The End of Coexistence? Dr. Ghada Karmi on the Nakba and the Devastation of Gaza
The current war in Gaza has done more than destroy infrastructure; it has shattered long-standing hopes for Palestinian-Israeli coexistence. For many, the ongoing violence is not a new conflict but a continuation of the Nakba—the “catastrophe” of 1948—that saw nearly a million Palestinians forced from their homes.
In a recent discussion on The Marc Steiner Show, world-renowned physician and author Dr. Ghada Karmi, a survivor of the Nakba, analyzed the current crisis. Karmi argues that the scale of destruction in Gaza and the West Bank represents a tipping point that may render previous political solutions obsolete.
- The New Nakba: Dr. Karmi suggests the current situation in Gaza may be worse than the original 1948 displacement due to the systemic nature of the destruction.
- The One-State Vision: Karmi advocates for a single democratic state with equal rights, rejecting the “binational” model in favor of one that recognizes indigenous rights.
- International Dependency: The survival of the current Israeli state structure is viewed as heavily dependent on Western support, particularly from the United States.
- The Path to Peace: True peace is framed as contingent upon the “Right of Return” for Palestinian refugees.
Beyond the Two-State Paradigm
For decades, the international community has pushed for a two-state solution. However, Dr. Karmi suggests that this framework ignores the fundamental nature of the conflict. She identifies the Jewish-Israeli population—excluding a small minority of indigenous “Arab Jews”—as settler-colonialists. This distinction is critical to her argument: equality cannot be achieved by simply drawing a border between two nations.
Karmi has long advocated for a one democratic state. In this vision, Palestinians would return to their homeland and Jewish settlers would be invited to stay only if they accept equal citizenship and rights within a democratic framework. However, she admits that the Gaza genocide has made this vision feel increasingly unattainable. She points to opinion polls showing widespread support among the Israeli Jewish population for the destruction of Palestinians, making the prospect of mutual embrace feel “no longer true.”
The Psychology of Oppression
One of the most complex aspects of the conflict is how a people who suffered historic persecution can become the oppressors. Karmi proposes a psychological mechanism to explain this: a self-defense posture where persecuted groups create a narrative of inherent superiority.
According to Karmi, this belief—that they are “special” or superior to those attacking them—serves as a shield against the pain of persecution. When this mentality is transplanted into the state of Israel, it manifests as a supremacist view where Palestinians are seen as “lesser human beings,” thereby justifying oppression and violence in the eyes of the oppressor.
The Role of Western ‘Addiction’
The conflict does not exist in a vacuum. Karmi describes the relationship between Western powers—specifically the United States—and Israel as an “addiction.” She argues that the Israeli state is funded, shielded, and supported by the West, which prevents a small, oppressed population like the Palestinians from achieving liberation through their own strength alone.
Karmi suggests that the only way to break the current cycle is to address the “support end.” If Western states were to withdraw their shielding of the Israeli government, the internal and external pressures on the state would likely force a fundamental change in the status quo.
Potential Scenarios for Resolution
While the current outlook is bleak, Karmi identifies several “cocktails of impending disasters” that could force an end to the current era:
- Regional Escalation: Direct conflict with Iran or Hezbollah that damages the Israeli state’s ability to function and exposes its vulnerability.
- U.S. Policy Shifts: A strategic withdrawal of American support, which would leave the Israeli state without its primary geopolitical shield.
- Internal Fragmentation: Deepening societal splits within Israel between the secular population, the right-wing, and the Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) community, particularly regarding military service.
Conclusion: The Right of Return
Despite the prevailing hopelessness, Dr. Karmi maintains that peace is possible only if the root cause of the conflict is addressed. She rejects “sentimentality” and “obfuscation” surrounding the history of the region, stating that the only viable peace is one where Palestinians are allowed to go home.
The Right of Return is not merely a political demand but, in Karmi’s view, the only mechanism that can dismantle the current structure of dispossession and create a future based on actual justice rather than managed conflict.