Kathmandu— Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and War Minister Israel Katz have instructed the children of Gaza to cease flying their homemade paper kites or risk death. This directive comes amid a broader trend of manufactured fear, where activities like kite-flying are deemed threats by Israeli authorities. Similarly, American campuses have seen intimidation tactics used to silence discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Zionist groups claiming that criticism makes Jewish students feel 'unsafe.'
Kite Panic in Gaza
On August 23, Prime Minister Netanyahu and War Minister Katz ordered Gazan children to stop flying their paper kites. These kites are made from plastic or paper collected from the dump, with bamboo sticks for frames, and serve as a source of joy during summer months. The directive has caused psychological torment among these children, who now face potential death if they continue this activity. Local committees have urged parents to stop their children from making or flying kites.
Intimidation on American Campuses
A poll of nearly a thousand U.S. Middle East scholars found that many self-censor when discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to fear of career consequences and being labeled as bigots. This intimidation extends beyond academic circles, with Zionist groups claiming Jewish students feel 'unsafe' on campuses. In April 2024, a Zionist mob attacked a Gaza solidarity encampment at UCLA, injuring several students without facing arrest.
Manufactured Fear and Its Consequences
The manufactured fear used to justify these actions is not based on evidence but rather on feelings of insecurity. This tactic has been employed both in Gaza and on American campuses to silence dissent and rationalize violence or intimidation. The article argues that this paranoia, which equates a child's kite with a weapon or a human-rights argument with hate speech, requires psychological treatment rather than validation from government and university institutions.
(With inputs from CounterPunch)
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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.
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