The Flood: The War on Palestine in Gaza
A Review by . Amal Al-Jubouri of Azmi Bishara’s Book
Azmi Bishara’s book The Flood: The War on Palestine in Gaza may be concise, but it is rich in content and depth. It offers a detailed analysis that extends beyond mere statistics and historical documents about the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. Bishara critically dissects the situation with an academic rigor that transcends the superficial and often biased perspectives that dominate the discourse on the subject. Whether from those who support Israel’s military operations or those who champion the Palestinian cause, discussions are frequently clouded by partiality. Bishara stands apart by maintaining a balanced, informed viewpoint.
Bishara’s analysis dives into the geopolitical shifts of recent years, particularly the normalization of relations between several Arab states and Israel. These alliances aim to diminish the influence of political Islamic movements, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, and to curb Iran’s power in the region. This dynamic reshapes the narrative around the war on Gaza and the broader Palestinian cause. Bishara’s observations highlight the importance of bringing his work to an English-speaking audience to raise awareness among Western and non-Arabic-speaking Muslim communities. Beyond translating the text, he suggests the need for engaging social media content, including videos, to disseminate this critical analysis more widely.
In The Flood, Bishara reflects on the geopolitical realities and argues that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which began on October 7, 2023, did not alter the balance of power in the region but illuminated the alliances that have taken shape. The operation disrupted the normalization process and re-centered the Palestinian issue in the Arab consciousness. While official Arab governments—engaged in normalization with Israel—felt compelled to issue token condemnations of the violence, these were largely strategic, designed to appease public sentiment without damaging their burgeoning alliances. The two-state solution is often used as a cover to maintain Israel’s control, turning Palestine into a fragile, non-sovereign entity under Israeli dominance.
Bishara warns that attempts to marginalize the Palestinian cause date back to the 1991 Gulf War and were exacerbated by the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. The Al-Aqsa Flood operation, however, interrupted these efforts, leading to unprecedented global solidarity with Palestine. Symbols like the Palestinian keffiyeh have transformed into emblems of resistance against oppression, colonialism, and human rights abuses. Some nations have even recognized Palestine as a state, though Bishara cautions that this recognition will be meaningless if it does not include the pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as the capital.
In discussing Palestinian unity, Bishara raises a critical issue: achieving self-determination may remain elusive not because of structural obstacles, but due to political decisions. Without a unified Palestinian front, grounded in the reformation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on democratic foundations, Bishara predicts that temporary and unjust “settlements” will prevail. These settlements, often imposed by external forces, fail to represent the enduring strength of Palestinian resistance and instead reflect the political benefits of Israel’s military might.
The settlements post-October 7 are presented from the perspective of Western and Israeli partners as a means to curtail the “cycle of violence.” From an Israeli standpoint, their actions, no matter how extreme, are justified as a response to Palestinian “terrorism.” This shifts the focus of future negotiations away from fundamental rights like the right of return to more superficial issues, such as housing and economic reforms, all while maintaining Israel’s de facto control over Palestinian territories.
In a insightful critique, Bishara asserts that misleading the Palestinian people with false hopes of imminent victory over Israel—based on overly optimistic or metaphysical expectations—does more harm than good. Such sentiments offer a temporary escape from harsh realities but ultimately lead to disillusionment. He argues that this blend of moral and analytical confusion, where the lines between hopeful resistance and unrealistic promises are blurred, damages the cause of justice. It prevents people from taking pragmatic actions that could sustain Palestinian resilience and, instead, directs them toward empty rhetoric that leads to frustration.
Bishara concludes his book with a powerful call to action. He emphasizes the crucial role that Palestinian intellectuals must play in this struggle—not only in their academic and cultural roles but also in fostering national and humanitarian solidarity. Their efforts should be directed toward alleviating the suffering in Gaza, countering the Israeli war’s genocidal propaganda, and putting pressure on key Palestinian political factions to unite under the PLO. Such unity is essential to ensure that the sacrifices made are not in vain, but rather lead to tangible achievements for the Palestinian cause.
Bishara poses a final, urgent question, one that resonates deeply with all who care about the future of Palestine: “If you find yourself facing a people who lost their homeland 75 years ago, with part of their refugees living in a besieged strip for more than a decade and a half, having endured four wars, and whose resistance operations have been met with Israel’s genocidal wars—where do you stand?”
I, too, echo Bishara’s question. Where do you stand on this moral issue?
Note :As noted on the back cover of this book, the author addresses a subject that both he and his readers are experiencing in real-time during its composition. The book explores a significant event whose outcomes remain unknown, and whose full dimensions and effects are difficult to grasp—an understanding that must guide its reading. This publication coincides with the release of the Arabic translation of Bishara’s other book, The Palestinian Question: Questions of Truth and Justice. The current book was published seven months after the onset of the ongoing war on Gaza, which has escalated into a war of extermination.