To be principled is to understand that an action’s efficiency is solidly intertwined with the non-negotiable state of the principles in which the action is rooted.
Whenever Palestine is trending on the virtual realm of social media, a peculiar phenomenon emerges where outsiders to the struggle are platformed above authentic Palestinian voices.
It's as if being Palestinian somehow undermines one’s advocacy, and distance from the Palestinian struggle may paradoxically grant others credibility.
However, favouring foreign voices over one’s own isn’t a strange trend but a common symptom of a colonised mindset.
Colonisers assert legitimacy when native voices are manipulated, discredited, and gaslit to the extent that the natives internalise the doubt.
No longer trusting their own, The natives swoon over foreign voices that may give their struggle any form of compassion or legitimacy while neglectfully chipping away at their principles until the roots are exposed and vulnerable, and actions become mere performances.
The Thawabit: The fundamental principles of the Palestinian struggle. Composed since the historical resistance against British imperialism and carried forward towards its Zionist extension today.
Reject colonialism in all its manifestations.
Denounce normalisation in all its forms.
Support resistance against the zionist movement by any means necessary.
Free Palestine from occupation by soldiers and settlers, River to Sea with Al Quds as her capital.
Secure right of return for all Palestinians.
Preserve Palestinian self-determination and self autonomy.
To be principled is to be a potent and efficient cog in the machinery of liberation that can only work in unity and on solid foundation.
"Even the Palestinian abroad, if they cannot be radical, they should remain silent and not be a hypocrite. In revolutions, pragmatism & diplomacy are useless." Nizar Banat
To be principled is to uphold the thawabit at all costs and call out any individual who tries to compromise their validity.
"Do not, not even for a moment forget the existence of the occupation or normalise its presence in your life, and if that happens, you are creeping towards treason." Basel Al Araj
The oppressor seeks to compromise our Thawabit by funding unprincipled individuals “Normalisers” who infiltrate our circles and blur our vision for justice towards accepting and normalising our oppressor.
Normalisation: Validating the zionist colony's existence by endorsing or collaborating with an individual, group, entity or ideology that represents any form of “Israeli” aspirations or sentiments
Normalisers: The agents of normalisation, they are positioned as patient zero, they spread detrimental language and imperialist ideologies that are later adopted by those they manipulate and spread through our community to weaken our struggle.
Normalisers instil a sense of hopelessness that immobilises and pushes us to compromise on our demands, reaching for crumps from any helping hand, even if stained with our blood. Spot the flags:
Portraying Palestinians as weak, emphasising suffering over resilience.
Utilising defeatist language to instil helplessness and provoke sympathy rather than action.
Condemning armed resistance to shame Palestinians into pacifism and silence.
Emphasising western identity politics to distract from the unified goal of our liberation.
Adopting two-state terminology for Palestinian land. E.g. W/E Jerusalem instead of occupied Jerusalem, Tel Aviv instead of Occupied Yaffa.
Normalisers employ separatist tactics to break our unity and normalise settlers. They paint our liberation as unachievable or even inhumane to our own oppressor. Spot the flags:
Engaging in debates with Zionists that relegate Palestinian liberation to a matter of debate.
Platforming settlers as “Anti-Zionist Israelis” to separate them from the state and normalise their presence in Palestine as harmless or helpful.
Promoting “joining” the system and rehabilitating it from within, rather than the complete removal of the colonial structure.
Accepting funds from Zionist organisations or ones that uphold Zionist aspirations. E.g. Open Society, J Street, Peace Now.
Be aware, be proactive! Remember that many well-meaning individuals can be misled, as it is not easy to be alert to such manipulative tactics when its designed to be exactly that, difficult to spot and usually sandwiched in emotional pretence that feeds over our vulnerability, and desperate need for camaraderie.
If you notice someone platforming settlers or using normaliser language, Approach them immediately and remind them of the Thawabit. — If you notice someone defending an individual for letting down Palestine rather than defending Palestine from the individual’s shortcomings, urge them to reconsider their perspective. — If they persist, swiftly disengage, refrain from sharing their content, and most importantly inform your peers.
Take back your voice! Stop platforming grifters, normalisers and Zionist funded orgs, call them out when they push for normalisation. It is essential to amplify voices that uphold the Thawabit and avoid those with subtle Zionist affiliations.
We have orphaned our cause, investing emotionally and physically in adopters regardless of their suitability.
Don’t let them call you loud, angry, bitter, spiteful, uncivilised, inhumane.. Remind them that you are just, you are capable, and above all, you are principled.