Nonviolent Action Network

An Interview with Mubarak Awad by Olivia Zetter,

Dictatorial states commonly use repression.  Nonviolent movements can prepare and should expect violent repression.  Size, diversity, intensity, solidarity, willingness to sacrifice,  organization, (dis)obedience and noncooperation are some key ingredients to resilience and victory.

In nonviolent revolutions change has to happen when both individuals and the collective feel an urgent need to end the current way of life; to stop the oppression, constant violation of human and individual rights, harassment, and the entrenched feeling of a lack of self-worth.  Thus,  protest is not only a means of achieving political goals, but the action itself became a personal victory  for everyone involved, as we gain a sense of self-worth and the knowledge of our own power to change the situation.

Size:

One of the most important ideas from the first Palestinian intifada in 1988 is simply the vastness of the movement. The Israelis, even with their extensive military, police, and security forces, were overwhelmed by the sheer number of people involved in the Palestinian resistance.   The movement spread through every community in Palestine: cities, neighborhoods, villages and refugee camps.  Both rural and urban areas took up the cause.  This alone forced Israeli reserves to be called up in order to hold back the large numbers of Palestinian protestors.

Diversity:

Furthermore, every segment of society became involved: laborers, factory workers, the peoples unions, and transportation workers.  Women’s groups not only allowed their children to join the movement in the streets, but they themselves followed in order to protect their children, forcing the men in their lives to close their shops and leave work to assist in the struggle and become part of the Intifada.  Every part of society felt that he/she was responsible in making the uprising part of their life today, in ten days, and ten years down the road.

Solidarity:

An attempt at dialogue, a common concept of nonviolent struggles, was also a part of the first Intifada.  Groups within the Intifada were appointed by the movement’s leadership to talk with the Israelis and to open communication that would hopefully put a stop to the abuse.  However, in response the Israeli military increased their authority in many communities, cutting off civilian access to food, water, and fuel.  They meant to send a message to the larger Palestinian community, that if they didn’t behave according to the Israeli military authorities then they too would be stripped of necessary resources.  Yet, within hours Palestinians started bring food and water to the areas in need, showing kindness as a power equal to military force.

Wilingness to Sacrifice:

Another aspect of the Intifada, similar to that of many nonviolent movements, was an increase in arrests of opposition members.  The Israeli military and government began arresting an increasing number of people, including women, children, and youth.  However, the arrests became an incredible strength and motivator for the movement, rather than hindering its progress.  It became an honor to get, and those who were became “heroes” for their cause.   This was due to the fact that when in jail the Israeli government paid to sustain you.  It also increased the amount of guards needed to protect the prisons, decreasing the number in the streets.  Prison also became a vital educational resource for the movement.   People were able to meet with each other, discuss the situation, and focus on how to continue the effort by motivating each other, family members, and friends.

Organization:

The Intefada had multiple layers of leadership. We were prepared for our leaders to be arrested or killed. We had 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th level leaders already agreed upon .  We set up a system for collecting lots of resources from the people including money to continue the struggle.   Our coalitions were a constant challenge but essential. If it isn’t hard, its not really a coalition.

(Dis)Obedience:

All rulers and religious leaders expect you to obey. Through fear, belief, habit, or money.  When someone threatens you or is violent they are trying to control you and your mind. Sometimes we must surrender our body, but never our minds. Legitimate authority should not be easily disobeyed, but sometimes we have to make a choice between our conscience (god’s commands) and our authorities’ demands.  Choose the former.

Non-Cooperation:

Refusing to cooperate with the regime can be a powerful addition to a nonviolent campaign. Palestinians refused to pay taxes to the Israelis.  We refused to cooperate with their laws. Marching in the streets is helpful but not essential to building movement resolve, reducing fear, and presenting a message. Most power is more generally undermined through individual and small group defiance at home, at work (including government workers/soldiers), at mosque, and at school.

Victory is possible:

These factors of nonviolent struggle are not unique to the Palestinian Intifada, but part of every culture and nation that is resisting nonviolently.  People start feeling a need to being trusted by each other.  The welfare of the individual then becomes secondary to that of the many, thus they become willing to be beaten, shot at, gassed, injured or killed, facing violence of all kinds with a strong feeling that they are doing it for a just cause.