A Global Palestinian Policy Voice Al-Shabaka in 2017, Looking Ahead to 2018 Dedicated to the memory of Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan, 1929-2017 And to all he has done to build Palestinian capacity to work for justice Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network, is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and foster public debate on Palestinian human rights and self-determination within the framework of international law. Contents Letter from Al-Shabaka 3 1. Analysis to Promote Sound Strategy 5 2. Al-Shabaka’s Policy Team at Work 9 3. A Network that Spans the Globe 16 4. Outreach and Influence, North and South 19 5. Institution-Building and Our Valued Supporters 22 6. List of Publications 2010 - 2017 26 7. List of Members 37 2 A Global Palestinian Policy Voice: Al-Shabaka in 2017, Looking Ahead to 2018 institution during the past several years. Abu Hani also co-founded the Welfare Association (since renamed Taawon) at a time when Palestinians were at one of their lowest points, the exile of the Palestine Liberation Organization from Beirut during Israel’s invasion in 1982. He supported countless other initiatives and he and Leila invested greatly in the education not only of their children and their extended family but also of many other individuals, both through the institutions they built as well as Letter from Al-Shabaka their personal support. This year’s annual report is dedicated to The educators, artists, and creators the Al- the memory of Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan Qattans have helped to nurture are legion. (Abu Hani), who was the first to support By so doing they have contributed not only Al-Shabaka’s mission, and who passed to the Palestinians’ national survival, but away in December 2017, may he rest in also their survival as a people that have peace. As we mourn his loss and extend sustained their human dignity despite our heartfelt condolences to his family, we 100 years of forcible dispossession, also celebrate all that he achieved during displacement, and suffering. Human his lifetime together with his wife, the late dignity is at the core of human rights; it Leila Miqdadi Al-Qattan. For many are is what drives us to pursue those rights those who loved him and who treasure the for Palestinians living under siege and time we had with him. We treasure, too, occupation, within Israel, and as refugees. the lessons he imparted and the support he offered to all the initiatives that he felt Without Abu Hani there would likely have held promise in sustaining the Palestinian been no Al-Shabaka. It was in January people and their quest for rights. 2009 when I met with him at his home in Amman and presented our proposal for Abu Hani was one of Palestine’s towering a Palestinian think tank. We co-founders figures and a dedicated institution-builder. were not modest in our ambitions: We In addition to establishing his own company, envisioned a think tank that would he founded the A. M. Qattan Foundation 20 cross geographic boundaries to reach years ago, with his son Omar leading the Palestinian analysts at home and in exile. 3 A Global Palestinian Policy Voice: Al-Shabaka in 2017, Looking Ahead to 2018 Through this intellectual lamm shamel Italian, Spanish, and German; and built a (ingathering) we would produce policy solid institutional base, growing the staff analysis that tapped the Palestinians’ own complement to eight full and part-time positions and strategies in their richness staff and planning a 2018 budget of close and diversity and, most importantly, in to $400,000. Our progress is spelled out their own voices. And we would ensure throughout this report. that those policies and strategies reached policy communities, the media, and civil In the last few years of his life Abu Hani of- society worldwide, and the Palestinian fered sage advice to Al-Shabaka and the people themselves to support the quest other organizations he supported, urging for self-determination. them to set up an endowment to ensure institutional longevity. He pledged the Abu Hani welcomed the initiative and funds toward an endowment for Al-Sha- provided the seed money for Al-Shabaka’s baka and his children have honored his first two years. He continued to support Al- pledge. We thank Najwa, Hani, Lina, and Shabaka each year while emphasizing, as Omar for doing so, and in turn vow to hon- did Omar, the importance of diversifying or his memory and commitment by pursu- funding sources. And, indeed, many ing Al-Shabaka’s sustainability. generous individuals and foundations have supported Al-Shabaka since those As Palestine and the Palestinians struggle early days, which we greatly appreciate. with the ferocity of Israel’s attacks against their legitimate national rights, attacks Thanks to the faith placed in us, 2017 that in effect seek to undermine the whole has been a year of growth and institution framework of international law in order