Israel is promoting the most televised genocide in history, says Ilan Pappe.
Israeli historian denounces ethnic cleansing in Gaza and advocates for international sanctions during his participation in Flip 2025.
247 - Israeli historian Ilan Pappe caused a major stir at the Paraty International Literary Festival (Flip 2025) by stating that Israel is promoting "the most televised genocide in history" against the Palestinian people. His statements were recorded by... column by Bernardo Mello Franco, in the newspaper O Globo, which highlighted the forcefulness of the researcher's criticism of his country's government.
During the literary panel, Pappe stated that Palestinians have been living in "a large prison" since 1967, referring to the blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip. "Israel has dropped more bombs on the Gaza Strip since 2007 than the Allies dropped on Germany in World War II," he said. For him, the situation amounts to a systematic policy of ethnic cleansing, which relies on the silence and even complicity of international powers.
The historian, son of German Jews who escaped Nazism, revealed that he faced persecution in Israel for his views. Dismissed from the University of Haifa in 2006, he moved to the United Kingdom, where he directs the Palestinian studies center at the University of Exeter. Author of more than 20 books, he came to Brazil to launch his two most recent titles: A very brief history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. e The world's largest prison, which summarize their vision of the reality of the occupied territories.
Pappe argued that only international economic sanctions, like those applied to South Africa during apartheid, could contain the advance of Israeli aggression. "If the West did 50% of what it is doing to Russia (after the invasion of Ukraine), it would create a major problem for Israel," he stated. He praised the promise by France and the United Kingdom to recognize the Palestinian state, but described the measure as "a small step" given the gravity of the situation.
The historian emphasized that his criticisms are not aimed at the Israeli people, but at the state policy of occupation and siege of Gaza. "I speak Hebrew, I dream in Hebrew," he said, noting that more than half of Gaza's population is under 20 years old and has only known a life marked by siege, bombings, and constant destruction. His remarks drew applause and shouts of support from the audience at Flip.
