Common Misconceptions
It’s okay if you’ve found yourself here not sure what you think of Palestine. Maybe you think you don’t know enough to have an opinion, maybe you think you know it all. This post is here to clear some things up for you. We’re all about watering those melons. Hopefully, this starts to break down some overarching misconceptions. lfg.
Myth #1: Palestine never existed.
Palestine isn’t some new concept that just popped up. It's been a recognized region for centuries, with historical mentions that go way back. The Romans referred to it as Palaestina, and under the Ottomans, it was still known as Palestine, existing as part of the empire's administrative regions. Even during the British Mandate, the area was officially called Palestine.
The name and identity have persisted through history, despite efforts to erase or deny it. Palestinians are part of a deep-rooted history tied to this land, long before recent political disputes. To claim Palestine never existed is to ignore centuries of documented history.
Myth #2: Gaza is occupied by Palestinians, so it’s their fault.
Gaza is technically under Palestinian governance, but that doesn’t mean it’s free. In reality, Gaza is under a blockade by Israel and Egypt, which severely restricts movement, resources, and economic opportunities. This blockade has been in place for 17 years and impacts every part of life for the over 2 million people living there.
It’s not just about borders; it's about control over air, land, and sea. The blockade limits essential supplies like food, water, and medical aid, creating an ongoing humanitarian crisis. To imply that it's the fault of Palestinians living in Gaza ignores the systematic restrictions that prevent them from building a stable, thriving society. This isn’t a failure of governance—it’s a result of isolation and control from the outside.
Myth #3: Israel only responds to Palestinian violence.
This narrative paints a very one-sided picture, and it's just not accurate. The reality is that the occupation involves systematic control over Palestinian lives—land seizures, military presence, checkpoints, and raids are all part of the daily reality for Palestinians. These actions often provoke responses, creating a cycle of violence that isn’t as simple as one side attacking and the other side defending.
Land confiscations, settlement expansions, and the heavy military presence are not reactions—they are proactive moves that provoke frustration and resistance. To say that Israel "only responds" ignores the ongoing aggression and control Palestinians face every day, which is what fuels the tension in the first place. It's a complex cycle, but it’s important to recognize that the violence isn't just a response—it's often the result of deeper, systemic issues of occupation and oppression.
Myth #4: Palestinians hate Jews.
This is a harmful stereotype that needs to be addressed. The struggle is not about religion or ethnicity—it’s about ending the occupation and challenging apartheid policies. Palestinians aren’t fighting against Jewish people; they’re resisting the conditions of occupation, which denies them their basic rights and freedoms.
It’s important to separate the actions of a government from an entire group of people. Many Palestinians and Jews actively work together, advocating for peace, coexistence, and equal rights for everyone in the region. This struggle is about justice, not hate, and there are countless voices on both sides that want to see a future where everyone, regardless of their identity, can live in peace and dignity.
Myth #5: There’s no apartheid in Israel, Palestinians have rights.
This one comes up a lot, but let's be clear—Palestinians do not enjoy the same rights as Israeli citizens. Palestinians live under a different set of laws and face countless restrictions that impact their daily lives, from freedom of movement to access to resources like water, healthcare, and land.
The situation fits the definition of apartheid under international law, where one group is given privileges while another is systematically oppressed. In the West Bank, Israelis living in settlements are subject to civil law, while Palestinians in the same area live under military law. In Gaza, the blockade effectively traps over 2 million people in a small strip of land with limited access to basic necessities.
Palestinians in East Jerusalem face residency restrictions, while those inside Israel encounter systemic discrimination in housing, education, and employment. These differences aren’t just inconveniences—they are built-in mechanisms of inequality designed to maintain control, which is exactly what defines apartheid.
Myth #6: There’s no humanitarian crisis in Gaza; they just misuse resources.
This myth overlooks the reality on the ground. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza isn’t about resource misuse; it’s about the severe restrictions imposed by a 17-year blockade. This blockade has made it nearly impossible for the over 2 million people living there to access essential supplies, including food, water, medicine, and electricity.
The blockade has crippled Gaza's economy, limited job opportunities, and cut off access to medical care and basic human needs. The majority of people are reliant on international aid just to survive, not because of misuse, but because they’re denied the ability to thrive independently. The crisis is a direct consequence of this blockade—it's not a management issue, it’s about being systematically cut off from opportunities to grow and live freely.
Myth #7: Palestinians are terrorists.
This harmful myth tries to reduce an entire population to a single, negative stereotype. The reality is that Palestinians are people, just like anyone else, with a wide range of political views, beliefs, and ways of life. Many Palestinians engage in peaceful resistance—protests, advocacy, art, and storytelling—as ways to stand against the occupation and fight for their rights.
Labeling all Palestinians as terrorists is a deliberate tactic to delegitimize their struggle and ignore the very real injustices they face. It shifts focus away from their legitimate calls for freedom and instead tries to justify the ongoing occupation and violence against them. The vast majority of Palestinians simply want to live in peace, with dignity and basic human rights, and work towards that in countless peaceful ways.