Arabs Quote by Rick Atkinson
““We became ruthless with the Arab,” a 1st Division soldier wrote. “If we found them where they were not to be, they were open game, much as rabbits in the States during hunting season.” Another soldier explained: “Here Arabs live all over. Some we shoot on sight, some we search, and some we make a deal with to buy eggs and chickens.” Soldiers boasted of using natives for marksmanship practice, daring one another to shoot an Arab coming over a hill like a target in an arcade. Others fired at camels to see the riders bucked off, or shot at the feet of Arab children “to watch them dance in fear,” as one 34th Division soldier recounted. At””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Good War: An Oral History of World War II, 1984
Soldiers dehumanized Arab civilians, treating them as targets and objects for cruelty, reflecting wartime brutality and racism.
In simple terms: Soldiers treated Arabs as enemies and objects.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge the dehumanizing effects of war.
Themes
war
racism
dehumanization
Mood
somber
critical
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- human rights advocacy
- military training
Key Concepts
military ethics
colonialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral responsibilities do soldiers have?
- How can societies prevent dehumanization?
A Different Perspective
War narratives can glorify violence.
![“For many years the stakes were clear. There were the Arabs attacking us and us defending ourselves, so basically there were no real problems [between the United States and Israel]. Now there are many small cells, and each of them can destroy on their own. Some can arrive at New York and kill…” quote by Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/92a/shimon-peres-1970_arabs_for-many-years-the-stakes-were-clear-the_45612.jpg)
