Crisis-ridden Parties and Absent References: The Need to Renew the National Project

Author: عوض عبد الفتاح

The Palestinians within the occupied territories, especially the intellectual and political elites, remain preoccupied with the escalating challenges that threaten their present and future amidst the rise of Zionist fascism and the brutal nature of the ruling regime, as well as the relentless pursuit to liquidate the Palestinian cause and to expand colonial hegemony over the region. This intense concern, while indicative of an increasing awareness of the gravity of the phase, has not yet transformed into a clear path or a unifying vision, deepening the sense of anxiety and uncertainty, and amplifying feelings of impotence and frustration. Nonetheless, the ongoing attempts for understanding and analysis reflect a refusal to surrender and a spirit of determination for free existence.

The core dilemma does not lie in the absence of diagnosis but in the failure to advance towards a comprehensive practical project that responds to the magnitude of the intertwined challenges, which are no longer exceptional or transient, but have become structural, posing greater threats than everything that preceded them. The current challenges are inseparable from the Zionist colonial project in Palestine and the region as a whole; they have deepened and intertwined with it, negatively impacting the Palestinian internal scene with severe distortions in its social and political structure, most notably through the proliferation of a false partnership discourse with the racist regime, the ascendancy of organized crime, and even the religious sanctification of this distortion by employing religion to serve subjugation policies.

In light of this reality, Palestinians in the occupied territories find themselves in a position of defending their identity, not only against the Zionist establishment but also against local currents that have become part of the fragmentation and hybridization system. We have witnessed, at previous moments, the Palestinian community's ability to unite its ranks, assert its presence, expose the falsehood of Israeli democracy, and strip its racist structure bare, but today we are faced with a different reality: Israel no longer hides its racism and sees no need even to pretend to be democratic. The time for claims has passed, replaced by an era of blatant repression and the celebration of extermination policies.

Under this regression, spaces for Palestinian political action within the occupied territories are shrinking and are being directly targeted. Even the voices of "moderation" – such as Ayman Odeh, for example – who tried to create alliances with "liberal" Zionist forces, have not been spared from bloody incitement campaigns, exposing the limitations of this approach and revealing the illusion of the possibility of reform from within the Israeli system. Conversely, there are still religious political currents insisting on allying with the apartheid government, even as former allies are distancing themselves, raising fundamental questions about the credibility and viability of these projects.

Amidst the abundance of diagnosis and the absence of organized action

The political situation within the Palestinian territories is witnessing vibrancy in theoretical endeavors. There is an abundance of analyses and discussions, yet in contrast, there is a scarcity of practical political projects, or a collective vision that embodies the people's aspirations and actively confronts this shifting scene. We still lack a comprehensive national project that rearranges priorities and clearly defines the relationship with the broader Palestinian national project, especially amid the radical changes that have occurred in the colonial struggle dynamics in Palestine and the fascist thrust led by the extremist right-wing government.

While discussions focus on superficial topics regarding the fate of the Joint List or seasonal alliances, the political arena overlooks the urgent need to renew national discourse and build an alternative strategy. Especially in light of real threats to erase parties or prevent them from running, this necessitates serious action to face this possibility, rather than merely relying on media reactions or repeated statements.

Indeed, some initiatives and approaches have been proposed, and some movements have been launched, yet they still suffer from weak grassroots rooting and slow interaction with a reality that is moving rapidly, with accelerating repressive tools, whether through crime, demolition, or moral and political siege.

Leadership Crisis and Absence of References

The crisis has intensified due to the collapse of encompassing political and social references and the persistent presence of political elites that are unable or lack the will, or both. It cannot be ignored that part of the problem lies in the temporal accumulation of traditional leaderships that have not renewed themselves, nor have they conducted a genuine review of their performance.

Despite this bleak scene, a model worthy of contemplation emerges: the National Democratic Assembly, which, despite its absence from the Knesset, has managed to survive, successfully conducted a real internal review, built its student bases, and restored its relationship with the street. It has also initiated the formulation of political papers for dialogue and joint work, and succeeded in engaging with wide segments of youth and society. This is a model of political work outside the Knesset, proving that political struggle does not rely solely on parliamentary representation.

We are not calling for the glorification of a particular party but rather a call for reflection and reconsideration of the essence of political action, its necessities, and limits. There are parties represented in the Knesset, possessing relatively large budgets, yet they lack real party structures, living in the shadow of the individual leader, without a student movement or community vision. There is no future for political action without a serious review and without internal reform that restores trust and unleashes a new dynamic. No single party, however distinguished, can instigate a positive upheaval in the political landscape, but it can serve as an inspiring model, especially if it continues to develop its political program and its vision regarding the relationship with the broader liberation national project that must extend from the sea to the river.

Prospect of Collective Revival

Revival can only be achieved through a comprehensive reform of parties, the rebuilding of representative national references, the revival of national political discourse, and the formulation of an effective struggle strategy in the face of the discourse of normalization and partnership with the extermination regime. This is the only path that can restore the people's trust and reclaim their dignity, and this mission must include shedding the prevailing individualism and returning to the collective spirit, which is an existential necessity in the face of the project of erasure and extermination.