Redrawing Palestinian National Ideologies: Historical Necessity or Political Luxury?

In light of the major transformations taking place in the Palestinian scene, it has become necessary to reconsider the ideologies governing the national factions, so that they reflect the true aspirations of the Palestinian people, rather than being merely an extension of past conflicts or subject to regional power balances. It is time to redraw the Palestinian political discourse to be more realistic and in touch with the needs of the people, far from ideological stagnation and intellectual isolation.

From factional loyalty to loyalty to the national project

Over the decades, Palestinian factions have transformed from national liberation movements into organizational entities seeking to maintain their presence in the political arena, even if it is at the expense of the collective national interest. Therefore, any process of reshaping ideologies must begin by prioritizing loyalty to the Palestinian national project over factional loyalty, so that the goal becomes the realization of the Palestinian people’s aspirations for freedom and independence, and not merely strengthening the influence of this or that faction.

Democratization of Palestinian Political Thought

The factions were born in diverse intellectual environments, between nationalism, leftism and Islamism, which led to deep ideological divisions that were reflected in Palestinian political life. However, in light of the current changes, it is no longer possible to continue the totalitarian ideology that relies on exclusion and domination. Rather, there must be a comprehensive ideology that opens the way for political pluralism and promotes the logic of true partnership instead of continuous internal conflict.

Between Resistance and Development: Towards an Integrated Vision

Resistance was, and still is, an essential part of Palestinian national identity, but it must be redefined to include all forms of struggle, including economic, cultural and political resistance. National liberation cannot be achieved without economic revival and financial independence, and political power is not acquired solely from weapons, but from the ability to build a strong and sustainable development model.

Breaking the duality of "resistance" and "settlement"

For many years, Palestinian political discourse has been confined to two main currents: the first calls for armed resistance as the only option, and the second relies on negotiations without any cards of strength. However, today’s reality dictates going beyond this deadly duality and searching for a smarter strategy that integrates the various tools of struggle according to a unified national vision, so that military action is not a burden without a horizon, and diplomacy is not an option empty of power.

Redefining Alliances and International Relations

In a changing multipolar world, it is illogical for Palestinian factions to continue building their alliances based on traditional ideological considerations. What is required today is a flexible Palestinian foreign policy, based on achieving national interests away from regional alignments that have proven their failure to truly support the Palestinian cause.

Redrawing national ideologies is not just a political luxury, but an existential necessity to ensure the continuation of the Palestinian struggle in more effective forms. The question that arises today is: Will the Palestinian factions be able to develop their political discourse in a way that is consistent with the aspirations of the Palestinian street? Or will the alternative be the emergence of new forces outside the traditional frameworks?

Palestinian factions between monopolizing decision-making and marginalizing the popular role

The Palestinian people have always been the most prominent element in the steadfastness and struggle against the occupation, but recent decades have witnessed a noticeable decline in their role in favor of the armed forces that monopolized national decision-making and confiscated the space that was allocated for popular mass action. This transformation was not limited to the military aspect, but extended to politics, the economy and society, which led to the weakening of popular initiatives that were historically the basis of the Palestinians’ strength.

From the First Intifada to the Militarization of the Scene

During the first Intifada (1987-1993), popular resistance proved capable of achieving tangible accomplishments, as it succeeded in confusing the occupation through strikes, civil disobedience, and mass demonstrations, without the armed factions being at the forefront. However, over the years, and after the signing of the Oslo Accords, the armed factions began to strengthen their influence, and Palestinian political discourse became more linked to military action, which led to a decline in popular action in favor of armed confrontation as the main option.

Although the Second Intifada (2000-2005) demonstrated the ability of armed struggle to impose new equations, excessive militarization harmed the popular role, as factions began to control the scene, and resistance transformed from being a large-scale popular action to limited military operations within narrow factional calculations.

How was popular action marginalized?

Factional monopoly of national decision

1. The factions have turned into closed political entities, issuing their decisions in isolation from the Palestinian street, which has led to a loss of popular confidence in the political and military leadership.
2. The factions became preoccupied with internal conflicts, and organizational interests took precedence over greater national goals.

Weakening of public initiatives

1. There is no longer serious support for peaceful resistance movements, such as boycotting Israeli products or general strikes, although they have proven effective in previous periods.
2. The popular momentum in the West Bank and Jerusalem in recent years has not been invested in a sustainable national project. Rather, popular movements have remained seasonal and a reaction to emergency events.

