Chicago: John Mearsheimer, a professor of political science at the University of Chicago, has alleged that "the Israelis are executing a genocide in Gaza," further claiming that the US is "complicit in that genocide."
According to Anadolu Agency, Mearsheimer discussed in an interview with media personality Tucker Carlson that what is happening in Gaza is a systematic effort by Israel to dismantle the Palestinian national identity.
He added that Israel is targeting Palestinians specifically as a group, aiming not only to kill large numbers but also to erase their identity as a people. Mearsheimer stated that the Israelis have long aimed to expel the Palestinian population from what they consider "Greater Israel."
"If you look at Greater Israel, this includes the Israel that was created in 1948 and the occupied territories. This is the West Bank, Gaza, and what we call the Green Line Israel. That's Greater Israel," the scholar explained. He further commented on the situation post-October 7, indicating that Israel sees it as an opportunity for ethnic cleansing.
Mearsheimer referred to historical instances of large-scale ethnic cleansings by Israel in 1948 and 1967, describing the latest campaign in Gaza as "the third attempt at a massive ethnic cleansing." Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has continued its offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians and causing severe devastation in the enclave.
He also stated that one of Israel's aims is to ensure its neighbors remain "weak," suggesting that breaking them apart and keeping them broken is part of this strategy. Mearsheimer highlighted that the concept of ethnic cleansing has been a topic extensively discussed by Zionist leaders since the inception of the idea of Greater Israel.
Prominent Zionist leaders like David Ben Gurion and Vladimir Jabotinsky were aware that achieving their goals would require drastic measures against Palestinians, Mearsheimer noted. He explained that these leaders understood the resistance from Palestinians as a natural reaction to losing their land.
Furthermore, Mearsheimer addressed the role of the Israel lobby in the US, emphasizing its significant influence on US foreign policy in the Middle East. He stated that while major powers like the US usually prioritize their own interests, in the case of Israel, it seems to follow an "Israel first" approach, reflecting the lobby's powerful impact.