Polarized and Demobilized: Legacies of Authoritarianism in Palestine

After the 1994 Oslo Accords, Palestinians were hopeful of an end to the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a state by 1999. However, the occupation has become more entrenched, and the Palestinian Authority has become increasingly authoritarian. This book argues that international involvement, and its disruptive effects, have demobilized Palestinians and weakened their capacity for collective action, leading to profound social effects such as polarization.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

After the 1994 Oslo Accords, Palestinians held onto the hope that an end to the Israeli occupation was within reach, with the expectation of achieving statehood by 1999. This promise sparked increased international involvement in Palestinian politics, giving rise to various shadows of statehood in the territories. However, the reality today is quite different. Despite the hopes and aspirations of the past, no state has emerged, and the Israeli occupation has become more entrenched. At the same time, the Palestinian Authority has become increasingly authoritarian, leading to growing polarisation and demobilisation among Palestinians. This situation is not unique to Palestine but reflects a broader trend observed in the contemporary Arab world.

This book argues that internationally backed authoritarianism has far-reaching consequences beyond the dynamics of individual regimes. It explores how the Oslo paradigm, which aimed to establish a Palestinian state through negotiations, has inadvertently demobilised Palestinians in a way that direct Israeli occupation had failed to do. Through a multi-method approach encompassing interviews, historical analysis, and cutting-edge experimental data, Dana El Kurd sheds light on how international involvement has insulated Palestinian elites from the public and strengthened their ability to engage in authoritarian practices. These practices have had profound effects on society, resulting in crippling levels of polarisation and a weakened capacity for collective action.

The book highlights the need for a reassessment of the international approach to the Middle East conflict. It emphasises the importance of promoting democratic governance, human rights, and social justice for all individuals living in the region. By challenging the dominant narrative that international involvement is solely beneficial to the Palestinian people, this book offers a fresh perspective on the complex dynamics of the conflict and the potential for a more sustainable and peaceful resolution.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787388246