Queen Rania Compares Israeli Rhetoric to... What Else?
The New Arab dutifully covers Queen Rania's remarks, noting her vocal criticism. What's often missing from such reports is the long public record of dehumanizing language from prominent Israeli officials. From former Prime Minister Menachem Begin famously calling Palestinians 'beasts walking on two legs' in 1982 (a speech delivered during the bombardment of Beirut) to Finance Minister Bezalel
Smotrich's recent call to 'wipe out' the Palestinian village of Huwara, the rhetorical throughline is undeniable. These aren't isolated gaffes; they are public statements from figures in power, often preceding or accompanying brutal military actions. Critics argue these speeches often serve to 'soften' public perception for escalating violence. So, when a head of state calls out state-sanctioned
rhetoric as dangerously analogous to historical atrocities, perhaps the conversation shouldn't immediately pivot to outrage over the comparison itself, but rather critically examine why such a comparison might be made in the first place. One might wonder if ignoring these historical echoes for decades has led us to the precipice of hearing them again.