Turning weapons into a tool for internal conflict

1. Rather than being a tool to complement popular action, military action has sometimes become a means of imposing internal control between factions.
2. The absence of a unified resistance strategy made military performance intermittent, and sometimes unrelated to clear political goals.
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How can the popular role be restored?

Launching a comprehensive national project that integrates factions with the people

1. Forming independent popular councils representing various Palestinian groups, so that they serve as a parallel popular parliament that ensures the participation of everyone in the national decision.
2. Rebuilding the Palestine Liberation Organization on democratic foundations, so that it is the true representative of the popular will, and not just an organizational framework governed by factional quotas.
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Adopting a sustainable popular resistance strategy

1. Reviving tools of civil disobedience, such as mass strikes and organized peaceful protests, as part of an ongoing struggle strategy.
2. Strengthening the resistance economy by supporting local production and boycotting the Israeli economy, which gives the Palestinians financial independence that contributes to strengthening their steadfastness.
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Redistribution of roles between factions and the people

1. The factions must become tools of support and organization, rather than guardians of Palestinian decision-making.
2. Encouraging trade union, student, women’s and labour work to play an active role in leading the national movement.
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Towards a new equation for resistance

What is required today is not to abandon armed action, but to integrate it into an integrated national strategy led by the Palestinian people in all their categories. Experience has proven that any resistance that is not based on a broad popular base remains limited in its impact. The real strength of the Palestinians has never been in weapons alone, but in their ability to organize themselves, activate their popular forces, and keep their cause alive in all arenas.

Towards a Palestinian vision that addresses moderate forces in Israel

In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, it is easy to drift towards a one-sided vision that focuses only on the confrontation, without looking at the internal dynamics of the other side. But the reality requires that Palestinians realize that they are not alone in the scene, and that there are moderate Israeli forces that believe in the need to end the occupation and defend the rights of both peoples to live in peace. These forces, despite their current weak influence in the face of the rise of the extreme right, are still part of the equation, and efforts must be made to strengthen their positions within a clear Palestinian strategy.

Why should we address the moderate current in Israel?

Breaking the far-right's monopoly on the political scene

1. The Israeli right, represented by successive governments, promotes a narrative that the Palestinians reject any settlement, which justifies the continuation of the occupation and settlement.
2. By engaging with moderate forces, this narrative can be undermined and it can be demonstrated that Palestinians are not against coexistence, but against the occupation and its policies.
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Creating an impact within Israeli society

1. It cannot be ignored that political change in Israel comes from within, and Israeli society is influenced by public discourse.
2. Strengthening voices supporting Palestinian rights within Israel can create pressure on the government, especially during times of political crisis.
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Presenting a compelling Palestinian vision to the world

1. The international community usually views the conflict from a binary perspective, portraying it as a conflict between two extremist parties.
2. By building alliances with moderate voices in Israel, the Palestinian narrative can be presented as a just rights issue, not just a political or religious dispute.
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How can moderate forces in Israel be strengthened?

Adopting a Palestinian discourse that intelligently addresses Israeli society

1. Instead of merely addressing the international and Arab community, there must be a Palestinian discourse directed at the Israelis themselves, making clear that the occupation is not only a Palestinian problem, but also poses a threat to the future of the Israelis.
2. Focus on points of convergence, such as rejecting settlements as a threat to the two-state solution, and promoting the discourse of equal rights for all.
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Opening channels of dialogue with anti-occupation forces

1. There are Israeli organizations such as B'Tselem, Peace Now, and Breaking the Silence that work to expose the practices of the occupation, and these voices need indirect Palestinian support to strengthen their position.
2. Informal dialogues can be created between independent Palestinian figures and these forces, with the aim of exchanging visions and working to neutralize extremist voices on both sides.
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Encouraging joint action on human rights issues

1. Cooperation with Israeli organizations that defend Palestinian rights in the courts or in the media can enhance the international legitimacy of the Palestinian struggle.
2. Supporting joint initiatives such as protests against home demolitions, or campaigns to boycott products from settlements, may help build an internal pressure base against the occupation’s policies.

What is required is not to bet on moderate currents in Israel as an alternative to the Palestinian struggle, but rather to integrate them within the framework of a smart resistance strategy that invests all possible tools to achieve Palestinian rights. In the end, the stronger these voices become inside Israel, the less the extreme right will be able to impose its agenda, which opens the way for more just solutions for both peoples.