A New Path of Palestinian Resistance

Despite the continuing horrors visited upon Palestinians, their deep political divide, relentless Israeli settlement expansion and more, there are glimmers of hope in the Palestinian skies. What I am referring to here, are not external developments like ongoing U.S.-led efforts to rekindle Israeli-Palestinian peace talks or growing European impatience with Israeli occupation policies. As important as these may be, more significant are the developments occurring within Palestinian society, all of which, if combined and strengthened, point in the direction of empowerment and self-liberating resistance.

Specifically, I am speaking about the recently completed Fatah Conference, the two-year plan, "Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State," announced by interim Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, and the weekly demonstrations at the wall near the village of Bilin.

While critics point to its flaws, the fact that the Fatah conference was organized, at all, on the land of Palestine, is significant. It is true that it was held under occupation, but the reality is that Fatah used the space created by recent events and international pressure to organize, in spite of the occupation, and to elect a new leadership committed to ending the occupation. The sessions of the conference were heated and deliberative and, while not perfect, they were democratic. As such, its very occurrence was an act of resistance, defying a generation-long effort by the occupation to deny Palestinians their national identity and their right to organize as an independent people.

The two year plan, laid out by Prime Minister Fayyad, must also be viewed, through this same lens, as an act of resistance. As Fayyad correctly noted, Palestinians have the capacity and the need, despite the persistence of a hostile occupation, to build independent institutions, the creation of which are prerequisites of statehood. Creating accountable and transparent structures that educate the young, provide security and needed social services, foster economic growth, and organize daily life, are, in themselves, acts of resistance. They empower and self-liberate Palestinians, while denying the occupiers the control they have sought to impose.

Complementing these efforts are the weekly demonstrations at Bilin. By organizing non-violent resistance against the wall, the groups involved provide a clear example of the power of popular mobilization. That these efforts have won support is important, but they must be further strengthened, and adopted by a broad spectrum of Palestinian society, including Fatah, enabling them to become a mass expression of resistance. This will not only enhance empowerment, it will also provide needed leverage and support to the Palestinian Authority's negotiating posture.

What is distressing, of course, is that those who claim to be the "standard bearers of true resistance" have stepped up their criticism of these efforts, accusing them of abandoning Palestinian rights. Their criticisms are wrong, based, as they are, on a distorted understanding of resistance. These critics have, in fact, made a fetish of violence and, therefore, can only see resistance through the distorted lens of the application of violence. But resistance means much more than bombs and rockets, and, in fact, often times violence can be antithetical to true resistance.

In its proper sense, resistance is the strategic application of tactics, designed to counter oppression, progressively leading to liberation. As a strategy that utilizes tactics, resistance assesses the effectiveness of tactics that are available. Those that have failed, strengthening the hold of oppression, are rejected, while those that empower people, moving them forward toward liberation, are embraced and developed. Tactics are never ends in themselves. If they do not serve the strategic goal of liberation, they are cast off as counter-productive.

That is why I have long argued that the path of violent resistance leads to a dead end, while the path of non-violent resistance through direct action, institution building, and the development of popular political organization provide a promising alternative. It is important to keep in mind these are tactics, and are not sufficient, in themselves, nor are they ends in themselves. To bear fruit, they must be strengthened, combined, and used in tandem as part of a broader strategy, whose end is to establish an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as its capital, and a just and comprehensive resolution of the issue of refugees.

One other critical element, internal to Palestinian society, must also be considered here, and that is the deep fissure that has divided the West Bank and Gaza into hostile camps. Reconciliation is an absolute necessity, since no real progress toward statehood can be made as long as the Palestinian house is divided. But, for reconciliation to occur, whether through mediation efforts still underway in Cairo, or otherwise, the leadership of Hamas must understand the disaster that its failed approach to resistance has wrought. Israel can rightly be condemned for its barbaric assaults and its inhumane blockade of Gaza (as well as its acquisitive, humiliating and deadly policies in the West Bank and Jerusalem). But Hamas refuses to recognize not only the futility, but outright stupidity, and pathological destructiveness, of its ways. To paraphrase, my friend, the late Twefiq Zayyad, "you may claim the right to armed struggle, but when you consistently use it so badly, you forfeit that right". Given recent, and not so recent, history, Zayyad's words ring true.

The time has, therefore, come to recognize that a new path forward must be found. If it is not, than no matter what external players do and don't do, the Palestinian reality will not appreciably change.

Comments

[myopinion2]

legitimate security interests will "not "be jeopardized.

Sorry for the typo

[myopinion2]

The process of building the structure of a state that has transparency abd accountability, including a professional security force which can impose law and order and prevent terrorist activity, is not resistance. It is the necessary and welcome development of institutions the existence of which can ans should persuade Israelis that the Palestinians are serious about peace and that Israel's legitimate security interests will be jeopardized by the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

[misaacm]

I'll believe Palestinian non-violent resistance when I see it. I'll believe Palestinian nation building when I see it. I'll believe Palestinians taking responsibility for their own lives when I see it.

