If the international media were to be believed, the only method Palestinians use to resist Israeli occupation is violence. While having explained the history of the struggle and debates over the use of arms and against whom (See Struggle History: 1964–First Intifada), IslamOnline.net will concentrate its focus on aspects of Palestinian struggle which are ignored; the multitude of aspects of unarmed resistance.

However, it is important to deconstruct certain myths about the contemporary use of violence against Israeli occupation.

1- Following the breakdown of the talks at Camp David, the second intifada did not become “militarized” until six months later, when Israel had already launched military attacks against Palestinian civilian populations.

2- While many sympathize, relatively few Palestinians are involved in the armed struggle.

Click here to view a photo gallery on armed struggle.

3- The level of weaponry and explosives available to any armed groups could never begin to present any serious military threat to Israel, a fact that Palestinians are perfectly aware of. Those who support any form of armed resistance believe it would keep their struggle on the international and the Israeli agenda, not that they could actually drive Israelis out of the country.

4- Islamist groups like Hamas do not simply exist to fight; they provide extensive welfare services to the impoverished population, particularly in Gaza.

5- Over time, both Muslims and Christians, secular and religious, have taken part in the armed struggle. Palestine is not simply a Muslim armed struggle. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine leader George Habash was from a Christian family.

6- While having levels of influence in certain sectors of society (and fluctuating at different times), neither Yasser Arafat nor Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) could “stop the militants” if people were behind armed struggle.

7- Whether they personally empathize or not, contrary to Israeli media hype over “terror networks” in Israel, Palestinians living as discriminated citizens in Israel are not involved in organized armed resistance.

8- Those who engage in armed struggle see it as a necessary means to an end, rather than the repugnant suggestion that “Arabs naturally love violence,” as Israeli propaganda puts out. Islamist military groups such as Hamas were formed relatively recently in the first intifada, after people had undergone decades of occupation. Support for suicide bombings is a result of years of oppression and powerlessness, not an inherent desire for martyrdom and bloodshed.

9- There is much internal debate amongst Palestinians about the most appropriate ways of using armed resistance and, as in any society, there exists a whole spectrum of opinions. While some oppose any form of violent resistance as futile, others debate whether attacks should be against soldiers or settlers only or should extend to any Israeli. Does to live on occupied land and to serve in the army for three years (as all Israelis do) make any Israeli a non-civilian? Many civilians, especially settlers, carry weapons all the time. Does this make them legitimate targets? These questions are subjects of debate within Palestinian society and are not issues which Westerners somehow have to point out to Palestinians.

10- For those reading this piece and still feeling critical of armed resistance, the question has to be, what are you doing to try to end the occupation? If you are a citizen of a country whose government gives financial support to Israel, which thus supports the maintenance of an unjust occupation of Palestinian land, directly contravening UN resolutions, how can you criticize a people who are not allowed to develop their own country and control their own destinies?