The urgency of understanding key terms in Israel-Palestine discourse

SHAH ALAM - A change in perspective is advocated regarding perceptions of Israel.

Rather than viewing it just as a nation, its role as a settler colony occupying Palestine should be acknowledged.

Dar Collective social media strategist and Palestinian activist Subhi Taha discussed the terms and explanation on his Instagram @sbeih.jpg.

Here are the major points:

Reimagining Israel's Image: Advocating a transition from seeing Israel as only a nation to understanding it as a settler colony occupying Palestine. This new lens offers a deeper insight into the history of Israel and Palestine.

Israel's Historical Context: Labeling Israel as a settler colony highlights its historical origins and challenges the common understanding of it as a recognised nation.

Suggested Terminology: New terms such as "coloniser" for Israelis and "colonised" for Palestinians are recommended to depict the situation more accurately.

Referring to Israeli Cities: Israeli cities can be called "settlements" to emphasize the contested nature of their location.

Addressing Israeli Citizens: Suggested alternatives for "Israeli citizens" include "settler" and "Zionist settlers."

Israeli Military's Role: Consider renaming the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) as the IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces).

Describing Palestinians: Use descriptors like "indigenous" and "native" for Palestinians to accentuate their long-standing presence.

Acknowledging Palestine: Encourage recognising Palestine as a country despite the UN's stance.

Reframing Conflict Terms: Favor the words "colonisation" and "occupation" over "conflict" and "war" to depict the situation's true dynamics.

Gaza's Situation: In Gaza's context, use "genocide" instead of "war" and describe Gaza as an "extermination camp" rather than an "open-air prison."

Describing Palestinian Efforts: "Decolonisation," "liberation," and "resistance" are proposed terms for Palestinian initiatives.

Media's Portrayal of Terrorism: Highlight the use of "terrorism" to depict Palestinians, Muslims, and other groups negatively.

Discussing Displacement: Suggest using "ethnically cleansed" instead of "fled" or "vacated."

Key Terminology's Importance: Highlight the relevance of terms like "apartheid," "annexation," and "military occupation" in the Israel-Palestine narrative.