I hope that Zogby is right. Count me as skeptical.

[nkhogan]

Excellent article. Thank you for reporting this. From my experience there doing interviews with Israeli and Palestinian groups engaged in nonviolent resistance against the Israeli Occupation, what he says is true.

To ignore or brush aside these fragile but strong rays of hope and constructive engagement, is to perpetuate the conflict. There are partners for peace despite claims to the contrary.

[jordanispalestine]

All sounds just peachy..until you realize almost no Arab nations will make a full-throated financial commitment to the Arabs now known as Palestinians..and they never have!!

[DC]

A red herring argument that gets repeated over and over and over. This claim makes no sense. What, for example, would you want another nation to do? Invade Israel to "save" the Palestinians. Surely not!

Send more money? There are already substantial charities, foundations, etc. But the activities cannot not solve the source of the suffering.

Please explain exactly what another nation should and could do?

What you really mean is that they should aid in the dislocation and Diaspora of Palestinians, take them in and make Israel free of non Jewish Arabs.

[NANANACHMAN]

Why does Gaza NOT export tomatoes to Europe anymore?????????

[mommamia526]

Grameen Bank has established in Saudi Arabia, in the U.S., and if not yet in Lebanon, Syria, the PA territories, Gaza, Egypt or Israel, Palestinians could initiate efforts to make that happen. Grameen bank gives microloans to start small businesses. Such businesses can even be done by women, who can bake, make crafts and other items and sell them. No big set up is needed for a small homebusiness, and iphones and other new devices can be used, rather than landlines. IF Palestinians decide that they have enough of agitating, and see that PEACE lies within themselves, as does wealth and wellbeing, they can get started, and use their days productively. When they do that and make progress, Israelis will want to do business with them and buy their products. Netanyahu has offered a plan, and Palestinians can take that plan and add their own efforts to that. If Palestinians make excellent products, everyone will want to do business with them. We can study nonviolence, and violence all day long, and accuse each other year in year out, but it changes nothing. Blowing oneself up, and buses full of children up, flying airplanes into buildings, is rather senseless. It is large scale murder, does not engender appreciation, and makes not one iota of a difference in one's poor status in life. THAT takes personal positive action. It is time for common sense now.

[mommamia526]

This article by Zogby is pretty good. There is a lot of comment on this thread, with some of the usual characters, but I can not see how their comment or *ideas* contribute to the goal of changing the situation in the ME, OR the lives of the *poor Palestinians*. Peace is, I have stated this elsewhwere, a state of mind. No one can donate Peace, to a person, or to a group of persons, or even to a nation. What happened in the past can not be corrected, or done over. In addition, many of the socalled Palestinians did not exist, nor where they inhabitants of *Palestine*. Not even the British Mandate. Just recently a whole new *crop* of *Palestinians* has been added from Iraq. All these people need first to have a life, an education, employment, and PEACE. To obtain PEACE they should live Peace, be PEACE, walk in PEACE, and stop labelling others as less than human beings and/or not wanting PEACE. Our tax dollars, nor any one else's donations, will make the Palestinians content and peaceful. As long as they keep telling themselves and the world, that others owe them something, that they have been shortchanged, and someone should give them PEACE and a life on a silver platter, while they continue to agitate for more, they will have ...nothing.

[jordanispalestine]

They will have nothing because they will give up nothing..but false promises...for peace!

[NANANACHMAN]

Peace for Peace: Not Peace for Land......­..........­...UN Resolution 242

[eileenflemingWAWA]

On The Long Winding Way to My Interview with Members of the Underground Fatah Resistance Movement on July 23, 2007 my plan was to finally see the Jenin refugee camp, home for nearly 20,000 Palestinians who share one square kilometer of land and meet Krozow, number two leader of El Katib; the underground resistance movement within the Fatah party.

My guide-a priest tells me, “No one is born a killer and violence only makes more violence. The stupidest thing Palestinians did was pick up weapons. The second stupidest thing they did was target innocent people."

We traveled past the five years young American Arab University where medical and law students from Israel and Palestine study together. The priest informs me, “We are suffering now. The Israelis denied to renew the visas for the American teachers because they do not like them opening America’s eyes. The teachers tell all about the suffering, hunger and anger of the occupied.”

The Rest:

http://www.wearewideawake.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=589&Itemid=169

[Fireslayer]

Non-violence is the only path to peace.

Both sides should heed this injunction.

Apologists for violence only keep the cycles spinning.

[eileenflemingWAWA]

Good one Fireslayer!

You speak the same message as Vanunu-the Whistle blower of Israel's WMD Program who told me in 2005:

“The only way to peace is peace; the only way is nonviolence.

"The only answer to Israeli nuclear weapons, their aggression, occupation and oppression, and the wall and refugee camps is to answer them with truth and a peaceful voice. When I became the spy for the world, I did it all for the people of the world. If governments do not report the truth, and if the media does not report the truth, then all we can do is follow our consciences. Daniel Ellsberg did, the woman from Enron did, and I did.

