The Rise and Fall Of the Palestinian Left
A book by Palestinian writer Jamil Hilal charts the rise and fall of leftist forces in Palestine, and asks what the future holds for them, writes Hazem Balousha.
Leftist and independent Palestinian forces failed to seize a golden opportunity to establish themselves in the Palestinian street during the recent row between Fatah and Hamas. Instead, Palestinian politics has become more entrenched than ever before in the bipartisan party system.
In the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, secularist Fatah and Islamist Hamas have managed again to monopolize power politically, financially and on the ground. This stems from the inability of other groups, especially the leftists, to create a movement capable of challenging these two parties’ grasp on power in Palestine.
Former leftist leaders failed in their attempts to form a third power base in Palestine and mobilize public support to become a formidable presence on the ground.
George Giacaman, a lecturer at Birzeit University, said that a third force hasn't emerged in Palestine because of an inability to mobilize the masses, despite the attempts made in this regard by well-known leaders among the Palestinian people. "People are distancing themselves from political parties in Palestine," he said. "Party affiliates are no longer convinced of the effectiveness of the parties and their ability to influence events. Party failures in matters of national importance have led many to leave the parties and other political organizations."
