Samenvatting

In this essay the author points out that the idealization of the victim has many counterproductive effects. Believing in victimhood and embracing victim status can trigger a dynamic of ‘necessary’ self-defense and legitimization of violence. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a striking example of this. Israel sees itself as a victim nation par excellence and has developed a defensive mentality that conjures up threats everywhere. We might ask ourselves how we can shake off the dichotomous image of the good victim and the evil perpetrator. We should resist the temptation to idealize victimhood and reassess the victim’s responsible role in public life.