Structural violence and colonial legacies shape Ramadan in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli bombardment
Original framing: “No joy, no respite during Ramadan for families in Gaza City destroyed by Israel .” — Al Jazeera
The original framing omits the role of U.S. and European military and economic support for Israel, the historical context of Palestinian land dispossession since 1948, and the erasure of indigenous Palestinian knowledge and governance systems. It also fails to center the voices of Palestinian scholars, activists, and elders who have long articulated the need for decolonization and self-determination.
Critical structural omission detected in mainstream coverage.
This narrative is produced by Al Jazeera, a Qatari media outlet with regional influence, likely intended for both local and international audiences. While it highlights Palestinian suffering, it does not interrogate the broader geopolitical structures that enable Israeli aggression or the complicity of Western governments and institutions in upholding the status quo. The framing serves to maintain a victim-perpetrator binary rather than exposing the colonial and imperial underpinnings of the conflict.
The current crisis in Gaza is part of a century-long pattern of British and Israeli land expropriation, displacement, and violence against Palestinians. Historical parallels include the 1948 Nakba, the 1967 occupation, and the 2008-2009 Gaza invasion, all of which share similar patterns of infrastructure destruction and civilian targeting.
The suffering of Palestinians in Gaza during Ramadan is not an isolated tragedy but a manifestation of a centuries-old colonial project that has systematically erased their land, culture, and agency.