A Conversation with Israeli Historian Lee Mordechai in Jerusalem – “It would be impossible for Israel to wage this war (of annihilation) in the way it has been waged without the US support.”
11 Jun 2025 – Earlier this year, our small delegation of scholars and writers from 6 different countries, including UK, USA, Canada, S. Korea, Japan and Myanmar, met with Dr Lee Mordechai of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for a conversation about his country’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. Mordechai was the author of the 124-page Hebrew original report on Israel’s war crimes in Gaza entitled Bearing Witness to the Israel-Gaza War.
At our request to meet with, and hear from, some Israeli scholars who are principled and disturbed by what the State of Israel is doing to the Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Our Palestinian host organization Sabeel, the liberation theology centre, reached out to Mordechai, who, in turn, graciously agreed to share his reflections, both as a trained scholar and a Jewish Israeli.
From left to right: Professor Michimi Muranishi of Tokyo, Professor El Jones of Halifax, Canada, Professor Lee Mordechai of the Hebrew U. Of Jerusalem (with glasses) and Omar Haramy, director of Sabeel, at Sabeel, Jerusalem, January 2025 (photo by Zarni).
Like every Israeli, he had done his mandatory military service in the Israeli Defence Force before heading to the United States where he did his PhD specializing in in the ancient Eastern Mediterranean region.
According to him, within the Hebrew discourses (among the Israelis), for something to be called a genocide or holocaust there have to be “trains, death camps and gas chambers.”
“As a scholar, I am committed to truth”, stressed Mordechai before proceeding to say that he avoided the terms such as “terrorism” “Zionism” and opted for “neutral” and “descriptive” words to document what Israel is doing to the Palestinian population in Gaza.
He did offer his intimate understanding about the real intentions of powerful actors in Israeli state and society. Six months ago, Mordechai projected 3 things: 1) the IDF is not going to withdraw from Gaza; 2) there are plans to (forcibly) relocate Palestinians to 3rd countries and give them small sums of money; and 3) there are actors who are bent on settling the Jewish people in Gaza.
Our conversation preceded Donald Trump’s criminal pronouncement that USA will take over Gaza as a piece of prime real estate on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea while in effect ethnically cleansing the devastated narrow strip of Palestinian land.
Our conversationalist Professor Mordechai was focused on the immediate term scenarios, which he stressed is something most average Jewish Israeli tend to do.
But the Palestinians who keep alive their continuing history of dispossession, dislocation and destruction take a deeper and longer view of their oppression. On this, the renowned Palestinian Liberation theologian Rev. Dr Munther Issac of Bethlehem offered one of the most incisive and grounded observation about Israel and its expansionist trajectory insofar as the Jewish state’s land grab under various pretexts.
Our conversation with him offers the historically grounded view of Israel.
I’ll give him the last word: “Israel is a terrorist entity built on the Palestinian land by ethnic cleansing of the indigenous populations.”
Watch the interview below:
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A Buddhist humanist from Burma (Myanmar), Maung Zarni, nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment, former Visiting Lecturer with Harvard Medical School, specializing in racism and violence in Burma and Sri Lanka, and Non-resident Scholar in Genocide Studies with Documentation Center – Cambodia. Zarni is the co-founder of FORSEA, a grass-roots organization of Southeast Asian human rights defenders, coordinator for Strategic Affairs for Free Rohingya Coalition, and an adviser to the European Centre for the Study of Extremism, Cambridge. Zarni holds a PhD (U Wisconsin at Madison) and a MA (U California), and has held various teaching, research and visiting fellowships at the universities in Asia, Europe and USA including Oxford, LSE, UCL Institute of Education, National-Louis, Malaya, and Brunei. He is the recipient of the “Cultivation of Harmony” award from the Parliament of the World’s Religions (2015). His analyses have appeared in leading newspapers including the New York Times, The Guardian and the Times. Among his academic publications on Rohingya genocide are The Slow-Burning Genocide of Myanmar’s Rohingyas (Pacific Rim Law and Policy Journal), An Evolution of Rohingya Persecution in Myanmar: From Strategic Embrace to Genocide, (Middle East Institute, American University), and Myanmar’s State-directed Persecution of Rohingyas and Other Muslims (Brown World Affairs Journal). He co-authored, with Natalie Brinham, Essays on Myanmar Genocide.
