Introduction to the Anticolonialist Fight As the Proved Way to Free Palestine

By Hichem Karoui

Why ought sagacious individuals attempt to re-engineer the proverbial wheel, especially considering its existence spans millennia? The “wheel” in question metaphorically represents the anti-colonial armed struggle against more formidable adversaries. This strategy has proven efficacious for various nations, thus it stands to reason that such tactics should likewise be efficacious for the Palestinians, who have been enduring Israeli occupation for approximately 75 years, bolstered by patronage from erstwhile colonial powers such as Europe and the USA. The last endeavor for a negotiated conciliation, the Oslo Accords, transpired as a skewed arrangement favoring Israelis unilaterally. Palestinians garnered no autonomy, nor even superficial independence, due to Israel’s omnipresent control over their lives, allowing reoccupation or destruction of any territory previously vacated. Luckily, Palestinian nationalists have recognized these realities and resumed armed resistance. They resonate with Mao Zedong’s ideology that liberation is achieved through the barrel of a gun. Consequently, they inaugurated the audacious operation titled “Al Aqsa Flood.” The odyssey towards liberation is protracted and arduous, demanding immense sacrifices, yet it ultimately promises fruition. This discourse arrives at a pivotal juncture within this protracted struggle.

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The Palestinian-Israeli conflict indisputably remains one of the most intricate and protracted disputes in contemporary history. Extending over a century, this contest for territory, identity, and self-determination has indelibly impacted the lives of millions of Palestinians and Israelis, intricately weaving their destinies, aspirations, and trepidations. Having embarked on a long-held idea, the results of which readers will see in a series of books on the struggles of different peoples for national liberation and independence, to be published successively by Global East-West in the “Resistances” series, I am irrevocably committed to thoroughly exploring the multifaceted layers of this conflict, shedding light on its historical genesis, scrutinizing critical events, and clarifying the divergent perspectives of the parties involved.

This discord pivots around two conflicting narratives: the Zionist aspiration for a Jewish homeland in Palestine juxtaposed with the Palestinian quest for national emancipation and self-determination. Nevertheless, the rabbit hole extends even deeper, with origins entwined in the lengthy history of the land and its profound significance to multitudinous peoples.

The Jewish affiliation to the land of Palestine is steeped in ancient historical and religious traditions. For millennia, Jews have venerated the land as their ancestral homeland, principally due to the Torah. Jerusalem, in particular, is of profound religious import, being the locus of the ancient Jewish temple and the Western Wall, the most hallowed site in Judaism.

The Zionist movement, spearheaded by luminaries such as Theodor Herzl, endeavored to transmute this historical and religious yearning into a political reality. With the escalating occurrences of anti-Semitism and persecution in Europe, the imperative for a Jewish homeland gained momentum during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Zionist vision, initially propelled by the concept of establishing a sanctuary for Jews, secured international support with the issuance of the Balfour Declaration in 1917. This promise, issued by the British government, expressed support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, which the British government does not own but administers under a mandate. Therefore, at the outset, there emerges a fundamental issue of legitimacy, as the British lacked the authority to confer territory they did not own to any group. The land in question had been inhabited for centuries by Palestinians.

Simultaneously, the Palestinian people possess profound, longstanding ties to the land, coupled with a vibrant cultural and historical legacy. Palestinians, irrespective of being Muslims, Christians, or Jews, have inhabited the region for centuries, cultivating an intricate identification with the land and its heritage. Their affiliation with the land is equally steeped in religious significance, notably with Jerusalem housing pivotal Muslim sanctuaries like the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque، the first of the two Qiblas, and the third of the two Shrines. The rise of Palestinian nationalism burgeoned in direct response to the Zionist enterprise, intensifying particularly during the British Mandate era.

To comprehend the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, one must critically examine the implications of British colonial rule. The British Mandate in Palestine, spanning from 1920 to 1948, decisively influenced the conflict’s trajectory. The British sought to establish a Jewish homeland without consideration for the Arab interests, which led to mounting tensions between Jewish and Arab communities. Arab antagonism towards Jewish immigration and land procurement in a variety of ways escalated, sparking intermittent violent clashes.

