For years, I have been a vocal defender of Israel, striving to articulate the reality of living under the shadow of constant terror. The horrific attack of October 7th intensified my commitment to this cause and revealed a more profound and pervasive issue. The narrative isn't solely dominated by the extreme antisemitic and genocidal ideology of Hamas. Beneath this lies an underlying sense of supremacy among many Palestinians—a belief in inherent superiority.
The recent hostage deal between Israel and Hamas starkly highlights an alarming facet of Palestinian supremacism: the notion that Jewish lives hold no intrinsic value, treatable as mere bargaining chips in grossly disproportionate exchanges. Under this agreement, Israel is set to release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom are terrorists or imprisoned for terror-related activities, in exchange for just 33 Israeli hostages. Among these 33 hostages, some are expected to be dead bodies, illustrating a chilling imbalance where Palestinian demands far exceed the value placed on Jewish lives. This deal not only underscores the perceived worthlessness of Jewish lives but also perpetuates the terror element where Palestinian groups feel they possess the moral and strategic superiority to dictate terms, even when those terms involve the right to kill and maim through acts of terror. The sense of entitlement to violence further entrenches the belief among some in Palestinian society that they can act with impunity, above the moral and legal constraints that bind others, especially Jews.
The understanding that the Palestinian ethos encompasses not only antisemitism, anti-Western sentiments, and radical Islamism but also a deep-seated belief in their own superiority has been eye-opening.
Terror as a Tool of Supremacy
The use of terror by Palestinian factions such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad transcends traditional conflict strategy, evolving into a deliberate tool for asserting dominance and moral superiority. Through acts of brutality, mass killings, and indiscriminate violence, these groups not only aim to inflict physical harm but also to establish psychological control and project power over their adversaries. This ideology of supremacy manifests through calculated attacks designed to terrorize and dominate, perpetuating cycles of violence and hatred.
Terrorism as an Assertion of Supremacy
Massacres and Indiscriminate Attacks: The October 7, 2024, massacre, in which over 1,200 Israelis were brutally murdered, marked one of the most horrific single-day attacks in Israel’s history. Civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, were not spared. The intent was clear: to terrorize and humiliate, showcasing power through the sheer scale of brutality. Such attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a long-standing strategy to instill fear and impose psychological dominance.
Suicide Bombings: Palestinian Islamic Jihad, along with Hamas, pioneered the use of suicide bombings as a hallmark tactic during the Second Intifada (2000-2005). These attacks targeted buses, cafes, markets, and other public spaces, killing hundreds of civilians and leaving thousands more scarred. Each explosion was a calculated act of terror designed to disrupt daily life and reinforce a narrative of superiority through unrelenting violence.
Rocket Attacks on Civilian Areas: Both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have launched thousands of rockets at Israeli towns and cities over the years. These indiscriminate attacks not only endanger civilian lives but also aim to undermine the sense of security within Israel, turning daily life into a constant state of anxiety. The rocket barrages, often timed with significant political events or tensions, serve as a display of power, with the goal of asserting dominance over Israeli defenses and population centers.
Kidnappings and Killings: Incidents such as the 2014 kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers by Hamas operatives underscore another dimension of terror. These acts are not only meant to instill fear but also to send a message of impunity and control over life and death.
Attacks on Religious and Cultural Sites: Terrorism is also used to assert dominance over religious and cultural identity. For instance, repeated desecrations of Jewish holy sites, such as the Tomb of Joseph in Nablus, serve to assert control over symbolic spaces, further embedding the supremacist ideology into the conflict.
The tactics employed by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad go beyond military or political objectives. They represent an ideology that glorifies terror as a means of asserting superiority—morally, psychologically, and politically. This supremacist mindset justifies any act of violence, no matter how brutal or disproportionate, as a demonstration of strength and dominance.
Such terrorism is not merely a strategy; it is a deliberate assertion of control and supremacy. It perpetuates cycles of hatred, undermines the prospects for peace, and sustains a reality of constant fear and instability within the region.

Dependency on International Aid
The Palestinian territories have been recipients of significant international aid since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, with this aid becoming more structured after the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s. The amount of aid has been substantial, making Palestinians among the highest per-capita recipients of aid globally. Critics argue that this dependency has fostered a sense of entitlement, potentially leading to a form of political or economic supremacy where aid is seen as an indefinite right rather than temporary assistance aimed at state-building or humanitarian relief.
However, it's crucial to understand that this aid was initially intended to support the peace process and economic solvency of the Palestinian National Authority (PA). Critics like Jared Kushner have pointed out that despite the aid, tangible peace or development has not been proportionally achieved, suggesting a disconnect between aid and outcomes.
The dependency on aid has also contributed to a dangerous sense of moral and political superiority among certain Palestinian factions. By positioning themselves as perpetual victims deserving of global support, some leaders and groups have avoided addressing the consequences of terror activities and incitement against Israel. In fact, some international aid indirectly supports entities that glorify violence, with funds used to pay stipends to individuals convicted of terrorism or their families, known as the "pay-for-slay" policy.
The exciting financial support system not only legitimizes terrorism in the eyes of many but also fosters a belief that such actions can occur without consequences. It sends a troubling message: that the world will continue to provide assistance regardless of governance failures, incitement, or acts of aggression.
