As the world continues to witness the devastating toll of Israel’s prolonged occupation and military campaigns in Palestine, a growing number of human rights organizations, legal scholars, and grassroots movements are using a word once considered taboo in diplomatic circles — terrorism. The term, long weaponized in global politics, is now being directed at a nation-state that claims to be the only democracy in the Middle East.
But when civilians are bombed in their homes, when hospitals are reduced to rubble, and when children are buried beneath concrete in refugee camps, the question arises: Can a state, armed with the most sophisticated weaponry on Earth, be called a terrorist?
What Defines Terrorism?
Under most international definitions, terrorism is the use of violence or threats to intimidate or coerce civilians for political purposes. When judged by this standard, Israel’s repeated use of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians — including indiscriminate airstrikes, blockades, home demolitions, and extrajudicial killings — raises uncomfortable but necessary questions.
Global Human Rights Accusations
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and even UN-appointed investigators have documented what they describe as apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and potential war crimes committed by Israel.
-
2021 Amnesty Report: Concluded that Israel’s policies in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem amount to apartheid.
-
UN Special Rapporteurs: Have accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and creating unlivable conditions in Gaza.
-
Death Toll: Thousands of civilians, including women and children, have died in repeated Israeli military assaults — from Operation Cast Lead to the 2023–2024 Gaza bombardments.
Gaza: The Open-Air Prison
Gaza, home to over 2 million Palestinians, is often described as the world’s largest open-air prison. Israel controls its borders, airspace, and sea — restricting goods, medicine, and basic necessities. When rockets are fired from Gaza — often described as acts of terrorism — they are met with overwhelming force, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of non-combatants.
The disparity in firepower, control, and international backing paints a grim picture: a stateless population resisting occupation is labeled “terrorist,” while a powerful occupying army is described as “defending itself.”
International Complicity
Despite repeated allegations of war crimes, Israel continues to receive billions in military aid from the United States and unwavering support from Western powers. This has led to growing outrage in the Global South and among younger populations worldwide who reject what they see as blatant double standards.
Protests around the world — from London to Jakarta — are increasingly using terms like terror state, genocidal regime, and colonial occupier to describe Israel’s conduct.
A Call for Accountability, Not Antisemitism
It is vital to distinguish between criticism of Israel’s policies and hatred against Jewish people. The former is a legitimate expression of human rights advocacy and political critique. The latter is racism.
Calling Israel a terrorist state is not a rejection of Judaism — it is a rejection of policies that systematically inflict harm on an oppressed people. Many Jewish organizations, both in Israel and abroad, have also condemned the government’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Conclusion: If Not Terrorism, Then What?
Despite repeated allegations of war crimes, Israel continues to receive billions in military aid from the United States and unwavering support from Western powers. This has led to growing outrage in the Global South and among younger populations worldwide who reject what they see as blatant double standards.
Protests around the world — from London to Jakarta — are increasingly using terms like terror state, genocidal regime, and colonial occupier to describe Israel’s conduct.
