West Bank uprisings dampened by PA
The Palestinian Authority has maintained its stiff opposition to mass movements and protests, ensuring quiet on the West Bank front despite the war in Gaza.
The West Bank saw sporadic unrest during the Gaza war, but it is unlikely to develop into a full-fledged popular uprising largely due to the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) opposition to large-scale protests.
In addition to relief aid, fundraisers and donations, the activities in solidarity with Gaza that are taking place in the West Bank can be divided into four basic patterns:
- Local demonstration and protest marches
- Major central mass marches seeking to mobilize popular movement like the Arab Spring protests
- Boycott of Israeli products
- Violent confrontations against settlers and Israeli soldiers.
But can these activities shift toward a broader mass movement and uprising? A closer look at each activity might help better understand the situation.
Regarding local protests, one of the main problems faced by the protesting Palestinian youth is that the occupation forces are no longer deployed in the heart of densely populated cities and regions, according to the arrangements of the security coordination with the PA. This has deprived confrontations of their traditional impetus and drive, unlike the situation during the pre-Oslo period.
