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The Reconstruction of the Palestinian National Identity Post-Nakba

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The Reconstruction of the Palestinian National Identity Post-Nakba The Reconstruction of the Palestinian National Identity Post-Nakba Conceptualising the Impact of Fatah’s Rise Through Western National Theory 1948-1982 by Raed Ayad A thesis submitted to the University of East Anglia in partial fulfillment for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies Norwich, December 2017 This copy of the thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with the author and that use of any information derived there from must be in accordance with current UK Copyright Law. In addition, any quotation or extract must include full attribution. Abstract Regional intricacies and rivalries have produced complex social conditions throughout the Middle East. Yet, the study of nationalism and identity has regularly been viewed through a uniform, often Eurocentric lens, which is not wholly applicable to the Palestinian identity. This thesis will explore the Palestinian identity through Western theory, providing a unique look into the reconstruction of said identity post-Nakba. In a geopolitical system, where rights and responsibilities fall within the parameters of sovereign nation states, understanding a stateless nation, namely the Palestinians, through existing approaches can prove to be limiting. Therefore, the author of this thesis will initially attempt to define how the Palestinian identity may fit into modern theory, providing a critical analysis of the manner in which nations are defined. Hence, the approach of this research entails dividing the Palestinian narrative into three nuanced stages post-Nakba; the refugee, the revolutionary and the statesman. Each stage was studied separately, exploring the impact of identity and nationalism theory as the Palestinian narrative developed. Researching the development of the identity, as it evolved through these stages, allows one to understand the base of the Palestinian identity as it’s accepted today. During the initial refugee period the Palestinians were required to look inwards. The construction of identity is a collective formation of those who feel a sense of belonging to one another, and in this case through being excluded from another group. Once this was realised, the Palestinians entered the revolutionary period, during which, Pan-Arab fervour began its decline. Recognising the opportunity at hand, Fatah took control of the PLO and began to separate themselves politically from the Arabs. Throughout the era of the statesman the PLO gained recognition as the sole representative of the Palestinians-by both the Arabs and the United Nations, initiating the PLO’s journey towards recognition by developing a national authority. Table of Contents Introduction 1 Aims and Objectives 3 The Research Questions 7 Hypothesis 8 Complexities of the Palestinian Identity 9 What does it mean to be Palestinian? 13 Palestinian Cultural Identity 15 The Romantic Palestinian Identity 32 Chapter Structure 38 Chapter 1: Literature Review and Theoretical Framework 43 1.1 The Paradox of Identity 43 1.2 The Construct of Identity 46 1.3 Nations and Nationalism 52 1.3.1 Classical Nationalism 55 1.3.2 Contemporary Nationalism 63 1.4 Conclusion 70 Chapter 2: Research Methodology 74 2.1 Ontology and Epistemology 75 2.2 Justification for Use of Idealist/Constructivist Philosophy 77 2.3 Research Strategy 78 2.4 Research Methodology 79 2.5 Shortcomings in the Research 83 Chapter 3: Historical Framework: The Creation of the State of Israel and the Palestinian Problem 86 3.1 Herzl’s Plan 87 3.2 A Land Without a People for a People Without a Land 89 3.3 The French/British Influence 90 3.4 Resistance 96 3.5 1945-1948 104 3.6 The New Palestinian Reality 108 Chapter 4: Pan-Arabism and the Palestinians 113 4.1 Pan-Arabism: Historical Overview 115 4.2 Contemporary Pan-Arabism: The Syrian Social National Party, Baath and Nasser 126 4.2.1 The Syrian Social National Party 127 4.2.2 The Baath Party 129 4.2.3 Nasserism 130 4.3 The Politics of Palestinian Rejection 140 4.3.1 Fatah 142 Chapter 5: The Refugee Problem 148 5.1 Refugees and International Law 149 5.2 Being a Palestinian Refugee 156 5.3 Palestinians in Lebanon 160 5.3.1 The Arrival 161 5.3.2 Restrictions 163 5.3.3 Education 170 5.3.4 Security 174 5.4 Impact on Identity 177 Chapter 6: The Revolution 182 6.1 The Rise of Palestinian Political Factions 190 6.2 The Battle of Karameh 194 6.3 After Karameh 201 6.4 Black September 214 Chapter 7: The Statesman: Diplomacy, Betrayal and Tragedy 222 7.1 Arafat Speech to the United Nations 229 7.2 Initial Relations with the United States 235 7.3 Lebanon and Syria 245 7.4 Arab Day of Mourning 251 7.5 The Israeli Invasion of Lebanon 257 7.6 An Inclusive Identity 265 Chapter 8: Conclusion and Recommendations 270 8.1 The Research Question Reconsidered 270 8.2 The Refugee 272 8.3 