Sympathy for Palestinian people growing in United States

Tehran, Qodsna – Former Virginia state senator Richard Black said in an exclusive interview with the Qods News Agency that a growing number of American people, in particular students, are becoming aware of the extent of violent tactics used against the Palestinian people; so, they cannot accept old narrative, which said ‘Israel is a constructive force’.

The interview comes as follows:

Qodsna: What is your opinion on the negative impact of the Gaza war on US-Israel ties?

Richard Black: A growing share of young Americans are disillusioned by the degree of bloodshed and destruction unleashed by the Gaza War. They have begun to question whether Israel is a constructive force in the Mideast today. Their sympathy for the Palestinian people is growing. Long after the war is done, this younger generation will remain uneasy about Israel’s history and its policies. It is hard for college students to understand why Gaza, which has no Jewish population and is entirely populated by Muslims (99%) and Christians (1%) is governed by the Jewish state of Israel. President Biden has adopted an immigration policy designed to dilute voting power of traditional American citizens. Among the millions of migrants, he has ushered into the country are many Muslims who have a different understanding of the founding of Israel in 1948 and its policies toward its neighbors since then. This new block of voters will never become pro-Israel; they will represent a permanent and growing challenge to American support for Israel in the future.

Qodsna: How do you think international pressures such as ICJ ruling can affect Gaza war?

Richard Black: The ICJ ruling affects long-term global opinion. I don’t believe it will deter Israel from using extreme measures against people in the Gaza Strip, but it will do long-lasting harm to Israel’s reputation. Many Americans originally sympathized with military reprisals taken by Israel after their settlements were attacked. But an increasing number now find it difficult to justify the extent of the violence. Israel often orders Palestinians to evacuate their homes in Gaza, only to bomb the places where Israel has ordered them to go. Historically, international law requires that reprisals be proportionate. Roughly 1200 Israeli soldiers and civilians were killed in the original attacks but now, almost 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in reprisal. Responses of this degree have generally been found excessive under the law of war.