Culture clash arguments mirror colonial terra nullius doctrine against Palestinians

Evidence

Similar in structure to claims of terra nullius in British colonial law, where the land belonged to Europeans because its original inhabitants were simply not modern enough, Chesler’s employment of culture clash provides the foundation for her central argument. To attack Israel, and the twin towers, is to mount ‘a direct hit on democracy, modernity, religious pluralism, and women’s rights.’ Stuck in pre-modernity, Palestinians can have no claim to Palestine. If America supports Israel, it is because Jews and Americans share similar cultural values; both represent the force of modernity and both must confront the menace of Islam. — Sherene Razack, Casting Out, 227

Categorization

• DEFINE: Sharply encapsulates how terra nullius logic is redeployed as ‘culture clash’ in pro-Israel rhetoric.