Class 1: Introduction to Palestinian Resistance
Resistance 101
In our new crash course, learn the truth behind Palestinian resistance and the significance of martyrdom, the role of Palestinian women, and how we can be better advocates for Palestine. If we won’t support our resistance, who will? We must push this cause forward and learn to let our people lead the way. Dive deep into our martyrs' history, sacrifices, and enduring legacy, and understand how their bravery fuels our struggle for liberation. Start learning and be a part of the movement to amplify Palestinian voices and advocate for justice. Your journey toward supporting Palestinian liberation starts here.
Historical Context of the Palestinian Struggle
Often, when we think about resistance in Palestine, our minds assume it is only about Hamas. However, resistance has existed among Palestinians ever since the land was occupied by British colonizers after World War I. When the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to colonize all of Palestine in 1920, Palestinians had already started resisting from 1917. As British colonizers advanced into Ottoman-controlled Palestine, some Palestinian Arabs resisted and fought alongside Ottoman forces. There were also several unarmed uprisings and unrest from Palestinians toward British soldiers occupying Palestinian towns and cities. Jerusalem was captured by the British in December 1917, but before that, prominent figures like Hajj Amin al-Husseini began encouraging his community to stand united against the colonizers. Al-Husseini's opposition to Zionism, commitment to Palestinian sovereignty, and role in mobilizing resistance set the stage for future generations. He famously said, "There is no room in the country for both people. It's either us or the Zionists.”
Ottoman period and early British Mandate era
In the late Ottoman period and early British Mandate era, resistance took several forms. Palestinian leaders engaged in diplomatic efforts to oppose the Zionist movement, aiming to influence policy decisions regarding Jewish immigration and land purchases. Palestinians also organized strikes and demonstrations, such as the 1920 Nebi Musa riots in Jerusalem and the 1929 riots in Hebron and Safed, which were part of a broader wave of resistance. The Arab Revolt (1936-1939) was a major uprising against British rule and Jewish immigration, involving widespread strikes and armed attacks on British forces and Jewish communities. Figures like Abdel Qader al-Husseini led the revolt, which laid the groundwork for organized movements like Fatah and Hamas.
Formation of Fatah
In contemporary times, the resistance evolved with the formation of Fatah in the late 1950s and Hamas in the early 1990s. Palestinian resistance members of Fatah carried out their first military operation, Operation Nasser, against the Israeli occupation on January 1, 1965. This operation, though not successful, marked the beginning of the armed struggle against ‘Israel’. As Fatah's political influence diminished after the Oslo Accords, Hamas emerged, advocating for armed resistance against ‘Israel’. Hamas, established by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 1987, became a significant force in Palestinian resistance, especially after incidents like the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre in 1993.
Resistance Leaders
The resistance in Gaza, known as the cradle of Palestinian resistance, has continued despite severe illegal Zionist blockades and military assaults— which turned Gaza into a concentration camp. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and other leaders like Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi and Ismail Haniyeh became symbols of this ongoing struggle. Despite their assassinations by Zionist forces, the resistance persisted, adapting to new leadership structures. The resilience and steadfastness of the Palestinians, especially in Gaza, highlight that resistance is not confined to one group but is an enduring ideology fighting for freedom and justice. Even if current resistance groups cease to exist, more will rise, driven by the unwavering spirit of the Palestinian people.
