Some Light Amidst the Darkness

The occupied Palestinian territories are going through one of the most complex and dangerous phases ever, marked by successive and escalating crises that have led to a deteriorating situation. Many observers see it as nearing collapse; there is a near breakdown in the economic situation, a decline in living conditions, and a rise in unemployment rates, all accompanied by sharp political divisions. Influential groups are calling for a redefinition of the unifying national project! What are its foundations? What is acceptable or achievable in light of the rampant settlement expansion, assaults by settlers, and the demolition of homes in a complete and overwhelming violation of Palestinian land, particularly in rural areas and towns? The classifications of Areas A, B, and C no longer bear any political significance from the perspective of the occupation, while the (settler state) in the West Bank is being reinforced by an army of armed settlers, numbering in the tens of thousands, trained, prepared, financially supported, and protected by the occupation government at the highest levels, providing them with all necessary resources. This is beyond just herding sheep and letting them roam among the homes of citizens; everything happening is a forced imposition of a reality completely different from what occurred in the past.

The scene is grim and disheartening, and the glimmer of hope seems to be fading. Is everything truly over? Are we faced with a situation that is difficult to change? Will the state of helplessness we live in today witness further deterioration towards something even more dangerous? The occupation, in this case, openly reveals its projects of forced or voluntary displacement, emptying the land of its owners, even in the early stages of the election propaganda for the upcoming elections of the occupation, gathering the heads of competing lists against the Palestinian state, adopting plans for annexation and land seizure, and measures aimed at entrenching the political and geographical separation between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Alongside all this, there is the theft of "clearance" funds, salary cuts, and stifling the minimum requirements for survival. This characterization of the current situation finds complete consensus, alongside ongoing fears about the continued erosion of frameworks and references, and the absence of serious dialogue, despite this year being designated as the year of elections and preparations for the National Council elections scheduled for the end of the year. All this and much more is understood by everyone in the national arena, always showcased from chapters where issues and papers intermingle, and the national stance, which has always served as a compass or a "cornerstone" for mobilizing the street and gathering resources for facing dangers, is absent. The most evident manifestation is that the street is today unprotected, without cover, and without even providing the minimum requirements for the means of survival and steadfastness that everyone talks about, without any steps, program, or shared understanding agreed upon.

Despite all this, we must not lose hope, and we cannot afford to retreat and let the situation crumble in order to achieve the goals of the occupation and its settlers, who wreak havoc despite everything that is happening. Let us look for the glimmer of light in the vast sea of darkness permeating our lives, overshadowing a bloody scene. There is always hope. For instance, anyone following what is happening in the eastern countryside of Ramallah, one of the most targeted areas by settlers and occupation violations today, sees the experience of uprisings (faza'at) when settlers attack these villages. It illustrates the solidarity and cohesion among all residents, both young and old. There are popular protective committees that work voluntarily, and residents unite to provide resources for them. Their role has been effective and active, averting several deadly incidents after raising community awareness. Another example is the unity demonstrated in the town of Sinjl, north of Ramallah, a village targeted by settlement, where residents managed to collect 370,000 shekels within hours after opening a donation drive to support farmers who were attacked by settlers and had their livestock stolen, as compensation from the town and in support of their resilience within the campaign "Sinjl’s Stance of Honor Will Not Break.” Donations have also poured into many villages and towns that have suffered the brunt of escalating assaults from settler hordes in the Nablus countryside as public support, providing barbed wire to protect threatened lands from confiscation, distributing seedlings and aid in many villages in Salfit, and emergency assistance in Masafer Yatta. There is an ongoing movement and action, even if not officially announced, suggesting that collective awareness is strongly present despite the brutal practices of the occupation.

There are harsh and contentious conditions; this is true. Theft is not just of livestock but of the future and existence in this land. As long as it’s like this, supporting targeted people and villages can strengthen farmers and imbue great significance in the face of what is happening to uplift spirits. We remain guided by what can strengthen the existence of a family or a Bedouin community, despite the need for more resources and the provision of means for steadfastness. They do not need more slogans and grandiose speeches from us; instead, they require what makes their existence on the ground more secure, which is a very simple duty that all actions should express and in which official energies, despite their fewness, should meet with available and accessible resources, and that of the private sector with its vast resources. Being present on the ground today represents the essence of life in confronting plans of displacement and ethnic cleansing.

Despite the political position being shaky, it can be reinforced and strengthened, and popular initiatives can help as in Deir Abu Mishal, al-Khader, Masafer Yatta, the villages of the Jordan Valley, Tubas, and of course, Khan al-Ahmar, and the Bedouin encampments protecting areas in East Jerusalem from the E1 plan, extending to Masafer Yatta and the South, imposing realities on the ground. The situation is not so bleak that we no longer have a (way out); on the contrary, today the occupation's image in the region and the world has suffered greatly on the black list of shame. It is no longer the dominating military power in the region. There have been significant changes and transformations, and we must benefit from them and open a window for penetration through a cohesive and strong Palestinian stance that reaffirms adherence to legitimate rights. The internal arena can respond to the aggression with available popular resources despite their scarcity and the existing sense of frustration and despair is not a fate. The popular initiatives in the rural areas today are not just a requirement and a priority but a focal point for restoring the national condition and reviving the popular work that has been absent. Every initiative in one of the villages today is an expression of the Palestinian people's ability to confront displacement. What we have missed throughout the past period has been the absence of living models and a lack of resources compared to what is needed given the scale of assaults, but that does not mean that the state of silence is permanent. The examples of Sinjl, Deir Abu Mishal, Yatta, and many others are removing the veil from a reality that must change and serve as a bridge that must be widened and adopted to become a real pattern of popular resistance for a people under occupation longing for liberation. Even the paths organized by young men and women to explore the villages and rural areas contribute to shaping an entire generation to recognize the nature of the land and its scenic terrains, but it also poses a challenge that makes settlers reconsider and not dare to approach. It is another model, a bet for a people who are rooted, sending a message to these strangers that generations dream and still can move forward with their dream despite this darkness.