Reclaiming the Palestinian Narrative
Will the Palestinians be written out of history? There is a serious danger that this may happen, writes Al-Shabaka Policy Advisor Jamil Hilal, who identifies five major misrepresentations of Palestinian history, geography and identity in the dominant discourse. He also discusses how Palestinians and their supporters must take hold of the way their story is told and reclaim their narrative.
Will the New Palestinians End Security Coordination?
Most Palestinians saw Hamas’ steadfastness and ability to hit back during Israel’s November attack as a victory. But will they put it to good use, asks Al-Shabaka Policy Advisor Haidar Eid, by ending Palestinian security cooperation with Israel – an opportunity missed after Israel’s 2008-09 operation? He argues that no real reconciliation amongst Palestinian factions is possible in the shadow of such collaboration.
Reframing Palestinian Return: A New Al-Shabaka Policy Circle
The Mahmoud Abbas who heads to the United Nations for non-member state status expressed willingness to give up his right of return. Not so the other Palestinian millions. Instead, as Al-Shabaka Policy Members Ahmad Barclay and Dena Qaddumi argue, the region’s upsurge in grassroots political movements offers an opening to view Palestinian return through the lens of decolonization and to go beyond the zero-sum logic of competing ethnic nationalisms. They will be launching Al-Shabaka’s first Policy Circle to develop this approach.
Gaza Fallout Weakens Israel, Strengthens Nationalists
By pursuing military victory at any cost in the short term, Israel sets itself up for political failure in the longer-term, argues Al-Shabaka Director Nadia Hijab. In this compelling analysis, she discusses how Israel’s operation in Gaza has further eroded the political gains it secured from the Camp David and Oslo accords and has boxed in the Fatah-led Palestine Liberation Organization, among other repercussions for Israel’s ability to impose its will on the region.
Modest but Powerful Activism for Palestinian-Origin Jordanian Rights
Palestinian-origin Jordanians are a large and increasingly marginalized community in Jordan, whose rights to education, nationality, and political participation have been eroded. Oraib Rantawi and Oroub el-Abed discuss initiatives by Palestinian-origin Jordanians for equal rights – and responsibilities – in the Kingdom, as part of a growing movement for citizens’ rights energized by the Arab uprisings.
What’s Really Going On at Rafah?
Egypt now has a government more sympathetic to Hamas, the de facto government in the Gaza Strip. But Egyptian policy towards the Rafah Crossing still largely follows the parameters established by Israel for Palestinian passage — and even when the Crossing is “open” thousands of Palestinians are not allowed through. Al-Shabaka Policy Advisor Laila El-Haddad provides a concise overview of how the Crossing has been managed and its impact on the Palestinian residents of Gaza.
Palestinians on the Road to Damascus
In this evocative and moving piece, Al-Shabaka Policy Member Ahmad Diab provides a lived description of what it is like to be a Palestinian in Syria: The permanent sense of a temporary existence, the impact of dictatorship on Palestinian-Syrian relations as well as on Palestinian political development, and the diverse roles Palestinians are playing – and the price they are paying – in the current revolution.
Refugees: Israeli Apartheid’s Unseen Dimension
Do Israeli policies and practices toward Palestinian refugees constitute apartheid? Al-Shabaka Policy Member Hazem Jamjoum argues not only that it does, but that it is the cornerstone of what constitutes a system of apartheid.
Democratizing the PLO: Five Questions
There are lively, ongoing discussions amongst Palestinians about democratic representation to which Al-Shabaka policy advisors continue to contribute. In his commentary on democratizing the PLO Toufic Haddad poses some questions arising out of the present political scene and the implications for democratic elections.
