popular resistance in palestine: “one hand can’t clap” marwan darweish centre for trust, peace...
TRANSCRIPT
Popular Resistance in Palestine:“One hand can’t clap”
Marwan Darweish Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations
Coventry [email protected]
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Israel: 415 x 16-122 kms
West Bank: 120 x 32 kms.
Gaza Strip: 40 x 4 kms.
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Images: Construction of wall
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Images of wall
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Images of wall
Understanding of NVR• Dependent power
• Identifying and undermining ‘pillars’ of support
• Raising the costs of regime policies
• Collective civilian resistance against occupation
Pre-requisites for popular resistance
• Strong sense of solidarity throughout the subject population; no vertical and horizontal divisions, strong networks of CBOs
• Organisational resilience; unified leadership, clear strategy, coordinated movement, experienced practitioners, weak movement advocating violence, achievable goals.
• External support from state and non state actors; exercise leverage over occupying power, resources
Long history of NV
• Six month strike in 1936• Palestinians inside Israel: struggle to end
military rule 1948-66• First Intifada 1987
Three types of NVR
• Response to the construction of the Wall• Counter the establishment of settlements• Resilience to stay in the land (Area C)
Activities
Defence of people as they pursue their daily lives: Accompaniment, protection, documentation, advocacy and legal
Defence of land and property: Demonstrations, reclaim land, confrontation
Enhance the resilience of communities: Stay, meet basic needs
Offensive activities to make cost high for Israel: occupy, block, prevent, destroy equipment and boycott goods
Challenges• Political fracture....crisis of leadership and
trust• Political fracture....different networks• Lack of strategy and vision to inform activists• Lack of coordination: two activities in Bilien
and Hebron• Cynicism about motivation and competition• Created sense of resignation...whatever we do
and the world will ignore us
Lack of hope in populer resistanceNGO-isation of civil society org Sanctions and intimidation by IsraelInability to win support from Israeli societySigns of hope?Emergence of international solidarity movement with the Pal struggle DBS