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The Bold Struggle to Safeguard Palestinian Identity from Occupation’s Erasure

Exploring Cultural Resilience Amidst Systematic Oppression

To be Palestinian means you have to resist for your identity, which is threatened by erasure and oppression. It takes great strength to protect what the occupation tries to wipe out about the roots of Palestinian identity, whether in culture or history. Over time, the Palestinian identity has gone through many phases of repression, weakening, theft, and attempts to deny its existence. The bloody wars have further tried to suppress this identity. Today, this identity faces one of its biggest challenges due to the intensified struggle over what remains of the land and the rapid changes in Arab societies, raising fears about the future of the Palestinian cause.

For many years, the Palestinian people have experienced numerous political changes, starting with the Nakba in 1948, when around half of the population was displaced to neighboring countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as the West Bank and Gaza. The remaining Palestinians in the occupied territories were isolated, and the events of the 1967 Six-Day War further allowed Israel to separate Gaza and the West Bank from their surrounding countries.

All these events have destroyed geographic and social connections, gradually shrinking the Palestinian identity up to the present day. The Israeli occupation continues to use various strategies aimed at erasing Palestinian identity, from the destruction of historical and cultural landmarks to enforcing restrictive laws that stifle political expression and cultural practices.

Palestinian Identity and Its Stages

Archaeological excavations show that humans have lived in Palestine since ancient times. The name “Palestinians” comes from the tribes that inhabited the southwestern coast of Palestine, stretching from Gaza in the south to Jaffa in the north. During the British Mandate, Palestine was not limited to its current borders; it was culturally and historically distinct from the surrounding Arab regions, especially Syria.

Over 95% of the population spoke Arabic, with Islam being the predominant religion. Christianity followed, and a small minority of about 6% identified as Jewish. This demographic makeup is similar to that of other Arab countries like Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq.

1948

The process of scattering the Palestinian national identity began after the Nakba in 1948. This catastrophic event transformed the landscape of Palestine, leading to the introduction of the term “refugee” and fundamentally changing how Palestinians interacted with their new reality. As a result, Palestinians were divided into various categories, creating social and cultural distinctions among the indigenous population and within the Palestinian community itself.

These categories include the 1948 refugees, those displaced during the 1967 war, and the 1948 Arab citizens who remained inside. Each group faced challenges and experiences that created social and cultural differences both among the indigenous population of the country and internally with the Palestinians themselves, leading to a diversity of identities and narratives among Palestinians. However, despite these divisions, attempts to erase Palestinian identity have not succeeded in eliminating the deep connection to the land.

Palestine remains a state with a rich history that spans thousands of years, preserved in the memories of every Palestinian who had to leave their homeland. Many carry the keys to their former homes as a symbol of their enduring hope for return and their unbreakable bond to their identity. This resilience is a testament to the strength of Palestinian identity, which continues to thrive even in the face of displacement and hardship. Understanding this aspect of Palestinian identity is essential for grasping the broader implications of their struggle for rights and recognition.

The Oslo Accords

On September 13, 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) signed the Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority (PIA) Agreement in Washington, D.C. The historic agreement was intended to establish the Palestinian National Authority and end decades of conflict while recognizing mutual political rights. Although it brought hope for cultural, social, and political diversity to the Palestinian arena, its negative consequences often outweighed its benefits. The agreement severely affected Palestinian identity, creating social, cultural, political, and economic challenges in the occupied territories and marginalizing Palestinian communities abroad, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Intifada.

Intifada

The First Intifada began in December 1987 and continued until 1992. Its main cause was an accident in which four Palestinian workers from Gaza were killed when an Israeli military truck hit and smashed their car. The demonstrations began on December 9, 1987 in Jabalia, the largest refugee camp in Palestine.

It was the first intifada. These events had a noticeable impact on Palestinian identity during the 1980s, as Palestinians began publishing memorial books about the villages from which they were displaced, collecting information about these villages, most of which no longer exist, while maintaining focus on the main goal, namely preserving the history and memory carried by these villages.

the second intifada

The efforts did not stop even after the outbreak of the second intifada in 2000, after the then Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, under the protection of about two thousand soldiers and special forces. Confrontations occurred between worshipers and the occupation forces. The second intifada was characterized by many confrontations and an escalation in military operations between Palestinian factions and the Israeli army.

