Is the West Bank ripe for revolution? | +972 Magazine

Is the West Bank ripe for revolution? | +972 Magazine

 Will today’s demonstrations will turn into tomorrow’s revolution? Mya
Guarnieri speaks to the veterans of the First Intifada to find out.

Is the West Bank ripe for revolution?

Media and politicians have been quick to claim that
Palestinian protests against Operation Protective Edge mark the
beginning of a third intifada. But in Beit Sahour, the town that was the
heart of the First Intifada, some are skeptical that today’s
demonstrations will turn into tomorrow’s revolution. 

Some ten thousand Palestinians marched from Ramallah on Thursday night to Qalandia checkpoint, in protest of Israel’s military assault on the Gaza Strip
and in hopes of reaching Jerusalem. One man was killed and dozens were
injured in what was the largest demonstration the West Bank has seen in
years.

While protesters and observers alike speculate that this marks the
beginning of the Third Intifada, the mood in Beit Sahour – the small,
predominately Christian town that was the heart of the First Intifada –
is decidedly more pessimistic.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, “Nasser,” a Beit Sahouri and
veteran of the First Intifada who was arrested nearly a dozen times for
his political activities says that recent protests in West Bank are
“emotional.”

 

Palestinian
youth burn an Israeli flag during clashes following a protest against
the Israeli attack on Gaza in the Qalandyia checkpoint near Ramallah,
July 24, 2014.
Palestnians marched from Al Amar refugee camp to
Qalandyia checkpoint to protest against the Israeli attack on Gaza.
(Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)