Zionist Talking PointsArgument
Supporters argue that “Arab states started all the wars” with Israel, pointing to multiple invasions, from 1948 through 1973, by Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and other regional actors. They claim Israel was merely defending itself from hostile neighbors unwilling to accept its existence.
Counterpoint
It is true that Arab states intervened militarily in Palestinian territory in 1948 following Israel’s declaration of independence, and they fought Israel again in 1956, 1967, and 1973. However, these wars emerged in response to long-standing tensions rooted in settler-colonial displacement, contested land claims, and geopolitical instability.
Moreover, this framing omits Israel’s offensive operations and territorial expansions: Plan Dalet’s actions before 1948, the 1956 Suez invasion, the 1967 preemptive strike that conquered Gaza, West Bank, Sinai, Golan Heights, and the 1982 Lebanon invasion, all show Israeli agency in initiating conflicts. Conflicts cannot be reduced to Arab aggression alone.
Spin
- Selective history: Emphasizing Arab launches while ignoring Israeli preemptive and offensive operations.
- Victim framing: Portrays Israel as repeatedly under attack, obscuring its role in initiating and expanding wars.
- Context erasure: Ignores settler-colonial origins and the displacement of Palestinians as the root of regional tensions.
- Asymmetry denial: Suggests parity between state armies and Israeli military, ignoring overwhelming military advantages and expansionist goals.