Grounding as a Weapon: The Erasure of Memory in Gaza and Palestine

The term 'grounding' has taken on a new and troubling meaning in the context of Israel's actions in Gaza and the broader Palestinian narrative. It refers to the deliberate destruction of physical evidence that could confirm or challenge historical claims. This concept, explored by forensic architecture experts, highlights how state violence can be used not just to destroy but also to erase traces of past existence, creating a landscape devoid of memory.

In the context of Israel's genocide and the broader Palestinian narrative, 'grounding' is a process that goes beyond physical destruction. It involves the systematic erasure of all traces that might suggest the presence of a pre-existing society or population. This includes not just buildings and infrastructure but also natural features like cemeteries, trees, and even the soil itself. The goal is to create an environment where there is no place to return to, no evidence of what once was.

The concept of 'grounding' is particularly evident in the destruction of Gaza since 2023. Forensic architecture experts have observed a pattern of aerial warfare that results in the complete obliteration of urban areas. This is not just about the physical destruction of buildings and roads but also the deliberate removal of all traces of what was there before. The weight of this destruction is produced by depth bombs exploding 20 meters under the city, creating huge craters into which parts of the city collapse and are then finished off by bulldozers that stab the front loader into the ground, flipping everything from fields to orchards to neighborhoods into a total desertification.

This process of 'grounding' is not unique to Gaza. It has been observed in other contexts where state violence has been used to erase traces of past existence. For example, in the case of the Nakba, which refers to the 1948 displacement of Palestinians from their homes and villages, there was a similar effort to destroy all evidence of what had been there before. The goal was to prevent the return of those who had been displaced, creating an entirely new landscape that bore no resemblance to the one that existed prior.

The implications of this 'grounding' are profound. It is not just about the physical destruction of a place but also the erasure of memory and identity. When a city is reduced to a barren wasteland with no traces of what was there before, it becomes impossible for anyone to claim any part of it as their own. This is a form of violence that goes beyond the immediate destruction of buildings and infrastructure; it is a long-term effort to erase the very existence of a people.

The process of 'grounding' is also evident in the way that Israel has treated the land since 1948. The act of turning Palestine into Israel is not just about creating a new nation but also about erasing whatever existed there before. This includes the society, the culture, and all the traces that it has left behind. The result is a landscape that is completely alien to those who were once there, with no place to return to and no evidence of what was once there.

The legal implications of this 'grounding' are also significant. In South Africa, forensic architecture experts have been working with the legal team in the historical genocide case they brought in. The concept of 'traces for return to traces' is central to this effort. It is about finding evidence that can allow Palestinians to hold on to something and claim their areas. This is a crucial part of any legal argument, as it provides tangible proof of what has been lost.

The process of 'grounding' is not just about the physical destruction of a place but also about the psychological impact on those who have been displaced. When a city is reduced to a barren wasteland with no traces of what was there before, it becomes impossible for anyone to claim any part of it as their own. This is a form of violence that goes beyond the immediate destruction of buildings and infrastructure; it is a long-term effort to erase the very existence of a people.

The implications of this 'grounding' are profound. It is not just about the physical destruction of a place but also the erasure of memory and identity. When a city is reduced to a barren wasteland with no traces of what was there before, it becomes impossible for anyone to claim any part of it as their own. This is a form of violence that goes beyond the immediate destruction of buildings and infrastructure; it is a long-term effort to erase the very existence of a people.

The process of 'grounding' is also evident in the way that Israel has treated the land since 1948. The act of turning Palestine into Israel is not just about creating a new nation but also about erasing whatever existed there before. This includes the society, the culture, and all the traces that it has left behind. The result is a landscape that is completely alien to those who were once there, with no place to return to and no evidence of what was once there.

The legal implications of this 'grounding' are also significant. In South Africa, forensic architecture experts have been working with the legal team in the historical genocide case they brought in. The concept of 'traces for return to traces' is central to this effort. It is about finding evidence that can allow Palestinians to hold on to something and claim their areas. This is a crucial part of any legal argument, as it provides tangible proof of what has been lost.

The process of 'grounding' is not just about the physical destruction of a place but also about the psychological impact on those who have been displaced. When a city is reduced to a barren wasteland with no traces of what was there before, it becomes impossible for anyone to claim any part of it as their own. This is a form of violence that goes beyond the immediate destruction of buildings and infrastructure; it is a long-term effort to erase the very existence of a people.

Source notes — Channel: Sam Seder. Video: Israel's genocide in Gaza with Forensic Architecture founder. Published: Unavailable. Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Y1Bz25_EA. Evidence timestamps: 00:00:00, 00:00:04, 00:00:08, 00:00:14, 00:00:22, 00:00:27, 00:00:30, 00:00:32. Uncertain: speakers are not independently identified; statements in a channel recording are not necessarily the channel owner’s opinions.