Decolonising Palestine and decolonising the struggle too

JVL Introduction

The author outlines how demonstrators are often labeled as terrorist supporters (or taking part in hate marches as was common in the UK); attempts are made to ban them (often without success) and arresting activists and journalists and more; but not only the clamp down on those campaigning for justice for Palestinians but also the attempts even of some who are broadly supportive arguably reflect an  orientalist approach to the Palestinian struggle.

Samra argues that attempts to modify as well as attempts to stop protest and resistance both diminish Palestinians right to lead the narrative.  She argues that expecting “Palestinians to constantly change their image to fit Western standards in order to not be perceived as violent or intolerant, is itself a colonial expectation.” and that “The youth and groups of Palestinians in the diaspora who are calling for change and mobilising against Western complicity are part and parcel of the Palestinian nation facing extermination in all its different forms. They have the right to define their own path to liberation.”

LL

This article was originally published by New Arab on Fri 15 Nov 2024. Read the original here.