building. We continued to produce to crush those rights, we have no choice quality analysis; worked with the entire but to redouble our efforts for freedom, network to ensure that Palestinian policy justice, and equality. With his emphasis analysis reached key capitals; piloted on building and supporting institutions new mechanisms for cross-country that meet Palestinians’ needs for physical engagement such as policy circles and survival, that nurture creativity, knowledge, a policy lab; expanded and diversified and excellence, and that protect and the policy network, which is now over preserve our core human dignity, Abu 175 members; enhanced our reach via Hani has shown us the way. mainstream and social media in both English and Arabic and through pro bono Nadia Hijab translation of our analysis into French, President, Board of Directors 4 A Global Palestinian Policy Voice: Al-Shabaka in 2017, Looking Ahead to 2018 …political alienation is not the same as political apathy. Some young Palestinians are seeking new political spaces in which to express themselves. Nur Arafeh writing for the Carnegie Endowment Analysis to Promote Sound Strategy Al-Shabaka’s policy analysis is both discussed different frameworks that could topical and forward-looking. This approach be applied to the Palestinian struggle, and enables us to tackle the most important concluded that apartheid was the most issues of the day while ensuring that the strategic framework to use in the quest arguments and evidence-based policy for decolonization and self-determination. recommendations remain valid long after “To Achieve One State… Work for Two” publication. Al-Shabaka also seeks to called for the narrative to center around move discussion forward on key questions freedom, justice, and equality (the goals to help shape policy as well as the of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions mainstream discourse. (BDS) movement) so as to underscore the Palestinians’ positive vision of the future. In 2017, a series of Al-Shabaka pieces “Rethinking Definitions of Apartheid” made sought to reframe the Palestinian the case that Palestinians must recognize narrative in order to enrich policymaking. apartheid as a system of racial capitalism These included “Talking Palestine,” which and not just racial discrimination. 5 A Global Palestinian Policy Voice: Al-Shabaka in 2017, Looking Ahead to 2018 Al-Shabaka analysis also built on the – such as growing global support for their anniversaries of the year – the 100th of rights – to secure their freedom. the Balfour Declaration and the 50th of the 1967 war – to look forward as well as Efforts to bring together Fatah and Hamas reflect on the past. The Roads Not Taken made headlines in 2017, and Al-Shabaka offered analysts an opportunity to reflect on provided context and assessment, the ways Palestinians might have moved including analysis of whether reconciliation events in a different direction, drawing could “Save the National Project.” lessons for the future, while “The Past is Analysts also looked at the “Pitfalls of ... Still the Palestinians’ Present” investigated Reconciliation” and Abbas’s “Shortsighted Britain’s treatment of Palestinians across Gaza Policy.” the decades. In “Tracking the Trends of the Palestinian Cause,” experts reviewed The actions of US President Donald Trump the half-century since 1967, noting that and his administration also dominated the although the cause has in some ways news, particularly Trump’s recognition reverted to where it stood before the war, of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and his Palestinians can still mobilize resources plan to move the US embassy there. 6 A Global Palestinian Policy Voice: Al-Shabaka in 2017, Looking Ahead to 2018 In “Imposing Peace,” “Trump... and to bring experts together wherever they the Future of Palestine,” and “Options are to strategize on policy approaches for Palestinians,” Al-Shabaka experts to key issues, taking the time they need considered how Trump’s move was the and publishing their analysis throughout culmination of decades-long US policy, its the process. The two key topics that impact on the national struggle, and ways were launched in 2017 and will bear fruit forward for civil society. We followed this in 2018 address Palestinian Leadership up in 2018 with analysis on how Trump and Accountability as well as Narrative has emboldened Israel’s “Annexation and Discourse. Al-Shabaka also laid Crusade,” particularly in East Jerusalem. the ground for an authoritative study to be undertaken in 2018 centering on Al-Shabaka continued to expand its reach dimensions of the Palestine Liberation by producing short policy memos tailored Organization that are rarely addressed. to journalists and policymakers on such topics as “China’s New Plan” to solve In 2017 Al-Shabaka conceptualized the conflict and ways to move “Beyond and piloted a new tool to encourage the Binary” of state solutions.