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One Response to “Seventy Percent of Israel’s Cost of Munition and Weapons Used in Gaza Are Paid by the United States”
Dear Professor Zarni
Greetings from Durban South Africa. Trust you are well and relaxed following your international travels and meetings, with meaningful discourse on the state of the lobal belligerence, especially last week when Israel attacked Iran and continues to do so with support from Trump and British Royal Airforce. I have read your present and publications in the past. I commend your global efforts, as a Burmese. I visited Burma in 1974, as my maternal, grandmother’s five brothers were in Rangoon, not as millionaires, but billionaires. Today their families are untraceable.
Your document contains a conversation with Israeli historian Lee Mordechai, discussing the significant support the United States provides to Israel, particularly in terms of military funding. Here are the key points:
US Support for Israel
• Financial Aid: The United States covers approximately 70% of the cost of munitions and weapons used by Israel in Gaza .
• Strategic Alliance: This support is crucial for Israel’s military operations and its ability to sustain prolonged conflicts.
Israeli Perspective
• Military Service: Like many Israelis, Mordechai served in the Israeli Defence Force before pursuing his academic career.
• Genocide Definition: Within Israeli discourse, terms like genocide or holocaust are often reserved for scenarios involving death camps and gas chambers.
Current Situation in Gaza
• Ongoing Conflict: Mordechai highlights the impossibility of Israel waging its current war without American support.
• Future Projections: He predicts that the IDF will not withdraw from Gaza, plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians, and aims to settle Jewish people in Gaza .
Palestinian Perspective
• Historical Context: Palestinians view their oppression through a long-term lens, emphasizing their history of dispossession and destruction.
• Ethnic Cleansing: Palestinian scholars describe Israel as a terrorist entity built on ethnic cleansing and total annihilation of all Palestinians, both in Gaza and the Occupied Territories.
Summary
The document underscores the deep complexities and differing perspectives on the conflict, highlighting the significant role of US support in Israel’s military actions.
May I comment that the pathetic situation has arisen in the Middle East because of the following glaring reasons:
The situation in the Middle East is indeed complex and deeply concerning. A summary of the key points:
Palestinian Genocide which the Western Allies do not accept, by definition, hence nothing can be done.
1. World bodies face significant challenges in addressing the ongoing violence against Palestinians: Political Alliances and Influence: Many powerful countries, including the United States, have strong political and military alliances with Israel, which can influence international responses
2. Geopolitical Interests: Countries may prioritize their geopolitical interests, such as access to resources or regional stability, over humanitarian concerns
3. International Law and Enforcement: While international laws exist to prevent genocide, enforcing these laws is difficult without the cooperation of powerful nations
New War Against Iran by Israel
The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated due to several factors:
1. Nuclear Threat: Israel perceives Iran’s nuclear program as a direct threat to its security, leading to pre-emptive strikes on Iranian facilities
2. Regional Power Struggle: Both countries are vying for influence in the Middle East, leading to proxy conflicts and direct military engagements
3. Recent Escalations: The recent conflict has seen significant casualties and damage on both sides, with ongoing military operations
RAF’s Position
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is currently in a state of heightened readiness but has not yet engaged directly:
1. Contingency Support: The RAF is positioned to provide support if the conflict escalates further or if UK interests are directly threatened
2. Diplomatic Efforts: The UK government is emphasizing de-escalation and is involved in diplomatic efforts to manage the situation
ICJ’s Extension for Israel
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) extended Israel’s response time for several reasons:
1. Procedural Issues: Israel cited procedural and substantive issues with the timing and manner of the case presented by South Africa
2. Complexity of the Case: The complexity and gravity of the accusations require thorough preparation and response
3. Why Does the World Remain Silent About the Génocide ? By Monjed Jadou
Supportive Countries
1. United States: The U.S. has historically been a strong ally of Israel, providing significant military and political support
2. United Kingdom: The UK also supports Israel, emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself while advocating for a two-state solution
Critical Countries
1. China: China has condemned Israel’s actions, particularly the violation of Iran’s sovereignty, and called for de-escalation
2. Turkey and Qatar: Both countries have strongly denounced Israel’s recent escalations, urging restraint and calling for an end to hostilities
3. Pakistan, the only Muslim nation with nuclear facilities, supports Iran, against Israel
Neutral or Mixed Reactions
1. Australia: Australia has expressed alarm over the escalation, calling for restraint and emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy
2. European Union: The EU has a mixed stance, supporting Israel’s right to security while criticizing some of its actions in Gaza and advocating for a peaceful resolution
Regional Reactions
1. Middle Eastern Countries: Many countries in the Middle East, such as Syria and Yemen, do not recognize Israel and have strongly criticized its actions, particularly in Gaza
2. These varied perspectives highlight the complexity of international relations and the challenges in achieving a unified response to the conflicts involving Israel.
