Israeli Occupation, European Nationalism & the Indian Connection | Prof. Irfan Ahmad

In this Nous Opinion video, Prof. Irfan Ahmad, a sociology professor at Ibn Haldun University, unpacks the deep historical roots of the Israel-Palestine issue, challenging the dominant narrative that frames October 7 as its starting point. He critically examines the complex relationship between Zionism and Judaism, questioning why Zionist aspirations were uniquely tied to Palestine despite alternative proposals.
Prof. Ahmad highlights the crucial role of Christian Restorationism in shaping Zionist ideology, tracing its influence from Protestant theology to figures like William Hechler. He also explores how Western leaders—Arthur Balfour, Woodrow Wilson, and Harry Truman—supported Zionism, not purely for Jewish interests but due to a convergence of religious and imperial agendas.
He also engages with Giorgio Agamben’s concept of bare life to analyze how Palestinians are systematically marginalized in Western discourse. He critiques the selective application of human rights discourse, exposing its deep-seated biases.
The video also delves into Mahatma Gandhi’s complex and contradictory stance on Zionism. While often seen as a symbol of nonviolence and anti-colonial resistance, yet his views on Zionism and Palestine reveal a far more nuanced and contradictory position. In this Nous Opinion video, Prof. Irfan Ahmad examines Gandhi’s shifting stance—from opposing British support for Zionism in 1921 to later stating that “Jews have a prior claim in Palestine” in 1946.
Gandhi’s private meetings with Zionist leaders, including Hermann Kallenbach and Sydney Silverman, reveal a nuanced position. His secretary, Pyare Lal, even destroyed key documents on Gandhi’s views after his assassination.
Join us as Prof. Ahmad presents a thought-provoking analysis, urging us to rethink long-held narratives.