The ancient right of empires – defence against barbarism
JVL Introduction
In the article below, Raymond Geuss delves into the ancient histories of Greece and Rome – empires which bloodily conquered huge swathes of other people’s land while claiming to be waging defensive wars against barbarians who would otherwise overwhelm and destroy them – and asks: “Is there a contemporary parallel to any of this? Does one come spontaneously to mind?”
Leaping forward a couple of millenia he examines Israel’s success in inverting reality to create a situation in which an illusory “two-state solution” is widely touted as offering a just route to peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
His article, published two days before the UN General Assembly portentously declared its intention to work for a two-state solution, upends the usual formulation calling for Israel to be safe and secure alongside a Palestinian state.” Surely, he says, it is Palestine which needs to be safe and secure against “the Israeli state and its agents.”
NWI
This article was originally published by New Left Review on Wed 10 Sep 2025. Read the original here.
Gallia and Gaza
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Maybe a crazy idea but is it beyond possible that a massive food convoy could be assembled in Israel and defying Netanyahu cross into Gaza breaking the blockade and re-establishing Israels credibility? Then build a benignly secular but livable state of choice for all people based on Dubai.
What I have found remarkable over the last few years is the spectacle of experts, including representatives of British intelligence, saying that Iran is the greatest threat to stability in the Middle East. One has to ask whether these people are incapable of seeing what is in front of their eyes.
I thank Mr. Geuss for pointing out the blindingly obvious point that it is the Palestinians who have been denied any “security” for over a hundred years and yet Israel’s need for a secure future is always paramount when their apologists lay down the terms for what is called “peace”.
This elevation of Israel’s needs to the status of fundamental precept would be bad enough, ignoring their record for 80 years as it does, but it has led to a cast-iron assumption of entitlement by its spokespeople, which, when challenged, occasions an indignation that leads an onlooker to fear for their health.
I suppose if you have stolen your neighbour’s possessions and taken over their house, leaving them only their garden shed to live in, you are constantly fearing their retaliation – “terrorism” – and seeking to label the status quo you have established as “peace”.
Thank you for putting the balance right between the forces of terror [Israel] and a tiny, badly supplied army fighting against Israeli occupation, which they are entitled to do. Until the world’s media ceases to repeat the Israeli propaganda as if it is fact, Palestine’s land will continue to be stolen, Palestinians will be murdered, and centuries of Palestinian learning and culture will be eradicated by bombs, guns and torture.