The Future of Palestinian Identity

Book excerpt: During the 1948 Nakba, around three quarters of a million Palestinians were driven out of their homes and became refugees. Since then, they have not been allowed to return to their homeland, but have not given up. Originally concentrated mainly in neighbouring Arab countries, they have, in their attempts for survival, spread throughout the world, and are now found in most European countries, the United States, Canada, and several South American countries. This book is a result of a conference held on the theme of “the Future of Palestinian Identity”, which resulted from a prevailing feeling among Palestinians, both academics and otherwise, that Palestinian identity seems to be suffering from a state of weakening and retreat. The conference was intended to increase awareness of the dangers threatening Palestinian identity. As a result, the contributions to this volume study, analyse, and suggest solutions to the problems facing Palestinian identity today, and centre around four main themes, namely: the history of the emergence and development of Palestinian national identity, considering the circumstances which led to its emergence and the main stages in this development; the constituent elements of Palestinian national identity, looking at what makes a person Palestinian and the shared symbols of Palestinian identity; the extent to which a shared Palestinian identity is necessary; and the future of this identity. Contributors include both Palestinian and international scholars.