Palestinian political discourse centers on themes of national identity, resistance, and the quest for statehood. Key issues include the rights to self-determination, the return of refugees, the status of Jerusalem, and opposition to Israeli occupation and settlement activities. The discourse frequently addresses the hardships of displacement and the significance of martyrdom in the struggle for independence. Overall, it reflects a narrative of resilience and the demand for international recognition and justice.
Important concepts in MSA Here’s some useful terminology to know if you’re interested in Palestinian politics:
قَصْفْ
(bombardment/shelling) highlights the impact of Israeli military strikes, emphasizing Palestinian suffering and the need for international support and resolution.
نُزُوْحْ
(exodus) refers to the mass departure of Palestinians from their homes, especially during significant historical events like the 1948 Nakba. This term highlights the displacement and ongoing plight of Palestinian refugees, underscoring demands for the right of return and restitution in discussions of peace and statehood.
تَهْجِيْرْ
(displacement) and إِخْلَاْءْ
(evacuation) refer to the historical and ongoing forced removal of Palestinians from their homes, often used to highlight grievances and injustices suffered under Israeli policies.
شُهَدَاءْ
(martyrs) or شَهِيْدْ
(martyr) represents Palestinian individuals who have died in the context of the conflict. This term is used to honor their sacrifice and underscore the legitimacy and moral high ground of the Palestinian cause. Many believe that these شُهَدَاء go to paradise, where they can enjoy a better life.
مُقَاوَمَة
(resistance) encompasses various forms of struggle against Israeli occupation. It includes both armed resistance and non-violent actions such as protests, international advocacy, and cultural preservation. This term symbolizes the ongoing fight for Palestinian rights, sovereignty, and the assertion of national identity, and is pivotal in rallying support and solidarity from within the Palestinian community and internationally.
الْأَقْصَى
(Al-Aqsa Mosque) holds profound significance as both a religious and national symbol. Located in Jerusalem, it represents Palestinian cultural and spiritual heritage and is a focal point in the Palestinian identity. The site is often at the center of tensions and conflicts due to its sacred status in Islam and its location within a contested area. Al-Aqsa’s prominence in discourse underscores the importance of Jerusalem and its holy sites in the broader Palestinian struggle for sovereignty and self-determination. The Palestinian dialect of the Arabic language further enriches the narratives and expressions centered around Al-Aqsa, reflecting its deep cultural resonance within the community.
الْقُدْس
(Jerusalem) is seen not only as a key religious site due to the presence of significant Islamic and Christian holy places, but also as a symbol of Palestinian national identity and aspirations for statehood. The status of Jerusalem remains one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with most Palestinians considering it, or at least part of it, the capital-in-waiting for a future Palestinian state.
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نَكْبَة
(catastrophe) refers to the 1948 displacement of Palestinians during the establishment of Israel.
حَقّ العَوْدَة
(Right of Return) is the demand that Palestinian refugees and their descendants be able to return to their original homes.
اِسْتِيطَان
(settlement) refers to Israeli communities built on occupied Palestinian land.
اِحْتِلَال
(occupation) in the context of Israel’s control over the Palestinian territories varies by perspective. Typically, it refers to the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights, territories captured in the 1967 war. Moderates limit the term to these areas, but some extremists extend it to all Israel, reflecting a rejection of Israel’s statehood.
دَوْلَة
(state) pertains to the aspiration for an independent Palestinian state.
مُفَاوَضَات
(negotiations) refers to peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis.
أَمْن
(security) is a key concern in discussions of state-building and conflict resolution.
مُقَاطَعَة
(boycott) is part of a strategy to non-violently oppose Israeli policies.
هُدْنَة
(ceasefire) is used in the context of temporary peace agreements between Hamas and Israel.
Fidaa al-Aqsa, Fidaa Filasteen! فِدَا
is another common word you’ll hear in the Palestinian context. Some common phrases involving this word Palestine are:
The word فِدَاْ
is also used when a Palestinian is killed or his house is destroyed. The family or friends of the killed Palestinian or the owners of the house may say:
فِدَا الأَقْصَى
/ فِدَاْ فِلَسْطِيْن
/ فِدَا القُدْسْ
(in other words, the death or destruction represents a noble sacrifice for Al-Aqsa, Palestine, and Jerusalem).
The word فِدَاْ
is common in the Levant and is expressed in non political contexts as well, such as when something unfortunate or serious happens. The emphasis is on the safety of the person or thing in relation to this sacrifice, and an expression of endearment and is used to express love and concern for someone. Take the following dialogue as an example:
Son: ماما كَسَرْت الصَّحِن
Mother: فِدَاكْ حَبِيْبِي
In Classical Arabic, فِدَاء
refers to the act of making a payment, often in money or similar compensation, to redeem others or as a form of atonement for failing to fulfill religious duties, where one compensates by paying a penalty or similar restitution.