The Revolution 273 8.4 The Statesman 276 8.5 The Palestinian Identity 277 8.6 Research Limitations 278 8.7 Future Recommendations 279 Bibliography 282 Appendices 293 Interviews 322 Acknowledgements For the past six years, since starting my MA at the London Academy of Diplomacy, I have set my sights on completing a PhD. Writing and researching a thesis is an intellectual and emotional rollercoaster full of successes and failures. Nonetheless, it is an extremely satisfying process and as the saying goes; it is the journey taken that makes the outcome all the more rewarding. I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I didn’t say that at times throughout the process I felt defeated and without the support of many people I wouldn’t be able to submit this document, I would like to acknowledge some of these individuals. First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Lee Marsden. Since you agreed to take me on as a student you have helped me channel my emotion and attachment to my topic in order to make an academic contribution. Time and time again you ensured I stayed focused on the task at hand while provided outstanding advice, not only on my topic, but, simply stated, on how to write and present a PhD thesis. Secondly, I would like to send my thanks to my secondary supervisor, Professor Michael Skey. I thoroughly enjoyed our friendly discussions on the topic of national identity and I greatly appreciate you supporting my ideas with your extensive knowledge on identity studies. I would also wish to acknowledge Professor Nabil Ayad, the only member of my family who has completed a PhD. Since I arrived on your doorstep six years ago, you laid the groundwork for me to follow in your footsteps academically and have played an integral role in my becoming the man I am today. Additionally, I would like to thank Bassam Abu-Sharif, Afif Safieh, Abdel Bari Atwan, Atif Kubursi, Yusri Shami and Issam Yamani for allowing me to interview them and for their candidness in response. Without mentioning them by name, I would like to thank my close friends in the UK, Palestine and Canada. While many may not thoroughly understand what it is I am writing about, and I don’t blame them, they at the very least attempted to understand, and for that I say thank you. My family. I would like to thank my parents for their patience, for their support and for their sacrifice. Thank you for teaching me and constantly reminding me what it means to be a Palestinian. My older siblings, Ziad and Nehad, though we all lived in different countries throughout much of my academic career, you were both always there to support me. As much as this thesis is for me, it is for my family, I hope I was able to tell your story in a manner in which you would be proud. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the Palestinian people, not only for their steadfastness and perseverance, but for their sacrifice. This is your story, embrace it, share it, and pass it down from generation to generation. Dedication I dedicate this thesis to my nieces: Amal, Haifa, Gemma, Nahida, and Salina. You are the reason why this work matters, be Canadian, be Italian, be Palestinian. They say you will never know where you’re going until you know where you come from. This is where we come from. List of Abbreviations ALA- Arab Liberation Army ALF- Arab Liberation Front BDS- Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions DB- Deuxième Bureau DFLP- Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine EU- European Union EUS- Egyptian Union of Students FPS- Federation of Palestinian Students IDF- Israeli Defence Forces IJM- Islamic Jihad Movement ISIS- Islamic State of Iraq and Syria NPF- National Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine NWC- National Water Carrier PASSIA- Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs PFLP- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine PFLP-GC- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- General Command PLA- Palestine Liberation Army PLF- Palestine Liberation Front PLO- Palestine Liberation Organization PNA- Palestinian National Authority PNC- Palestine National Council PPSF- Palestinian Popular Struggle Front SSNP- Syrian Social National Party UAR- United Arab Republic UNGA- United Nations General Assembly UNHCR- United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNRWA- United Nations Relief Works Agency UNSC- United Nations Security Council List of Maps Figure 1: Sykes-Picot Agreement, 1916 Figure 2: United Nations Partition Plan (UN Resolution 181), Rhodes Armistice Line Figure 3: Arab-Israel Ceasefire List of Illustrations Illustration 1: Examples of Ismael Shammout’s work Illustration 2: Examples of Ibrahim Ghannam’s work Illustration 3: Examples of Naji Al-Ali’s work DECLARATION This dissertation is the result of my own work and includes nothing, which is the outcome of work done in collaboration except where specifically indicated in the text.
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