Its impact was greater on the Palestinian Identity , as it marked a turning point in the course of Palestinian political participation in Israel, and this was evident through the local demonstrations that took place to demonstrate the unity of position and solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Occupation and Systematic Repression of Identity

Attacking and Shaping Minds (in the Field of Education)

The Zionist colonial policies produced different forms and names of the Palestinian identity such as the Arabs of 48, refugees, displaced persons, stateless persons and other legal and social names that accompanied the Palestinian as a result of their continuous displacement and targeting of their national identity.

One of the methods used by the occupation to suppress the Palestinian identity is targeting the Palestinian Arabic language, customs and traditions, which is the strongest type of suppression and the most influential because the basis of identity and society is the language in which the person was born and lived among the members of his community.

This policy comes within a systematic system established by the Zionist entity. By imposing educational curricula in the Hebrew language in the occupied interior in 1948, the occupation wants to create an alternative awareness and memory for the Palestinian people that emphasizes the history of the Jews in Palestine and their eras in it. Their efforts did not stop at the curricula only, but also changed the names of Arab places to Hebrew names. This policy caused some who are not fully educated about the history of Palestine to forget the names of Palestinian places

Israeli apartheid

Apartheid is a violation of international law. The term “apartheid” was initially used to refer to a political system in South Africa that imposed racial segregation, the domination and oppression of one racial group over another. Since then, the international community has adopted it to condemn and criminalize such systems and practices wherever they occur in the world. In Palestine, the “apartheid wall” was built in 2002 in the West Bank area near the Green Line, at a total cost of about $3.4 billion. In its first phase, it was 115 kilometers long north of the West Bank. The construction of this wall had an impact in various areas that would have a wide impact on Palestinian identity:

  • A large part of the areas turned into completely closed enclaves
  • The economic situation is deteriorating, particularly impacting the agricultural sector and pushing thousands of Palestinian families into poverty.
  • The health sector is affected and the residents of the villages are deprived of access to hospitals in different cities
  • Disrupting the effectiveness of the education system, due to the restrictions it imposes on freedom of movement and travel

The construction of the separation wall constitutes a form of collective punishment, as prohibited by Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which states that “No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed.” In 2004, the International Court of Justice ruled against the wall, urging the international community to halt its construction and dismantle existing sections in occupied Palestinian territories. Despite this, the wall aims not only to erase Palestinian identity but also to alienate Palestinians from their homeland, contributing to the gradual disappearance of their cultural identity.

Cultural Repression

Israel claims ownership of Palestinian culture through various factors, including the Dabke dance, a tradition that predates the term “Israel,” as well as well-known Palestinian music and traditional dresses that are heavily embroidered.

Each dress reflects the heritage of its city; for example, Nablus is distinguished by its red embroidery, Jenin by its long white stripes, and Jaffa by its many stitches. This cultural significance is evident in the legacy passed down through generations, with each granddaughter inheriting an ancient Palestinian dress adorned with deep meanings that symbolize resistance. Appropriation extends to food, with the occupation falsely attributing dishes such as hummus, musakhan, and maqluba to its cuisine. But with the advancement of technology, social media platforms now showcase Palestinian identity and heritage, providing documented evidence of their authenticity, in contrast to the occupation’s lack of conclusive evidence for its claims.

the fight to preserve Palestinian identity is a powerful reflection of resilience and cultural richness. Despite ongoing efforts to diminish this identity, Palestinians continue to showcase their heritage through art, cuisine, and storytelling. Their determination not only highlights the importance of cultural preservation but also fosters unity and hope for the future. As they embrace their history and share their experiences, they inspire solidarity and ensure that Palestinian identity remains vibrant and influential, paving the way for generations to come.

Source
Manifestations of Palestinian Identity) by Dr. Majdi Al-Malaki Institute for Palestine studiesText of the decision of the International Court of Justice in The HagueREUTERS

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