Two Years of the Palestinian Genocide
By Bagja Hidayat, for Tempo Magazine, October 5, 2025
PALESTINE, Noam Chomsky asserts, is fundamentally a story of colonialism and dispossession. Yet, the global narrative surrounding it often seems far more convoluted.
Chomsky, a Jewish intellectual residing in the United States, has long been unflinching in his critiques of Israeli policies while expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause. As a renowned linguist and philosopher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he maintains that his perspective is rooted in a commitment to humanity rather than a conflict of identities.
Humanitarian Concerns
His position highlights a stark contrast with the prevailing attitudes around him. A Jewish man advocating for Palestinian rights in a country where the government predominantly supports Israel underscores a complex moral landscape. Chomsky’s stance is clear: he prioritizes humanitarian concerns above all.
Recent reports from Gaza, as covered by a Tempo correspondent, reveal the devastating human toll of the conflict. The brutal assault on October 7, 2023, has led to the deaths of at least 65,000 people. The ongoing blockade has further exacerbated conditions, leading to mass casualties and widespread starvation.
UN Official Declares Gaza Situation a Genocide
Francesca Albanese, a prominent figure at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has labeled the events in Gaza a genocide. The 48-year-old Italian presented her findings in a comprehensive 27-page report detailing the aftermath of the Israeli assault. This edition of Tempo includes an exclusive interview with Albanese.
Failed to Mention
Albanese’s presentation aligns with the conclusions drawn by Noam Chomsky, highlighting a troubling reality: the Palestinian issue has become obscured by widespread denial among international leaders regarding the severity of the situation in Gaza. The reluctance to acknowledge the genocide is evident, even in high-profile speeches, such as that of Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto at the United Nations on September 23, 2025, which notably failed to mention the word “genocide.”
This denial contributes to the stagnation of any potential solutions for peace in Palestine. The two-state solution—once a beacon of hope—now appears futile, as the concept of Palestinian sovereignty has stalled. Israel’s refusal to accept the proposal submitted to the UN in 1974, largely due to disagreements over the pre-1967 borders, underscores the persistent occupation that has continued since that time.
Moreover, discussions surrounding Palestinian sovereignty risk shifting the narrative away from critical issues of colonialism, genocide, and the deprivation of rights, reducing them to a mere territorial dispute. Albanese emphasizes that while sovereignty talks are necessary, they do not alleviate the grim reality faced by many Gazans, who continue to suffer and perish from violence and the humanitarian aid blockade.
The Path to Peace Requires Acknowledgment of Colonialism
In the pursuit of peace, recognizing the truth is essential for any reconciliation efforts. Francesca Albanese emphasizes that before advocating for peace in international forums, state leaders must first confront the reality of colonialism. She urges that all nations should sever ties with Israel to facilitate serious discussions about a peaceful resolution. Without this foundational acknowledgment, dialogue will inevitably become convoluted and ineffective.
Numerous writers have delved into the complex roots of the ongoing conflict in Palestine. Among these is On Palestine, which provides the basis for Noam Chomsky’s earlier observations in this article. Another significant contribution is Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations by Ronen Bergman, a journalist for Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel’s largest newspaper.
Covert Operations
Unlike Chomsky and other scholars who examine the broader causes of the conflict, Bergman focuses on the covert operations carried out by Israeli intelligence to eliminate Palestinian leaders. His findings are supported by thousands of interviews with agents and substantial documentation from Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. The revelations contained in Bergman’s book often surpass the thrilling narratives found in Hollywood spy films, such as the Jason Bourne series.
The title of Bergman’s 2018 publication is derived from the Talmud’s principle: “If someone comes to kill you, get up and kill them first.” This axiom encapsulates the rationale behind many Israeli intelligence operations and poses a disturbing reflection of the deep-rooted Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has persisted for over two centuries.
The historical context of British occupation in Jerusalem, compounded by the Holocaust in Germany, fostered an inferiority complex among Jewish advocates of Zionism. This sentiment bred a profound resentment and an ever-present sense of threat, driving some to take aggressive actions against those who opposed the establishment of the state of Israel. In turn, this inferiority complex evolved into a sense of entitlement, bolstered by considerable support, leading to increasingly assertive and, at times, violent responses.
Bagja Hidayat joined Tempo Magazine in 2001. An alumnus of IPB University and Binus Business School. Recipient of the Jakarta Journalist Award and the Mochtar Lubis Award for several investigative reports. His book published in 2014 is titled #kelaSelasa: Journalism, Media, and News Writing Techniques. Since 2023, he has served at Tempo as a deputy editor-in-chief.
This post is based on https://www.tempo.co/prelude/sampul-tempo-2-tahun-genosida-palestina-2076386. Featured image credit: Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono attends the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference in Antalya, Türkiye, Friday (04/11/2025). (Photo credit: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
In this edition:
- Empty Rhetoric in Response to the Gaza Genocide
- How Israel Neutralizes Gaza: Cutting Off Food Supplies
- Hunger Strangling Gaza, While Israel Continues to Deny
- Children and Pregnant Women in Gaza Starve Due to Israeli Blockade
- Finally Western Countries Recognize the State of Palestine
- How Far Has Indonesia Supported Palestinian Independence?
- Francesca Albanese: Leaders Reluctant to Acknowledge Genocide in Palestine
Stories From Indonesia 
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