Summary of the opening session of the "Strategic, Intellectual and Political Forum for Palestinians inside the Green Line", held in early February 2025, as part of a project to develop a collective vision in response to current challenges.
As stated in the concept paper, the forum comes at a critical juncture in the history of Palestinians inside the Green Line. Its goal is to collectively reflect and explore ways to develop political discourse and action in the midst of the radical transformations that are sweeping through society. The idea of setting up this forum was first proposed in the summer of 2022, after Mada al-Carmel, through a series of in-depth studies, concluded that any analysis of the current moment would be incomplete without first conducting a thorough examination of the structural political, social and economic transformations within Palestinian society inside the Green Line over the past two decades. The onset of the war of genocide has made the need for such a process even more urgent, as recent events—particularly the genocidal onslaught on Gaza—have brought to light deep-seated problems within the Palestinian political system inside the Green Line. A notable state of political and social stagnation and withdrawal prevailed during the first months of the Israeli assault, underscoring the needs for a comprehensive reassessment of the very concept and tools of collective political action, with particular attention to the implications of these developments for the Palestinian national project as a whole.
The forum will establish a strategic, thinking group tasked with analyzing the political, social, and economic changes that Palestinians in Israel have undergone over the past two decades. Its aim is to rethink this reality, collectively, critically, and strategically, with a particular emphasis on the importance of political action in confronting escalating Israeli repression. The forum also seeks to create a space for dialogue in which to reevaluate the Palestinian social contract and develop a renewed vision for Palestinians inside the Green Line, their position within the Israeli political system, and their relationship to the broader Palestinian national project. We anticipate that these collective intellectual endeavors and research will culminate in the publication of a political statement grounded in an analysis of current transformations, and identify practical strategies, as well as points of caution, for the coming phase. In addition, the forum will produce a guide to Palestinians in Israel, to serve as a reference point for the current period and enriched by the internal the discussions within the thinking group. In short, while this initiative seeks to deepen understanding of these transformations, our current reality demands action than goes beyond mere analysis, especially in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, a pivotal moment that ushered in new political realities.
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The concept paper for the project was presented during the session. The document addresses political, social, and economic transformations within Palestinian society inside the Green Line, with a focus on relations with the Israeli state and the impact of fragmentation on Palestinian identity. The discussion also inquired into shifts in the concept and approaches of Zionism, as well as Israel’s policies of control and containment, as manifested in political repression, the targeting of those who stand at the social margins, and the exploitation of organized crime to damage the Palestinian social fabric.
Looking from the international perspective, the paper noted that the Palestinian cause has regained momentum through active social and global solidarity movements, though a unified Palestinian leadership that is capable of harnessing this momentum remains elusive. It also raised questions about the future of political discourse within the Palestinian community inside the Green Line, proposing five main themes for discussion: political transformations, social and economic changes, relations with the state, the role of Palestinian civil society, and regional and international developments. The paper underlined the importance of analyzing the past in order to better understand the present, rather than focusing on envisioning the future without reckoning with the origins of the current situation.
The discussions that took place during the sessions touched on several key issues related to the Palestinian social and political reality. Participants emphasized the need to build alternative, realistic strategies in light of the current state of political deadlock and the absence of collective action, especially in the aftermath of October 7, 2023. The discussions also dealt with the limited roles played by existing political and organizational structures, the importance of education as a strategic tool, and the vital role the younger generation has to play in reformulating political activism. Other topics included the ways in which silence and fear of punishment exacerbate the fragmentation of society, the relationship between Palestinians inside the Green Line and the wider Palestinian national movement, and the impact of pressing social issues on the broader political landscape.
To read the concept paper for the forum, click here.
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