 Surveillance of their social media activity has increased, and anyone found supporting "Ceasefire" is arrested. Currently, there are discussions about the possibility of revoking their citizenship.

This takes place amidst a major propaganda campaign that recalls the Holocaust. with a noticeable dehumanization of Palestinians, including those living inside Israel, coupled with a biblical narrative promoted by the far-right government. Especially of concern is Ben Gvir, the Minister of National Security, previously affiliated with the Kach organization, which was designated as a terrorist organization by the US. This climate is heightening the fears of Palestinians living in Israel.

Earlier this week,

footage emerged of Ben Gvir, distributing automatic rifles in Ma'alot-Tarshiha, a mixed city in Northern Israel. These were handed out exclusively to Jewish citizens, some of whom are known far-right extremists. In the footage, Ben Gvir can be seen alongside the mayor of Maalot, which is neighboring four Arab villages: معلية، ترشيحة، فسوطة، البقاعة.

There are also reports of Israeli citizens flagging any Arab social media activity advocating for a ceasefire. Groups like "Nazi hunters" on Telegram share information about Arab Israelis, detailing their location, workplace, and family, thereby inciting reprisal attacks. As one source reveals, "Israeli groups on Telegram share the names of Palestinians inside [Israel] who have shown any sympathy for Gaza, along with their family members, ID numbers, and addresses."

Furthermore, the discourse on Israeli TV, from officials and across social media platforms, often vilifies Arabs and Palestinians both within and outside Israel's borders. This narrative is, disturbingly, juxtaposed with memories of the Holocaust.

Recently, Jewish Israelis surrounded Arab students at a university in Netenya in the North of Israel chanting Death to Arabs slogans. Even though the government has forbade demonstrations.  

Jewish protesters try to break into dorms at the Netanya Academic College, after two Arab students allegedly threw eggs at worshipers earlier in the day, October 28, 2023. (Twitter video screenshot: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

In the west bank,

Palestinian schools have become targets of intimidation. Army-backed Israeli settlers have disseminated leaflets and positioned blood-streaked dolls as a threat, invoking images of ethnic cleansing. "Run to Jordan before we kill our enemies and expel you from our Holy Land, promised to us by God" the leaflet said.

Over 100 Palestinian have reportedly been killed in the West Bank in retaliatory attacks since October 7. Including farmer Bilal Muhamed Saleh while harvesting olives in Nablus.

Many express their feelings of helplessness, saying, "We're suffocating. Our spirit is being drained. We can't speak or express ourselves." The prevailing sentiment is one of fear; a fear of organized attacks, a fear of speaking up, or even expressing oneself online.

There is an unusual fear among people, a fear that suddenly the Israelis will organize and attack the Arabs in the streets... and there is also a prevailing feeling that whatever is happening with us inside is nothing compared to what is happening in Gaza and does not deserve to be talked about.

Weapon distribution, religious propaganda, and western support are coalescing in a troubling way. This is the face of ethnic cleansing in what is often termed the sole democracy in the Middle East.