Popular Resistance in Palestine:“One hand can’t clap”

Marwan Darweish Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations

Coventry UniversityMarwan.Darweish@coventry.ac.uk

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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