I quote a report by Editor in Chief of PNN, Monjed Jadou
Why Does the World Remain Silent About the Génocide ? By Monjed Jadou the Editor-in-Chief of (PNN)
Israel and its far-right racist government continue their systematic slaughter of Palestinians daily, for over 500 days now, without any meaningful international intervention. The world remains largely indifferent, issuing nothing but timid statements that do nothing to protect Palestinians or stop the ongoing massacre. As the bloodshed escalates in the West Bank—following the mass killing and destruction in Gaza—the question remains: why is there no serious action to halt this atrocity?
As Palestinians, we see this silence as nothing but global hypocrisy, a repetition of history, a modern-day Nakba. When Zionist militias—many of which evolved into today’s Israeli leadership—massacred and expelled Palestinians in 1948, the world claimed ignorance. Today, however, Israel’s crimes unfold before the entire world, broadcast live through media outlets. Yet, international inaction persists. Why this silence? Why this paralysis from the international community? Why grant the perpetrators more time to complete their crime? Does this not make the world complicit in the massacre?
For the first time, I write not just as a journalist, but as a Palestinian father who lives in constant fear of the unknown. Every night, I sleep and wake up with a terrifying question haunting every Palestinian parent: what will happen to our innocent children? Will they be killed like the children of Gaza? Will they be slaughtered by settler militias? Will they be hunted down and forced into exile in distant deserts, just as their ancestors were expelled during the Nakba of 1948 by the same extremist groups that carried out massacres like Deir Yassin? These groups are now preparing for new atrocities, aiming to commit what could be the largest mass killings of the modern era.
How can the world remain silent while children are being killed, while thousands of innocent people perish, while homes are demolished, and while entire neighborhoods are reduced to rubble?
Why does the world tolerate Israel’s deliberate starvation, relentless persecution, systematic killings, mass displacement, the fragmentation of Palestinian cities, border closures, military raids, and the daily humiliation of Palestinians?
Where is the so-called civilized Western world? Where is Europe—the very continent that endured wars, experienced the horrors of human rights violations, and witnessed mass displacement? How can Europe stand by in silence while genocide unfolds in Palestine? Has it become so subservient to U.S. policies that it can no longer speak out for justice?
Where are China and Russia, nations that claim to champion the right of people to self-determination? Does the Palestinian people’s suffering not matter because they possess no oil or resources of economic value to these global powers? Have they abandoned Palestine to face the American Israeli war machine alone?
Finally, I won’t even ask about the Arab world, because the answer is already known. Some have chosen normalization, others are racing toward it, while the Arab people themselves remain powerless in the face of this betrayal.
The biggest and final question is for world leaders: is your silence driven by fear of America and its president, a man whose reckless policies have stripped the U.S. of any credibility on human rights, freedom, and democracy? Or is this silence an act of complicity in the slaughter of Palestinians? Does the world truly lack the courage to stand for justice, dignity, and basic human rights?
This is a question directed at the leaders of France, China, Russia, and the nations of Latin America. Why are you silent? Stop the massacre. Stop the killing and forced displacement of the Palestinian people.
I also attach a link to my publication on regulatory international bodies: https://www.transcend.org/tms/2024/04/global-human-rights-institutions-a-veneer-of-peace-propagation-by-toothless-alligators-part-2/
Thank you for accepting my comments
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interactions and debates.