Vocabulary and concepts surrounding al-shaheed (martyr) All the following vocabularies and concepts are in Palestinian dialect :
شَهِيد
: A martyr. Someone who dies in the way of Allah.
As for the martyr, sometimes they refer to him as العَرِيْس
(bridegroom) instead of الشَهِيْدْ
, and instead of saying جَنَازة
(funeral), they often say زَفّة
which is the procession of a wedding. This is because they believe that a martyr goes to paradise الجَنِّة
and marries the حُوْر العِيْنِ
who are described as beautiful women (large-eyed) in paradise, according to what is mentioned in the Quran. Despite the sorrow and pain experienced by his family, there is a sense of satisfaction and pride accompanying the acknowledgment of this testimony.
By the way, are you familiar with زَلَاغِيْط
or زَغَارِيْد
(ululations)? They are a common tradition among Arabs to express joy on happy occasions. زَلَاغِيْط
involve making unique and cheerful sounds, often produced by women rapidly moving their tongues.
Here are some examples of الْزَلْغُوْطَة
in the Arab world:
VIDEO
VIDEO
In Palestine, it’s not surprising to hear زَلَاغِيْط
at the funeral of a martyr, such as in this example:
VIDEO
Common chants هِتَافَاتْ
at martyrs’ funerals يا أُمّ الشَّهِيد نِيَّالِك يَا رِيت أُمِّي بَدَالِك
يا شَهِيد اِرْتَاح اِرْتَاح واِحْنَا نْوَاصِل الكِفَاح
بالرُّوح بالدَّم نَفْدِيك يَا شَهِيد
بالرُّوح بالدَم نَفْدِيكِ يَا فِلَسْطِين
لا إله إلا الله والشَّهِيد حَبِيب الله
يا أم الشَّهِيد زَغْرَدِي كُل الشَّبَاب ولَادِك
يا شَبَاب انْضَمُّوا انْضَمُّوا والشَّهِيد ضَحَّى بدَمُّه
لا تِبْكُوا عَلَى الشَّهِيد عِنْد الله مَوْلُود جديد
يا شَبَاب انْضَمُّوا إِليْنَا والشَّهِيد غَالِي عَلَيْنَا
باب الأقصى مِن حَديد مَا يِفْتَحُه إِلَّا الشَّهِيد
يا شَهِيد يا مَجْرُوح دَمَّك عُمْرُه مَا بِيْرُوح
يا شَهِيد اسْتَنَّا اسْتَنَّا خُذْنِي مَعَاك عَلَى الجَنَّة
Other chants at Palestinian protests اللهُ أَكْبَرْ.. اللهُ أَكْبَرْ
ثَوْرَة ثَوْرَة عَالمُحْتَلّ وغِيْر المُصْحَفْ مَا فِيْه حَل
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا الله. . .والصَهْيُونِيْ عَدُوّ الله
اللهُ أَكْبَرْ بِسْمِ الله اللهُ أَكْبَرْ بِسْمْ الله
كُلّ الشَعْب كْبَار وِصْغَار والجَمِيْع بِيِرْمِي حْجَار
ويا لِلْعَارْ يَا لِلْعَارْ اليَهُودْ بْتُطْلُقْ نَارْ
أعْلَنَّاهَا سَوِيِّة جَمِيْعْنَا فَلَسْطِيْنِيِة
إسْلَامْ ومَسِيْحِيِّة بْغَزَّة والضِفِّة الغَرْبِيِّة
وِحْدِة وِحْدِة وَطَنِيِّة وانْتِفَاضِتْنَا شَعْبِيِّة
لَكُلْ القِوَى الثَوْرِيِّة وبَدْهَا دَوْلِة وْهَوِيِّة
مِنَ النَّهْر إِلَى البَحْر
مِنْ المَيَّا لِلمَيَّا فِلَسْطِيْن عَرَبِيّة
In conclusion, the political discourse and slogans of Palestine reflect a deep-rooted narrative of struggle, resistance, and aspiration toward sovereignty within a complex and historically charged conflict. Key terms such as قَصْف
(bombardment), نُزُوح
(exodus), تَهْجِير
(displacement), and مُقَاوَمة
(resistance) not only define the contours of Palestinian resistance but also underscore the profound impact of the conflict on daily life and national consciousness. Moreover, the sanctity and significance of symbols like الأقْصَى
(Al-Aqsa Mosque) and القُدْس
(Jerusalem) amplify the cultural and religious motivations behind the political struggle, illustrating how intertwined the fight for national identity is with the preservation of heritage and the pursuit of justice. This discourse, rich with emotive power and historical depth, continues to mobilize generations of Palestinians and shapes the dialogue around Palestine’s future and its place in the world.
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