As we discussed social movements and the role of non-violent protest in social change I believe it's important to look at the first Intifada as a case where people were on the same page. The 2011 Arab Spring movements are regularly categorized as a movement spurred by the advent of social media and technology as the biggest catalyst for organization. Compared to even western examples the Occupy Wall Street movement benefited in our media from this same characterization. Where the two cases differ though is where the collective group ended up on its message. OWS although massive ended not with a bang, but with a whimper. A failure to identify and pursue a common agenda made the leaderless movement incapable of progress despite its groundswell. The Intifada however was a movement centered around a Palestinian identity, for Palestinian cause and was less reliant on the impact of outside interests and leaders.
Yassir Arafat as the Chairman of the PLO in conjunction with their parties within occupied territories, along with local neighborhood movements were able to implement and maintain a non-violent approach to dissent against the Israelis. Knowing full well the violent backlash that would be undertaken by Israel should the Palestinians respond with force, the PLO and satellite groups maintained cohesion with a non-violent strategy. The ties bonding the movement remained strong despite Israeli offenses, often using these attacks as evidence in propaganda to call upon Palestinians to join the civil cause. Even with minor fracturing between the Palestinian groups the overall leadership and movement goals remained clear and focused. By holding the line against Israeli aggression with only minor flare ups in violence, the movement was able to garner legitimacy while ensuring Israel tainted its own image with its violations of UN Security Council resolutions.
With a mass of Palestinians focused on the key aspect of Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, bolstered by a commitment not to use violence in pursuit of this goal, the Intifada created the environment where Israel's reactive measures became viewed as excessive by the UN and in the media. The overall result of the movement helped to establish the PLO as a legitimate body which could mediate affairs affecting Palestinians and to begin the process of peace that could be pursued through a two state solution. Although peace and a two state solution never manifested the Intifada illustrated the effect that a close-knit group with clear goals could directly challenge the overwhelming military and political power of a ruling body such as Israel.
Yassir Arafat as the Chairman of the PLO in conjunction with their parties within occupied territories, along with local neighborhood movements were able to implement and maintain a non-violent approach to dissent against the Israelis. Knowing full well the violent backlash that would be undertaken by Israel should the Palestinians respond with force, the PLO and satellite groups maintained cohesion with a non-violent strategy. The ties bonding the movement remained strong despite Israeli offenses, often using these attacks as evidence in propaganda to call upon Palestinians to join the civil cause. Even with minor fracturing between the Palestinian groups the overall leadership and movement goals remained clear and focused. By holding the line against Israeli aggression with only minor flare ups in violence, the movement was able to garner legitimacy while ensuring Israel tainted its own image with its violations of UN Security Council resolutions.
With a mass of Palestinians focused on the key aspect of Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, bolstered by a commitment not to use violence in pursuit of this goal, the Intifada created the environment where Israel's reactive measures became viewed as excessive by the UN and in the media. The overall result of the movement helped to establish the PLO as a legitimate body which could mediate affairs affecting Palestinians and to begin the process of peace that could be pursued through a two state solution. Although peace and a two state solution never manifested the Intifada illustrated the effect that a close-knit group with clear goals could directly challenge the overwhelming military and political power of a ruling body such as Israel.
Interesting comparison of the Arab Spring, the first Intifada, and the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. In terms of OWS, I wonder if Bernie is ultimately the result of that sentiment and the leader that the movement never had.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the first Intifada, I've wrestled with imagining a Palestinian Intifada with social media. I doubt that it would have made a drastic difference in message unity and radically altering the international discursive landscape.