Dear Professor Zarni
Greetings from Durban South Africa. Trust you are well and relaxed following your international travels and meetings, with meaningful discourse on the state of the lobal belligerence, especially last week when Israel attacked Iran and continues to do so with support from Trump and British Royal Airforce. I have read your present and publications in the past. I commend your global efforts, as a Burmese. I visited Burma in 1974, as my maternal, grandmother’s five brothers were in Rangoon, not as millionaires, but billionaires. Today their families are untraceable.
Your document contains a conversation with Israeli historian Lee Mordechai, discussing the significant support the United States provides to Israel, particularly in terms of military funding. Here are the key points:
US Support for Israel
• Financial Aid: The United States covers approximately 70% of the cost of munitions and weapons used by Israel in Gaza .
• Strategic Alliance: This support is crucial for Israel’s military operations and its ability to sustain prolonged conflicts.
Israeli Perspective
• Military Service: Like many Israelis, Mordechai served in the Israeli Defence Force before pursuing his academic career.
• Genocide Definition: Within Israeli discourse, terms like genocide or holocaust are often reserved for scenarios involving death camps and gas chambers.
Current Situation in Gaza
• Ongoing Conflict: Mordechai highlights the impossibility of Israel waging its current war without American support.
• Future Projections: He predicts that the IDF will not withdraw from Gaza, plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians, and aims to settle Jewish people in Gaza .
Palestinian Perspective
• Historical Context: Palestinians view their oppression through a long-term lens, emphasizing their history of dispossession and destruction.
• Ethnic Cleansing: Palestinian scholars describe Israel as a terrorist entity built on ethnic cleansing and total annihilation of all Palestinians, both in Gaza and the Occupied Territories.
Summary
The document underscores the deep complexities and differing perspectives on the conflict, highlighting the significant role of US support in Israel’s military actions.
May I comment that the pathetic situation has arisen in the Middle East because of the following glaring reasons:
The situation in the Middle East is indeed complex and deeply concerning. A summary of the key points:
Palestinian Genocide which the Western Allies do not accept, by definition, hence nothing can be done.
1. World bodies face significant challenges in addressing the ongoing violence against Palestinians: Political Alliances and Influence: Many powerful countries, including the United States, have strong political and military alliances with Israel, which can influence international responses
2. Geopolitical Interests: Countries may prioritize their geopolitical interests, such as access to resources or regional stability, over humanitarian concerns
3. International Law and Enforcement: While international laws exist to prevent genocide, enforcing these laws is difficult without the cooperation of powerful nations
New War Against Iran by Israel
The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated due to several factors:
1. Nuclear Threat: Israel perceives Iran’s nuclear program as a direct threat to its security, leading to pre-emptive strikes on Iranian facilities
2. Regional Power Struggle: Both countries are vying for influence in the Middle East, leading to proxy conflicts and direct military engagements
3. Recent Escalations: The recent conflict has seen significant casualties and damage on both sides, with ongoing military operations
RAF’s Position
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is currently in a state of heightened readiness but has not yet engaged directly:
1. Contingency Support: The RAF is positioned to provide support if the conflict escalates further or if UK interests are directly threatened
2. Diplomatic Efforts: The UK government is emphasizing de-escalation and is involved in diplomatic efforts to manage the situation
ICJ’s Extension for Israel
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) extended Israel’s response time for several reasons:
1. Procedural Issues: Israel cited procedural and substantive issues with the timing and manner of the case presented by South Africa
2. Complexity of the Case: The complexity and gravity of the accusations require thorough preparation and response
3. Why Does the World Remain Silent About the Génocide ? By Monjed Jadou
Supportive Countries
1. United States: The U.S. has historically been a strong ally of Israel, providing significant military and political support
2. United Kingdom: The UK also supports Israel, emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself while advocating for a two-state solution
Critical Countries
1. China: China has condemned Israel’s actions, particularly the violation of Iran’s sovereignty, and called for de-escalation
2. Turkey and Qatar: Both countries have strongly denounced Israel’s recent escalations, urging restraint and calling for an end to hostilities
3. Pakistan, the only Muslim nation with nuclear facilities, supports Iran, against Israel
Neutral or Mixed Reactions
1. Australia: Australia has expressed alarm over the escalation, calling for restraint and emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy
2. European Union: The EU has a mixed stance, supporting Israel’s right to security while criticizing some of its actions in Gaza and advocating for a peaceful resolution
Regional Reactions
1. Middle Eastern Countries: Many countries in the Middle East, such as Syria and Yemen, do not recognize Israel and have strongly criticized its actions, particularly in Gaza
2. These varied perspectives highlight the complexity of international relations and the challenges in achieving a unified response to the conflicts involving Israel.
