When pro-Palestinian and Hamas supporters say “Resistance Is Justified When People Are Occupied,” they assert that violent actions, including terrorism, against Israel are legitimate. This slogan is seen as a direct call for the complete destruction of the state of Israel and supports violent actions such as the October 7, 2023 massacre.
On October 7, 2023, thousands of Hamas militants and Palestinian civilians, particularly teenagers and young adults aged 8-30, breached the fence separating Gaza’s terror bases from Israeli civilian areas. They attacked kibbutzim near the border, an area known in Israel as the Gaza Envelope. This tragic event is considered a massacre, highlighting the extreme violence and brutality involved.
Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States and the European Union, uses the justification of “resistance” for their acts of terrorism, which include rocket attacks and other violent actions against Israel. They claim their resistance is a legitimate response to what they perceive as Israeli occupation and oppression of Palestinians.
While the existence of a recognized state of Palestine is a subject of international debate, many assert that Palestine has never existed as a sovereign state. From this perspective, the term “Palestinians” refers to people living in the region known historically as Palestine, despite the absence of a formal state. Israel, therefore, is seen by many as defending its sovereign territory against groups that seek its destruction. The chant “Resistance Is Justified When People Are Occupied” by pro-Palestinian groups and Hamas supporters is therefore seen as advocating for the eradication of Israel and endorsing violent acts such as those seen in the October 7, 2023 massacre.
