Popular Resistance in Palestine: “One hand can’t clap” Marwan Darweish Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations Coventry University

2 Israel: 415 x kms West Bank: 120 x 32 kms. Gaza Strip: 40 x 4 kms.

4 Images: Construction of wall

5 Images of wall

6

Understanding of NVR Dependent power Identifying and undermining ‘pillars’ of support Raising the costs of regime policies Collective civilian resistance against occupation

Pre-requisites for popular resistance Strong sense of solidarity throughout the subject population; no vertical and horizontal divisions, strong networks of CBOs Organisational resilience; unified leadership, clear strategy, coordinated movement, experienced practitioners, weak movement advocating violence, achievable goals. External support from state and non state actors; exercise leverage over occupying power, resources

Long history of NV Six month strike in 1936 Palestinians inside Israel: struggle to end military rule First Intifada 1987

Three types of NVR Response to the construction of the Wall Counter the establishment of settlements Resilience to stay in the land (Area C)

Activities Defence of people as they pursue their daily lives: Accompaniment, protection, documentation, advocacy and legal Defence of land and property: Demonstrations, reclaim land, confrontation Enhance the resilience of communities: Stay, meet basic needs Offensive activities to make cost high for Israel: occupy, block, prevent, destroy equipment and boycott goods

Challenges Political fracture....crisis of leadership and trust Political fracture....different networks Lack of strategy and vision to inform activists Lack of coordination: two activities in Bilien and Hebron Cynicism about motivation and competition Created sense of resignation...whatever we do and the world will ignore us

Lack of hope in populer resistance NGO-isation of civil society org Sanctions and intimidation by Israel Inability to win support from Israeli society Signs of hope? Emergence of international solidarity movement with the Pal struggle DBS