I quote a report by Editor in Chief of PNN, Monjed Jadou
Why Does the World Remain Silent About the Génocide ? By Monjed Jadou the Editor-in-Chief of (PNN)
Israel and its far-right racist government continue their systematic slaughter of Palestinians daily, for over 500 days now, without any meaningful international intervention. The world remains largely indifferent, issuing nothing but timid statements that do nothing to protect Palestinians or stop the ongoing massacre. As the bloodshed escalates in the West Bank—following the mass killing and destruction in Gaza—the question remains: why is there no serious action to halt this atrocity?
As Palestinians, we see this silence as nothing but global hypocrisy, a repetition of history, a modern-day Nakba. When Zionist militias—many of which evolved into today’s Israeli leadership—massacred and expelled Palestinians in 1948, the world claimed ignorance. Today, however, Israel’s crimes unfold before the entire world, broadcast live through media outlets. Yet, international inaction persists. Why this silence? Why this paralysis from the international community? Why grant the perpetrators more time to complete their crime? Does this not make the world complicit in the massacre?
For the first time, I write not just as a journalist, but as a Palestinian father who lives in constant fear of the unknown. Every night, I sleep and wake up with a terrifying question haunting every Palestinian parent: what will happen to our innocent children? Will they be killed like the children of Gaza? Will they be slaughtered by settler militias? Will they be hunted down and forced into exile in distant deserts, just as their ancestors were expelled during the Nakba of 1948 by the same extremist groups that carried out massacres like Deir Yassin? These groups are now preparing for new atrocities, aiming to commit what could be the largest mass killings of the modern era.
How can the world remain silent while children are being killed, while thousands of innocent people perish, while homes are demolished, and while entire neighborhoods are reduced to rubble?
Why does the world tolerate Israel’s deliberate starvation, relentless persecution, systematic killings, mass displacement, the fragmentation of Palestinian cities, border closures, military raids, and the daily humiliation of Palestinians?
Where is the so-called civilized Western world? Where is Europe—the very continent that endured wars, experienced the horrors of human rights violations, and witnessed mass displacement? How can Europe stand by in silence while genocide unfolds in Palestine? Has it become so subservient to U.S. policies that it can no longer speak out for justice?
Where are China and Russia, nations that claim to champion the right of people to self-determination? Does the Palestinian people’s suffering not matter because they possess no oil or resources of economic value to these global powers? Have they abandoned Palestine to face the American Israeli war machine alone?
Finally, I won’t even ask about the Arab world, because the answer is already known. Some have chosen normalization, others are racing toward it, while the Arab people themselves remain powerless in the face of this betrayal.
The biggest and final question is for world leaders: is your silence driven by fear of America and its president, a man whose reckless policies have stripped the U.S. of any credibility on human rights, freedom, and democracy? Or is this silence an act of complicity in the slaughter of Palestinians? Does the world truly lack the courage to stand for justice, dignity, and basic human rights?
This is a question directed at the leaders of France, China, Russia, and the nations of Latin America. Why are you silent? Stop the massacre. Stop the killing and forced displacement of the Palestinian people.
I also attach a link to my publication on regulatory international bodies:
https://www.transcend.org/tms/2024/04/global-human-rights-institutions-a-veneer-of-peace-propagation-by-toothless-alligators-part-2/
Thank you for accepting my comments
Hoosen Vawda
Global: +27 82 291 4546
e-mail: vawda@ukzn.ac.za