Israel vs. Iran: Who Are the Terrorists and Who Are the Freedom Fighters?

IN FOCUS, 4 May 2026

Roger Kotila, Ph.D. | Democratic World Federalists News – TRANSCEND Media Service

29 Apr 2026 – I asked myself a simple question: Who is trying to protect the Palestinians whose lands and homes are being stolen and destroyed by means of Israeli overwhelming military force? Since the Nakba catastrophe in 1948, in year after year it is Israel who is the primary guilty party using violent force to exterminate the Palestinians while the Palestinians try to fight back.

WHO ARE THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS? Beside Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis, who else fights for the Palestinians’ right to their homes, land, life and freedom? (See AI’s response to my question via Co-pilot at the end of this article.)

Israel is guilty of genocide in Gaza, yet is using the same crushing blows to take over the West Bank, while also attacking Lebanon and Iran. (The US government is helping in this international criminal undertaking with financing, military intelligence and weaponry.)

From the Palestinian victims’ viewpoint I keep seeing Israel as a terrorist, rogue state with the Israel Defense Force (IDF) as its terrorist army along with the Mossad as its terrorist gestapo, — all supported generously by USA politicians (bought by AIPAC) and fundamentalist American Christians yearning for Armageddon.

So I ask myself what my friends and I would do if outsiders came and stole our lands, forced us out of our homes, and took over our neighborhood just like the Israeli settlers are doing violently in the West Bank. (Just like our ancestors did with the American Indians.)

My answer, if my neighborhood was invaded, is that there is a likelihood that we would fight back, just like the Palestinian fighters Hamas and Hezbollah do. While Israel and western Media call them “terrorists”, my hunch is that Palestinians consider them to be heroic “freedom fighters.”

So why does the mainstream media routinely treat Israel like it is the “good guy,” and treat Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah as the bad guys? It appears to be the case that the reason can be found in

powerful Zionist forces who “own” the US government, control much of American media, and are in control of much of Big Money including many international banks and corporations.

How is this control accomplished? Through a wealthy and cunning Israeli lobby able to buy politicians (eg, via AIPAC), or blackmail them via the Epstein/Maxwell Mossad honey pot sex operation — which could explain why Donald Trump went to war against Iran, likely ordered to do so by his Israeli handlers.

I ASKED AI COPILOT FOR SOME NAMES OF THOSE SUPPORTING PALESTINE. BELOW IS COPILOT’S ANSWER:  ( Copilot for an unknown reason did not list IRAN or Yemen’s Houtis in the primary list of supporters.)

“Roger, here’s the clearest, structured picture of who actually acts — in different ways — to defend, support, or advocate for Palestinians, beyond the armed groups you named. I’ll keep this focused on state actors, armed actors, and non‑military defenders, because ‘freedom fighters’ can mean very different things depending on whether we’re talking about military force, diplomacy, or legal action.”

1. Armed or quasi‑armed actors claiming to defend Palestinians

These groups frame themselves as protectors of Gaza or Palestine, though their roles, legitimacy, and international recognition vary widely.

Lebanese Hezbollah

• The most militarily significant actor besides Iran‑aligned groups.
• Has launched rockets, drones, and cross‑border attacks on Israel since October 2023.
• Publicly states its actions are to “support Gaza” and “defend Palestinians.”

Iraqi militias (Popular Mobilization Forces factions)

• Groups like Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al‑Nujaba, and others have attacked U.S. and Israeli‑linked targets.
• They justify these actions as part of a “regional resistance front” supporting Gaza.

Syrian government–aligned militias

• Limited direct engagement, but they allow Iranian and Hezbollah operations from Syrian territory.
• They frame this as part of a broader “resistance axis.”

Pakistan’s non‑state Islamist groups

• No state involvement, but some militant groups publicly declare solidarity with Palestinians.
• No verified direct military involvement in Gaza.

Important note: None of these groups have the capacity to physically defend Gaza in a direct military sense because Israel controls the airspace, sea, and perimeter, and Egypt blocks armed entry from its side.

2. States that politically or diplomatically defend Palestinians

These countries do not fight militarily but are among the strongest political, legal, and diplomatic defenders of Palestinian rights.

South Africa

• The most prominent state actor defending Palestinians through international law.
• Filed the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
• Continues to submit evidence and push for enforcement of provisional measures.

Bolivia

• Cut diplomatic ties with Israel.
• Strongly advocates for Palestinian rights in the UN system.

Brazil

• As a major Global South power, has repeatedly condemned Israeli actions and pushed for ceasefire resolutions.

Turkey

• Strong rhetorical defender of Palestinians.
• Provides humanitarian aid.
• Has not engaged militarily.

Qatar

• Hosts Hamas political leadership.
• Acts as the main mediator for ceasefires and hostage‑prisoner exchanges.
• Provides major financial support to Gaza.

Algeria

• Vocal in the UN Security Council.
• Strong supporter of Palestinian statehood.

Malaysia and Indonesia

• Consistent diplomatic defenders of Palestinian rights.
• Provide humanitarian aid and push for international accountability.

3. International organizations and legal bodies

These are not “fighters,” but they are among the most effective defenders of Palestinian rights in practice.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

• Issued provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocidal acts.
• Continues to hear South Africa’s case.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

• Has open investigations into alleged war crimes by both Israeli officials and Palestinian armed groups.
• Considering arrest warrants.

UNRWA

• Provides essential services, education, and humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
• Israel accuses it of bias; most countries continue to support it.

UN General Assembly

• Consistently votes for ceasefires, humanitarian access, and Palestinian self‑determination.

4. Global civil society movements

These are not armed, but they are among the most active defenders of Palestinian rights worldwide.

Human rights organizations

• Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, B’Tselem, Al‑Haq, Defense for Children International–Palestine
• Document violations, provide evidence to courts, and advocate for accountability.

International solidarity movements

• Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS)
• Student movements, labor unions, and professional associations worldwide.

Jewish anti‑occupation groups

• Jewish Voice for Peace
• IfNotNow
• Breaking the Silence (Israeli veterans)
• These groups challenge Israeli policies from within Jewish and Israeli communities.

5. Arab publics (but not their governments)

In many Arab countries, public opinion strongly supports Palestinians, even when governments maintain quiet relations with Israel. Examples: Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Kuwait.

Governments often balance public sentiment with geopolitical constraints.

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[Responsibility for the above analysis is solely that of the author, Dr. Kotila, and may or may be the viewpoint of the Provisional World Parliament or Presidium of which I am a member.]

Roger Kotila, Ph.D. is a peace activist and a psychologist (ret.) with many years of clinical experience with the California Dept. of Corrections doing psychiatric diagnosis and treatment with inmates. President of Democratic World Federalists he is co-editor of DWF NEWS, and editor of Earth Federation News & Views. He supports a “new UN” under the Earth Constitution. www.earthfederation.info Email: earthstarradio@aol.com

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 4 May 2026.

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