The phenomenon of Palestinian internal violence

Although it seems Palestinians have always considered inter-Palestinian violence a red line that cannot be crossed, recent armed clashes that killed and injured many citizens in the occupied territories suggests the opposite. Until now the Palestinians have not considered internal fighting a serious threat to our future. We have always lived in harmony as Palestinian people first, united against the Israeli occupation – even with our political differences and disagreements. Many Palestinians consider that the occupation is the main motive for unity.

The Palestinian case is still a victim of various Arab regimes and the regional conflict. International and regional political developments also affect the Palestinian political system and situation on the ground. Palestine is treated as a political, economic and social testing ground. Palestinian society and political forces require regional and international support.

We are witnessing how regional conflicts influence the Palestinian issue, especially now that the Arab world is undergoing critical political transformations with the national and regional conflicts of the past turning to sectarian or religious conflicts. This current has translated into the differing ideological and political principles of the largest Palestinian blocs – Hamas and Fatah.

In my opinion, the weakness of democratic, civilian political cultures prevents us from controlling these power rivalries and keeps the factional political framework as the basis for authority.

Moreover, the weakness of the central authority and its official institutions, the disorder, lawlessness, and the arms chaos phenomenon played out between Palestinian factions, individuals and families – all of this increases the possibility of repeated internal conflicts growing into a widespread phenomenon.

Infighting and power conflicts will lead certain "war merchants," as I call them, to make use the deteriorated situation to increase their influence in society and control the future of the Palestinian political system.

The number of victims of internal fighting starting 2006 reveals that motivations for conflict are still present, creating a seriously dangerous threat to Palestinian society. Arms chaos and disorder may be creating an environment for the emergence of a radical political trend at a time when Palestinian society suffers most from poverty and siege. Such a combination of realities on the ground will lead to the gravest internal erosion.

To control and diffuse all problematic issues and disagreements is an absolute necessity. We need a strategic treatment – with cultural, social political and economical dimensions – to end the primary causes of our internal fighting.

Since an independent Palestinian state was never before established, the possibility of establishing a state in the future depends on only the ability of Palestinians to accept and resolve their differences in a democratic way. This will require a different kind of struggle – one between the Palestinian themselves, this time in search of their points of strength rather than a quest to weaken both others and themselves in the process.

No mass stock of weapons – even if each and every citizen is armed with a rocket –will bring us a state. If we don’t devise a solution to the current crisis by establishing and strengthening our civil and legal institutions, we will not see the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Rajab Abu Sariyya is a Palestinian writer in Gaza.