Why don't Palestinians embrace non-violent resistence?
You've probably heard this question asked a lot over the past 2 weeks.
A short response. A🧵.
From late 1987-1988, Palestinians in Gaza rose up in a series of non-violent demonstrations, strikes, boycotts & protests. They killed 0 Israelis. They were unarmed.
In response, Israel killed 142 Palestinians in Gaza.
Source: Jean-Pierre Filiu, Gaza: A History (2014), 206.
In 2005, Palestinians organized a non-violent movement, Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS)
In response, Israel:
1. said the movement's true goal is to destroy Israel
2. called BDS supporters antisemitic
3. Punished its founder w/threat of displacement haaretz.com/israel-news/20…
In 2008 & 2009, the residents of Ni'lin, in the West Bank, protested non-violently every week against the expansion of the separation barrier that was confiscating their land.
In response, Israel killed Ahmed Moussa on 29 July 2008; Israel killed Yousef Aqel Srour on 5 June 2009
In 2003, unarmed Palestinians in Bil'in organized weekly protests against the separation barrier that was confiscating their land.
In 2009, Israel killed Bassem Abu Rahmah w/a shot in the chest; in 2010, it killed Jawaher Abu Rahmah, who died from tear gas inhalation.
Beginning in March 2018, tens of thousands of Gazans marched to the fence, unarmed, demanding the right of return. Israel killed 223 Palestinians & Israeli snipers left 6,106 Palestinians with life-changing wounds. Not a single Israeli experienced any major physical harm.
These incidents represent a tiny fraction of Palestinian non-violent resistance.
In the vast majority of cases of Palestinian non-violent resistance, Israel responds w/ lethal & disproportionate violence.
And you wonder why a tiny number of Palestinians have turned to violence?
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