In recent years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have used similar tactics to justify military aggression, human rights abuses, and the erosion of civil liberties. By framing their actions as necessary counterterrorism measures, they have implemented oppressive policies, disproportionately affecting Muslim populations in both India and Palestine. These policies, which have been presented as national security measures, have sparked widespread criticism, as they rely on the rhetoric of fighting terrorism to mask authoritarian rule and religious discrimination.
Terrorism as a Pretext for Military Aggression
Both Modi and Netanyahu have used the threat of terrorism as the main justification for their military actions. In India, Modi’s government has framed its policies in Kashmir as necessary to combat terrorism, particularly from groups operating in Pakistan. In August 2019, Modi’s government revoked Article 370, which gave Kashmir special autonomy, and imposed a harsh military crackdown on the Muslim-majority region. This action was presented as a strategy to combat terrorism, but the true goal was to assert control over Kashmir and alter its demographic makeup, disregarding the political will of its residents.
In Israel, Netanyahu has consistently invoked the threat of terrorism to justify military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. These operations, often involving airstrikes and ground assaults, have been framed as part of the fight against Hamas and other militant groups. However, the reality is that these operations have led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are Muslim. Netanyahu’s government has used the justification of fighting terrorism to justify aggressive military tactics and expand Israel’s control over Palestinian territories.
Islamophobia Masked as National Security
At the core of both Modi and Netanyahu’s policies lies a shared tactic: the use of Islamophobia to target Muslim populations under the guise of counterterrorism. In Kashmir, Modi’s government has imposed a military presence, conducted mass detentions, and silenced political opposition—all under the pretext of fighting terrorism. These actions disproportionately affect the Muslim population of the region, with their rights stripped away in the name of national security.
Similarly, Netanyahu has used the rhetoric of combating terrorism to justify the oppression of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The expansion of Israeli settlements, the construction of a separation wall, and the continued blockade of Gaza all contribute to the systematic marginalization of Palestinian Muslims. Netanyahu’s government portrays Palestinians as a security threat, using terrorism as a pretext for policies that violate their basic rights and freedoms.
Both Modi and Netanyahu have successfully portrayed their Muslim populations as threats to national security, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of these individuals are civilians. By labeling entire populations as terrorists or terrorist sympathizers, they have justified the use of military force and the imposition of oppressive policies that would otherwise be condemned by the international community.
Religious Nationalism: A Strategy for Authoritarian Rule
Both Modi and Netanyahu share a common vision of religious nationalism. Modi’s agenda centers on Hindu nationalism, which seeks to position India as a Hindu-majority state, often at the expense of its Muslim minority. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which provides a pathway to citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries, is just one example of Modi’s policy of marginalizing Muslims. These policies are often framed as part of the fight against terrorism, but they also serve the goal of consolidating Hindu power and further isolating Muslims.
Netanyahu, on the other hand, has championed Israel as a Jewish state. His government has enacted a series of laws that privilege Jewish citizens while undermining the rights of Palestinians. These policies, including the nation-state law, which defines Israel as the national home for the Jewish people, are designed to entrench Jewish dominance and marginalize Palestinians, who are predominantly Muslim. Just like Modi, Netanyahu has used the rhetoric of national security and terrorism to legitimize his agenda of religious nationalism and ethnic exclusion.
The True Human Cost: Civilian Suffering
The military actions taken by both leaders under the guise of counterterrorism have resulted in significant civilian casualties, displacement, and suffering. In Kashmir, the crackdown has led to widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and the destruction of property. The region remains under heavy military control, with civilians caught in the crossfire. Despite claims of fighting terrorism, the true cost has been the loss of life and the destruction of communities that were already marginalized.
In Gaza and the West Bank, Netanyahu’s military operations have led to thousands of Palestinian deaths, most of whom are civilians. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, with widespread poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to basic services. Netanyahu’s actions, presented as counterterrorism operations, have only deepened the suffering of innocent Palestinians, who continue to live under military occupation and in constant fear of violence.
Fear and Division as Political Tools
Modi and Netanyahu’s political strategies are built on a foundation of fear, division, and religious nationalism. By framing terrorism as a justification for war, both leaders have managed to secure domestic political support, suppress dissent, and tighten their grip on power. However, their actions have come at a high cost—displaced communities, lost lives, and the erosion of civil rights. Their use of Islamophobia as a political tool has fueled religious discrimination, enabling them to marginalize Muslim populations and justify oppressive actions with impunity.
While both leaders claim to be protecting their nations from terrorism, the reality is that their policies are a deliberate effort to consolidate power through fear and division. Their use of terrorism as a pretext for oppression has resulted in the suffering of millions, and it is essential that the international community holds them accountable for their actions. The true cost of their policies is not national security, but the human toll inflicted on innocent civilians.
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