At the invitation of CAABU I attended an event on popular unarmed resistance in Palestine by academic and co-author of “Popular Protest in Palestine: The Uncertain Future” by Marwan Darweish.
Dr Darweish is Principal Lecturer in Peace Studies at the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University.
Co-authored by Andrew Rigby the book provides – and I quote
a comprehensive and detailed work which provides a historical overview of Palestinian activism and popular resistance. It weaves the narrative up to the present and portrays the cycle which has contributed to the spasmodic visibility which, unfortunately, has resulted in fragmentation, despite the common anti-colonial struggle embodied by Palestinians.
In the introduction Darweish and Rigby quote a Palestinian activist: “We came alive in the first intifada. Then we died in the second. Maybe now we are being reborn.” The quote summarises the book succinctly, while shedding light upon the dynamics of Palestinian popular resistance, its challenges and its pitfalls.
The meeting was chaired by Andy McDonald MP who has clearly visited the West Bank and is as shocked and appalled as most people by the oppression under which Palestinians struggle to survive.
I was disappointed in Darweish’s presentation. He offered one very poor overhead picture of the Wall and then, I thought, he rambled. I have not yet read his book and was surprised that there were no copies on sale. Perhaps this is now allowed in Portcullis House! It must be worth reading and I hope to do so when I’ve worked through several books already waiting for my attention.
Angela