Global Support and Supremacist Ideology
The tactic of using intimidation and violence to assert ideological or political supremacy has not been confined to the Middle East but has reverberated in Western cities, where pro-Palestinian supporters have engaged in alarming acts of antisemitism. In cities like New York, London, Paris, and Berlin, demonstrations supporting Palestine have escalated into vandalism, public disruptions, and targeted attacks on Jewish individuals and institutions. These actions go beyond political protest, reflecting a sense of moral and ideological superiority that emboldens individuals to act above societal norms and the rule of law.
The supremacist mindset is evident in numerous incidents.
During the 2021 Israel-Gaza conflict, Jewish diners in Los Angeles were assaulted by a pro-Palestinian mob after being singled out for their identity. Similarly, on college campuses such as Cooper Union in New York, Jewish students were harassed and cornered by protesters, who justified their actions as a form of retribution for Israeli policies. These acts of intimidation reveal a belief that the attackers’ cause grants them moral superiority, allowing them to target others indiscriminately without regard for basic ethical principles.
A disregard for the rule of law further exemplifies this supremacist ideology. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Western cities have often devolved into riots, with participants engaging in acts of vandalism against synagogues, desecration of Jewish cemeteries, and destruction of public property. In some cases, graffiti bearing anti-Semitic slogans and symbols, such as swastikas, have defaced Jewish institutions. The perpetrators act as though their cause justifies their actions, asserting a belief that their grievances place them above accountability and societal norms.
Dehumanization of Jewish individuals is another hallmark of this ideology. At many protests, chants like "Death to Jews" or comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany underscore the attackers’ perception of moral and political superiority.
The role of global narratives and the strategic use of international institutions plays a significant part in advancing and legitimizing the Palestinian supremacist ideology in the West. Platforms like the United Nations have been leveraged to disproportionately criticize Israel, creating an environment where one-sided narratives dominate international discourse. Between 2015 and 2022, the UN passed over 120 resolutions against Israel—far exceeding the scrutiny directed at countries with documented, large-scale human rights abuses, such as China or Iran. This selective accountability is not merely an oversight but often a deliberate effort to isolate and delegitimize Israel on the world stage.
Additionally, prominent human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have further amplified this narrative by labeling Israeli policies as apartheid while downplaying or ignoring the violent actions and supremacist rhetoric of groups like Hamas. These accusations, devoid of balanced context, serve to vilify Israel while portraying Palestinian causes as morally unassailable.
By exploiting these platforms, proponents of this ideology aim to impose their worldview on the West, framing their cause as a universal moral imperative. This strategy not only emboldens individuals to engage in acts of hostility, believing they are acting with international approval, but also pressures Western societies to adopt policies and positions that align with this narrative. The disproportionate focus on Israel and the uncritical adoption of Palestinian claims in international forums perpetuate a supremacist ideology that seeks not coexistence, but dominance in shaping global perceptions and policies.
In Western cities, this convergence of moral justification, disregard for the law, and perceived global validation perpetuates an ideology that transcends legitimate political advocacy. It promotes a dangerous belief that one’s cause excuses harm to others, enabling acts of hatred and violence under the guise of justice. The pro-Palestinian supremacist ideology threatens not only Jewish communities but also the principles of equality, justice, and coexistence that democratic societies strive to uphold.
The Formation of Supremacist Ideology in Palestinian Education
The Palestinian educational system has embedded elements of a supremacist ideology, particularly in its presentation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader narrative of Palestinian identity and rights. This ideology has been constructed over decades, influenced by the political and social contexts of the region. Since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority post-Oslo Accords, the curriculum has been developed to reflect Palestinian identity and aspirations, presenting Jews as enemies and glorifying acts of resistance. The educational materials often frame the conflict in terms that suggest a moral and historical superiority of the Palestinian cause over the Israeli one.
In Palestinian textbooks, Jews are depicted as invaders or occupiers, cultivating a view among students that the Palestinian struggle is inherently more just and righteous. This narrative is tied to the broader socio-political environment, where the persistent conflict, the narrative of occupation, and the quest for self-determination have shaped educational content. Themes of resistance, martyrdom, and the right to reclaim land are emphasized, especially given the limited access to education due to Israeli restrictions. International reports have noted that these materials promote jihad and martyrdom as noble pursuits, framing them within the context of struggle against an occupier, which inherently suggests a form of ideological supremacy.
The Palestinian educational approach shapes national consciousness by reducing the complexity of the conflict to a binary of good versus evil, where Palestinian identity and rights are paramount, and the Israeli presence is delegitimized. It prepares young Palestinians for a life where resistance is celebrated, often at the expense of peace education or engaging critically with multiple perspectives. The construction of this narrative in education contributes to a worldview where Palestinian claims are seen as inherently superior to those of their adversaries, potentially limiting students' understanding of the broader conflict dynamics.
To conclude, I view the Palestinian supremacist ideology as a deeply entrenched belief system that not only fuels the ongoing conflict but also obstructs pathways to peace. This ideology, reflected through dependency on international aid, perceived superiority in hostage negotiations, the use of terror as a tool of dominance, and its propagation within the educational system, paints a picture of a society where some believe their cause justifies any action, including violence, against Jews. It's a worldview that not only devalues Jewish lives but also positions Palestinians in a morally superior stance, complicating any efforts towards reconciliation and mutual respect.
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