Fragmentation of the Palestinian National Identity
Articles

Fragmentation of the Palestinian National Identity

Despite the historical truth of Palestine's existence as land and people, we fear the erosion and fragmentation of the inclusive Palestinian national identity geopolitically and socially; there is a Palestinian community within the 48 territories, another in the West Bank, another in Gaza, and there are Palestinians in Jordan and throughout the diaspora, which threatens that the geographical divide over time will lead to the emergence of sub-identities that distance themselves from the overarching national identity.

Frankly, political stances regarding major national issues such as recognition of Israel, the two-state solution, the Palestinian Authority, the PLO, and armed resistance vary significantly. There are alarming indicators, including the allegiance of certain segments in all communities to external entities more than to Palestine as an identity and culture; whether it concerns Palestinians from 48, some of whom are engaged in the Israeli army, or the allegiance and dependence of other segments to cross-border groups that do not acknowledge the homeland and nationalism, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, and there are also those who owe loyalty to Iran.

Equally concerning is that the sentiments of each community towards the others are neither unified nor reassuring, which is reflected in posts on social media and even in political squabbles among parties that reach the extent of excommunication and betrayal.
How can we restore coherence among Palestinian communities? And who will do that?