How 9/11 Helped Israel Sell Its War on Palestinians to America

As we reflect on the devastating impact of September 11, 2001, it’s easy to overlook one aspect of its aftermath: how the “war on terror” enabled Israel’s most egregious human rights abuses against Palestinians.

Growing up just outside New York City, I witnessed firsthand the city’s transformation into a symbol of American power and resilience in the face of adversity. My Palestinian family, who had moved to the United States seeking refuge from the Israeli occupation, watched with bated breath as the world changed around us. The 9/11 attacks marked a turning point, one that would embolden Israel’s most hardline leaders to pursue a policy of unapologetic repression against Palestinians.

The events of September 11 created a vacuum in which pro-Israel lobbies and politicians could exploit American fears and anxieties. By casting the Palestinian struggle as part of a broader “war on terror,” they effectively legitimized Israeli aggression, obscuring the brutal realities of occupation and apartheid.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s infamous quote to The New York Times, where he described the 9/11 attacks as “very good” for US-Israel relations, reveals a calculating mindset that understood the potential benefits of aligning American foreign policy with Israel’s interests. As the global “war on terror” gained momentum, Israeli military practices – previously criticized by Washington – began to be adopted and legitimized in American discourse.

The post-9/11 era saw a proliferation of Islamophobic narratives, peddled by figures like David Horowitz, Daniel Pipes, and Steven Emerson. These ideologues worked tirelessly to link Palestinian identity with terrorism, casting suspicion on mainstream Muslim organizations and demonizing Islam as a civilizational threat. By positioning Israel as the West’s frontline defender against this perceived menace, they effectively whitewashed Israeli human rights abuses.

The consequences of this campaign were far-reaching. US financial support for Israel surged, while Congress passed legislation that broadened anti-terror authorities to crack down on Palestinians. Intelligence collaboration between Washington and Tel Aviv intensified, with both governments exchanging information and tactics on how to combat “terrorism.”

This symbiotic relationship between American and Israeli national security establishments has had a profound impact on the Palestinian people. The Israeli occupation, once a contentious issue in US politics, became increasingly normalized as a necessary evil in the fight against radical Islam.

As we mark the anniversary of 9/11, it’s essential to confront this unspoken legacy: how America’s “war on terror” enabled and emboldened Israel’s most egregious human rights abuses. We must also acknowledge the complicity of pro-Israel lobbies and politicians who exploited American fears and anxieties to justify Israeli aggression.

To truly honor the victims of 9/11, we must re-examine our alliance with Israel and confront the consequences of our actions in the Middle East. It’s time to break free from the dominant narratives that have legitimized Israeli repression for far too long.

The world has changed significantly since September 11, but one thing remains constant: the need for accountability and justice in the face of human rights abuses. As we move forward, it’s essential to remember that the true legacy of 9/11 lies not in the mythology of patriotism or sacrifice, but in the unspoken consequences of our actions – and the urgent need to correct them.