The Arab Revolt of 1936-1939, caused by exacerbating Palestinian discontent, stood as a notable watershed. Palestinians, disillusioned with British policies and the continuing expansion of Jewish settlements, started an extensive strike and insurrection against British forces and Zionist settlements. Although the revolt was eventually suppressed, resulting in significant Palestinian casualties, it became a defining chapter in the Palestinian pursuit of autonomy.

In response, the British government issued the White Paper of 1939, intending to curb Jewish immigration and land acquisition to mitigate Arab grievances. However, this policy failed to fully address Arab demands or appease Jewish aspirations for statehood. The ramifications of the White Paper were soon overshadowed by the advent of World War II, diverting global attention from the Palestinian issue.

The calamitous aftermath of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, referred to as the Nakba or “Catastrophe” by Palestinians, represented another pivotal juncture in the conflict. This war ensued following the British departure and the proclamation of the State of Israel, pitting the new entity created with Western support against neighboring Arab nations. The war culminated in the displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians, creating a profound refugee crisis that persists unresolved to this day. Since then, the creation of Israel and the establishment of Palestinian refugee camps have become a symbol of Israel’s dominance at the expense of Palestinians who have been denied the right to live in dignity on their historic ancestral land.

Over the decades, Palestinians have employed a multitude of resistance strategies in their quest for self-determination. From the early armed confrontations against Zionist settlements, such as the 1936-1939 Arab Revolt and the 1948 war, to the emergence of nonviolent resistance movements like the First Intifada (1987-1993) and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Palestinian resistance has manifested in diverse forms. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), established in 1964 and spearheaded by figures like Yasser Arafat, emerged as a crucial advocate for Palestinian rights on the international stage. Concurrently, the rise of Islamist resistance movements, most notably Hamas, added a new dimension to the Palestinian struggle. Originating as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas garnered substantial support among Palestinians, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Their committed opposition to Israeli occupation, coupled with comprehensive social welfare initiatives and a robust grassroots presence, has established them as one of the most important popular resistance movements in the Palestinian political arena.

Although the intractable Palestinian-Israeli conflict is geographically confined to the territories that Israel acquired to establish its state and the Palestinian territories occupied in the 1947 and 1967 wars, in addition to Gaza and the West Bank, the neighboring parties involved have been profoundly affected by international intervention in support of the Israelis – the oppressor – which has exacerbated the situation and expanded the scope of the conflict. The United States, wielding unmatched global influence, has persistently positioned itself as the paramount arbitrator. In this capacity, it has unreservedly supported Israel through a confluence of military provisions, financial aid, and diplomatic shields, notably leveraging its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to stymie any censures against Israeli actions. This unwavering support has been a cornerstone of US involvement, which has fluctuated in intensity but remained decidedly pro-Israel throughout various conflicts over the decades.

Conversely, member states of the European Union have vociferously championed peace initiatives, frequently advocating for a two-state solution predicated on international law and pertinent UN resolutions. Their support, however, often manifests in rhetorical flourishes rather than substantive intervention, highlighting a dichotomy between their expressions of solidarity and concrete actions.

The stance of the Arab states has significantly evolved. During the 1960s and 1970s, these nations, galvanized through the Arab League, collectively asserted their support for the Palestinian struggle. This era of solidarity, though, gave way to a period of acquiescence under the dual pressures of the US-Zionist nexus. Many Arab governments, confronted with potential devastation at the behest of a powerful US-Israeli coalition, gradually capitulated, aligning their policies with the dictates emanating from Washington D.C. and Tel Aviv, thereby abandoning their earlier defiance.

The quest for peace in this enduring conflict remains an elusive endeavor. The Palestinian people, drawing parallels with the historic trajectories of anti-colonial movements in the 20th century, increasingly perceive that true sovereignty and peace can only be achieved through the resilient and steadfast modalities that characterized the fight against colonial dominance.

