Yuval Noah Harari on the perils of viewing Israel-Palestine through the 'victimhood' context

Harari on the perils of viewing Israel-Palestine through the 'victimhood' context | GZERO World

In a wide-ranging conversation with Ian Bremmer, filmed live at the historic 92nd Street Y in NYC, bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari discusses the profound role narratives play in conflict resolution and identity politics. It’s through this framing that Harari and Ian address the latest conflict between Israel and Gaza. Victimhood, Harari posits, often comes with an element of truth, but it carries the danger of absolving individuals or nations of responsibility. "If you think about yourself primarily as a victim, it relieves you of all responsibility," he explains.

Bremmer also presses Harari on the notion of narratives, and particularly, how to distinguish between patriotism and nationalism. Harari describes patriotism as the love for a unique group and a willingness to do more for them, akin to how we treat our families. Nationalism, however, turns perilous when it crosses into supremacism — when love for one's group becomes an excuse to despise and discriminate against others. Harari asserts, "It becomes dangerous when we start saying this group of people, they are not just unique. They are superior."

Harari defends the possibility of simultaneously supporting the rights and dignities of both Israelis and Palestinians. Holding dual narratives of both people's aspirations to live dignified lives in their homelands is not only possible but necessary, according to Harari. "Just because you are in favor of the rights of Palestinians doesn't mean you have to be also in favor of destroying Israel completely," he states.

Watch full episode: Yuval Noah Harari explains why the world isn't fair (but could be)

Catch GZERO World with Ian Bremmer every week online and on US public television. Check local listings.

More from GZERO Media

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters, announcing he intends to step down as Liberal Party leader, from his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Jan. 6, 2025.
REUTERS/Patrick Doyle

On Monday morning, Jan. 6, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his plan to resign.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters, announcing that he intends to step down as Liberal Party leader and prime minister from his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa, Canada, on Jan. 6, 2025.
REUTERS/Patrick Doyle

On Monday, Jan. 6, the Canadian PM announced his plan to resign as Liberal Party leader. After the shock resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Dec. 10, the dominoes began to fall. With the looming threat of a non-confidence vote when Parliament resumes this month, three of the four Liberal regional caucuses demanded that Trudeau quit, and with a general caucus meeting set for this Wednesday, Trudeau finally decided the odds were insurmountable.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. January 4, 2025.
Italian Government/Handout via REUTERS

President-elect Donald Trump was full of praise for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her surprise visit to Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, calling her a “fantastic woman” who has “really taken Europe by storm.”

A contingent of security forces from Guatemala holds a Guatemala flag as they arrive in Haiti for a security mission, at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-Au-Prince Haiti January 4, 2025.
REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol

A total of 150 Guatemalan soldiers landed in Haiti on Friday and Saturday to join a United Nations-backed mission led by Kenya aimed at curbing rampant gang violence.

FILE PHOTO: Members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) stand guard against the M23 rebel group in Lubero, North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo October 27, 2024.
REUTERS/Djaffar Al Katanty/File Photo

The rebel March 23 Movement, aka M23, reportedly supported by Rwanda, captured the strategic town of Masisi in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province from the army and pro-government militias on Saturday.

For small businesses, the pandemic accelerated their digital journey, and many are finding benefits beyond digital payment acceptance, including back-end efficiencies and more targeted social media marketing. So far, their strategy is working — small businesses that use technology platforms increased their profits between 2022 and 2023 more than those that used little to no tech, according to a 2024 US Chamber of Commerce report. Read how small businesses are increasingly turning to digital tools to gain valuable insights needed for their businesses to grow and evolve.