Response to A Force More Powerful reading - chapter 11

 

This chapter brings to attention the conscious practice of nonviolent resistance, highlighting a significant change from an armed confrontation. To express their anger at the Israeli occupation forces and to petition for their rights, Palestinians including women and youth organized boycotts, strikes and civil disobedience. Organized grassroots movements can be very effective when challenging those in power. Despite the huge imbalance of power, Palestinians resisted through public defiance and non-cooperation. The uprising showed how ordinary people can be moved and circled in nonviolent struggles, gain global support, and use political and moral pressure.

Moreover, the Intifada exposed some of the weaknesses of resistance through peaceful means in such environments. Its non-violent character was dominant but there were however some actions that could not be altogether positive and made it rather difficult to uphold discipline and unity within the cause. Materializing the resistance involved a lot on the part of leadership in bringing different warring factions together as one.

The chapter explores the way we understand dramatic development and how trauma structural change would reopen the prospects for Razan political discussion. It provides a strong notion of the focus of the book that even the deep and stubborn conflicts can be solved by direct action if it is consistent and organized.