Class 2: Forms of Resistance
Resistance will always be essential for true Palestinian Liberation.
Resistance in Palestine takes many forms, both armed and unarmed, driven by the necessity to oppose the persistent and blatant violations of international humanitarian law due to the illegal occupation of Palestine.
For over 80 years, Palestinians have faced deception and peace talks that have proven to be mere facades intended to silence them. Despite being recognized for their patience and resilience, Palestinians have reached a point where passive waiting for change is insufficient; freedom will not come to those who remain silent and accept their circumstances.
The Roots of Unarmed Palestinian Resistance
Unarmed Palestinian resistance, often overshadowed, has a deep-rooted history dating back to the Balfour Declaration era, long before the establishment of “Israel” when the Jewish population in Palestine was below 5 percent. Palestinian families living in larger cities led early opposition to Zionism, using newspapers to spread awareness across rural areas.
Throughout the 1930s, numerous protests against Zionism faced brutal crackdowns from British forces, with many protesters being beaten, arrested, or even killed. During the British Mandate era, Palestinian women devised "tarweedeh," a form of folk music that covertly communicated messages to hostage men, confusing British troops unfamiliar with Arabic.
Following the murder of prominent Palestinian leaders, young resistors such as Izzeldin Al Qassam, organized protests and work strikes against the British Mandate. This historical context stresses the ongoing tradition of resistance in Palestinian struggles in all forms.
Through the Nakba and Beyond
Throughout the Nakba, Palestinians showed continuous unarmed resistance through acts of defiance against the Zionist enemy. First, refusing to abandon their homes despite widespread violence and displacement affecting hundreds of thousands. This approach, however, has not been the sole method of resistance. Armed resistance has been a crucial and persistent part of the Palestinian struggle from the very beginning.
Palestinians have always defended their land and people with whatever means available, understanding that true liberation requires both nonviolent and armed resistance. Today, millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem, and other areas continue this legacy. They remain in their ancestral lands, steadfast against brutal occupation and oppression.
The First Intifada until Now
Moving forward to the first intifada, Palestinians engaged in extensive unarmed mass protests, strikes, and acts of defiance and resistance against the Zionist regime. Palestinian men have often been at the forefront as freedom fighters. Still, Palestinian women have also played an undeniably crucial role in the grassroots effort to end the Zionist occupation during the first intifada.
Palestinian women, such as Naila Ayesh, faced illegal detention and the challenging circumstances of giving birth and raising her child in prison. Other notable leaders during the first intifada included Rabeha Diab and Zahera Kamal.
Palestinian literature is deeply intertwined with the ongoing struggle for rights and self-determination. Central figures like Ghassan Kanafani and Mahmoud Darwish have played pivotal roles in shaping this literary landscape. Kanafani, a prominent writer and journalist, was a leading voice in the Palestinian liberation movement. His works, which often focused on the impact of displacement and exile, have had a profound influence on Palestinian and international audiences. Tragically targeted and assassinated in 1972 by the Israeli Mossad along with his niece, Kanafani's legacy continues to inspire those fighting for justice.