Lior, it's very easy now to find information on Palestine to educate yourself. Here is some for you:
The **Palestinian people** have been engaged in a **persistent struggle for self-determination** since the aftermath of **World War I**. Unlike other nations in the Middle East, they faced not only European (British) occupation but also the **Zionist aspirations** for Palestine. The Zionist movement, born out of anti-Semitism and European national movements, envisioned the establishment of an **exclusively Jewish state** in Palestine, which would unite Jews worldwide and grant them citizenship in that state. However, this premise inherently conflicted with the indigenous Palestinian population, leading to tensions and contradictions.
Here are some key points in the history of Palestinian resistance and their quest for self-determination:
1. **British Mandate Period (1920-1948)**:
- The League of Nations designated Palestine as a **Class A mandate**, promising the Palestinian people their right to self-determination and independence.
- Britain, as the mandatory power, failed to administer the territory in the best interest of the indigenous population, hindering their self-determination.
2. **Zionist Movement and Conflict**:
- The Zionist movement sought alliances with imperialist powers (first Britain, later the US) to secure support and protection against the Arab majority.
- The contradiction between an exclusivist Jewish state and the indigenous Palestinian population fueled tensions and conflicts.
3. **Struggle for Liberation**:
- The Palestinian leadership faced challenges in understanding fundamental issues, including the role of the Palestinian people, national unity, alliances, imperialism, transitional programs, and relations with the Hebraic people.
- Over the past 50 years, the Palestinian movement has grappled with these issues, leading to varying strategies and outcomes.
4. **International Recognition**:
- UN General Assembly Resolution 3246 (XXIX) in 1974 reaffirmed the Palestinians' right to self-determination and their struggle for liberation, including armed resistance.
- The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) shifted from self-determination to advocating for a sovereign state in the occupied Palestinian territory.
In summary, the Palestinian struggle for self-determination remains ongoing, shaped by historical events, alliances, and the quest for justice and liberation. ¹²³⁴
Source: Conversation with Bing, 29/02/2024
(1) Resistance and National Self-Determination in Palestine - JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3011292.
(2) Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian .... https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/ps/sr-selfdetermination/2022-07-14/Al-Haq.pdf.
(3) Palestinian right to resist - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_right_to_resist.
(4) Progressive Alliance for Palestine: Palestinians have a right to resist. https://socialist-alliance.org/news/2023-11-21/progressive-alliance-palestine-palestinians-have-right-resist.
