Class 2: Occupied Palestine
Current Political Landscape
In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority, established in the mid-90s, operates under the shadow of Israeli military control, a far cry from the independent statehood it was meant to lead to. The political landscape is fragmented, with Fatah, part of the PLO, controlling the West Bank and Hamas governing Gaza. This division, a direct consequence of Israeli occupation and external manipulation, has hindered the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.
Humanitarian Crisis Under Occupation
The Oslo Accords, signed in 1993, did not bring peace but further subjugated Palestinians under the guise of an "economic peace." This agreement accelerated Israeli economic growth while plunging Palestinians into deeper despair. The Paris Protocol, part of these accords, shackled the Palestinian economy to Israel, creating a dependency from which Palestinians could not escape.
The West Bank, dissected into Areas A, B, and C, showcases the extent of Israeli control. With over 42 percent of the land under Israeli settlements, sustainable development for Palestinians is a distant dream. Checkpoints and the apartheid wall severely restrict the Palestinian movement, a daily reminder of their lack of freedom. In Gaza, the situation is even more dire. Since 2006, Israel's blockade has devastated Gaza's economy and isolated it from the rest of Palestine. The repeated genocidal military aggressions against Gaza, continue to inflict unbearable suffering on the Palestinian people. This exacerbates the uninhabitable realities in Gaza.
The Palestinian narrative is one of ongoing resistance against a settler colonial state that has sought to erase their existence and rights. The struggle is not just for land but for the recognition of Palestinian humanity and their right to self-determination. This lesson serves as a testament to their resilience and unyielding spirit in the face of relentless oppression.
Daily Life Under Occupation
The pervasive presence of illegal Israeli settlements, military checkpoints, and the apartheid wall defines the daily life of Palestinians in the West Bank. These features of the occupation vividly illustrate the Israeli state's strategies of control and suppression.
Illegal Israeli Settlements: These settlements are strategically placed to disrupt the continuity of Palestinian land and communities. They are often built on confiscated Palestinian land and are a source of constant tension and violence. The presence of these settlements not only undermines the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state but also directly impacts the lives of Palestinians by restricting their access to resources and their freedom of movement.
Military Checkpoints and the Apartheid Wall: The West Bank is fragmented by a network of Israeli military checkpoints and the imposing apartheid wall, which cuts deep into Palestinian territory. These structures serve to control and limit the movement of Palestinians within their own land, turning daily activities such as traveling to work, school, or visiting family into exhausting and time-consuming ordeals. The psychological impact of this constant surveillance and restriction cannot be overstated.