The 20th century bore witness to an array of anti-colonial national movements, each challenging the yoke of imperial subjugation in their quest for independence. These illustrious movements underscore a fundamental truth: the road to liberation and peace is seldom facile, often necessitating unwavering conviction and collective fortitude against formidable adversaries. Noteworthy instances include:

African Anti-Colonial Movements

North Africa

Algeria’s National Liberation Front (FLN), which fought against French colonialism
Morocco’s Istiqlal Party, which advocated for independence from France and Spain
Tunisia’s Neo-Destour Party, led by Habib Bourguiba, against French rule

Sub-Saharan Africa

Ghana’s Convention People’s Party, led by Kwame Nkrumah
Kenya’s Mau Mau Uprising and Kenya African National Union (KANU)
Mozambique’s FRELIMO (Mozambique Liberation Front) and COREMO (Mozambique Revolutionary Committee)
Angola’s MPLA (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola) and FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola)
The Mahdi Movement in Sudan, which fought to get rid of British rule.
South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) against apartheid

Asian Anti-Colonial Movements

India’s independence movement, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru
Vietnam’s Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh against French and later American involvement
Indonesia’s struggle for independence from Dutch rule
The Philippines’ fight against American colonialism

Middle Eastern Anti-Colonial Movements

Egypt’s Wafd Party and Free Officers Movement
Iraq’s anti-British movements leading to the 1958 revolution
Syria and Lebanon’s struggle against French mandate rule

Latin American Anti-Colonial and Anti-Imperialist Movements

Cuba’s 26th of July Movement led by Fidel Castro
Nicaragua’s Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)
Various movements against U.S. economic and political influence in the South American continent.

Theoretical and Ideological Influences

Many of these movements were influenced by anti-colonial thinkers and activists, if not by religious thought. For example:

Islamic Thought: Most anti-colonial movements in Muslim-majority countries were influenced by the call to Jihad in the Holy Quran. The Islamic Resistance in Palestine is no different.
Frantz Fanon: Developed theories on culture’s role in anti-colonial struggles.
Leo Tolstoy: His anti-colonial views influenced liberation movements in Africa, particularly through M.K. Gandhi’s adoption of nonviolent resistance tactics.
Amilcar Cabral and Patrice Lumumba, were two African leaders who played a crucial role in anti-colonial movements in Africa. Cabral was known for his intellectual approach to revolution, emphasizing the importance of culture and education in the liberation struggle. Lumumba was an ardent advocate of African unity and sought to rid Congo of colonial influence.
Simon Bolívar, known as “El Libertador,” played a crucial role in the independence movements of several South American countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, which is named after him.

It is important to note that these movements often employed various strategies, from peaceful civil disobedience to armed struggle. They were also frequently interconnected, with activists and ideas crossing borders and influencing each other. For instance, the success of Ghana’s independence movement under Nkrumah inspired other African nations in their quest for self-determination.

The 20th century saw a dramatic shift in the global political landscape as these anti-colonial movements successfully challenged and ultimately dismantled much of the colonial system that had dominated the world for centuries. The Palestinian anti-colonial struggle stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance, intrinsically linked to the ignited flames of myriad heroic movements across the 20th century. This lineage, vibrant with defiance, mirrors the fervor of African, Asian, and American nations dismantling the shackles of colonial rule, and resonates deeply with the revolutionary global calls to realize the sovereignty of peoples and end the remnants of the imperialist world order that is still trying to control the destinies of the largest part of humanity.

Embedded in the landscape of Middle Eastern geopolitics, the Palestinian movement reflects a continuum of defiance and aspiration inherited from its anti-colonial predecessors. Mirroring the strategic audacity seen in African liberation initiatives, it adapts guerrilla warfare and diplomatic channels alike, striving for a national narrative of freedom. This struggle emanates ideological fervor akin to that which rippled through Asian and Latin American revolutions, positioning itself not just as a regional resistance but as a chapter in the global anthology of decolonization.

Thus, the Palestinian cause is a modern-day struggle that cannot be overlooked, liquidated, or ended. It is a living embodiment of the historical anti-colonial era and a testament that the struggle against injustice, conspiracy against peoples, and the quest for global hegemony is not over. It carries the torch of the determined quest for independence, drawing strength and inspiration from the fabric of global liberation battles, signaling a continuous thread of resistance and steadfastness on the global political stage.