"The United States needs to wake up and see the truth that Israel is not a democracy, unless you are a Jew. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where America can right now find WMDs. America can also find where basic human rights have been denied Christians: right here in Israel.”

http://www.wearewideawake.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=940&Itemid=201

[Lutfi]

Wishing all the Muslim in the United State and through out the world Eid Mubarak, and wishing our cousins the Jewish people also in the US and the world a happy Rosh Hashana , and the Yom Kippur, and maybe we can take the time of spiritual reflection and prayer and reading the holy scripture of the Holy Koran,and the Holy Torah , may peace and mutual respect will finally arrive to the children of Profit Abraham , Salamat, Shalom, and Peace.

[MarcusT]

Excellent-more religion.

[eileenflemingWAWA]

Religion has been used for eons to DIVIDE us!

What is needed is Spirituality- that which connects us to the divine within our self, all others and the transcendent.

It is also religiosity that is holding up evolutuion!

"All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evide­nt."-Arthu­r Schopenhauer

http://www.wearewideawake.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=825&Itemid=195

[nkhogan]

Co-sign. Lovely post.

Religion can be a resource for peace as well as violence.

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all have principles of peace and love as underlying moral values and principles. It is human beings that distort the message of these religions for their own political gain.

Those who are genuinely spiritual love their neighbor as theirself and see the image of God in everyone, including their political enemies.

Oh for genuine spirituality of love and peace to prevail. Religion isn't the problem, its the people practicing it that often are.

[Justtellthetruth]

Great article.

I can only hope that the US finally uses this snub as the catalyst to get tough with Israel (its the only way we will ever be able to PUSH them into peace and security) and make ALL support and funding conditional upon the complete removal of all settlements and occupying forces.

Only then will there be a chance at peace.

[MARNIE2]

As long as the Palestinian people ...keep on electing - weather they be Hamas or other's
who have their own interest 's & political gains in mind ..........if their is to be a 2-state =the need to stop all HOSTILE ACTION ..between the Israelis & Palestinian's .....accoutable for ones action ?
to the Palestinian people 's who stuggles to have a voice ...a globle voice in their just cause
just be wise to who speak..for you ..............we all need to show Toleance !

[Mirror 5555]

Let's engage in an honest and civil discussion. Can we do that?

Let me ask you this: Do you personally think that the Israeli leadership is without fault given the fact that the current government (just like the last one under Olmert) refuses to agree to a settlement freeze in the West Bank when asked by the United States?

Surely, if anything, most world leaders and the UN agree settlements are an obstacle to peace. I won't get into the road blocks which have less to do with security and more to do with punishing the Palestinians.

Now, Palestinians elected Hamas in an election for which the US (namely Bush) pushed.

Neither is the Israeli government free of blame when it kills hundreds of Children. Sure, you can counter with the yet-to-be proven "human shields" justification, but that doesn't make it true nor accurate.

It seems to me that both individuals and nations do very little self-reflection. Self-reflection can only lead to one's development and betterment.

If individuals can do it, surely the Israeli government can do it. If a country like Norway can do it, surely the Israel can do it. Often times admitting one's faults is proof of moral courage and strength of character. To constantly deflect blame onto others is neither productive nor fair.

This article on Gaza, Hamas, Israel and US is highly recommend:

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/04/gaza200804?printable=true

[eileenflemingWAWA]

Most excellent commentary Mirror555!

Playing the blame game takes us no where but in circles and only REFLECTION, INTROSPECTION, HONESTY and REPENTANCE can break the insanity of 'an eye for an eye' idiotic mentality!

There is enough blame to be shared by ALL and the USA Govt. is the MOST hypocritical of all!

Did you know that 2009 is the FINAL year in The UN Decade of Creating a Culture of NONVIOLENCE for All the Children of the World and that the USA is on the record in the UN as abstaining for support of it because:

"It would make it too hard for US to go to War."

IMAGINE what a wonderful world it could be-IF the USA would quit waging war and supporting military occupations of indigenous peoples!

[MotherMiasia]

Fayyad's plan was largely discredited Mr. Zogby because he was initially presenting Netanyahu's 'economic peace' plan which was earlier rejected internationally. Alleviating and repackaging the occupation is not the way to go Mr. Zogby.

[iblogleft]

We can stop by eliminating the funding of Israel with my tax dollars.

[fbr79]

Good to know you are the only person paying taxes nowadays.

[Enliberate]

This is the right direction. And I do think the majority of Israelis would accept a two state solution. One of the impediments to peace has been an unannounced, secret determination to delay the two state solution forever, if possible. I always wonder at those who say "when Palestinians do such and such, they will have their state", without seriously checking their own intentions. Let's encourage this direction in any way we can. Violence, especially in this context, has always been tragically self-defeating.