Palestinian Tribes, Clans, and Notable Families
This article appeared in the September 2008 issue of Strategic Insights, a bi-monthly electronic journal produced by the Center for Contemporary Conflict at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
Editor’s Note: In recognition of the important (and largely unanticipated) role Iraqi tribes played during the U.S. occupation of Iraq, the USG brought a number of country experts to Washington in July 2008 to comment on the significance of tribes, clans and other extended familial units in the Middle East. The following is the paper presented at that conference by Glenn E. Robinson on Palestinian case.
Introduction:
Palestinian society in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is characterized by three types of clan-like familial structures: tribes, clans, and notable families. While all three share similar extended familial attributes, behavioral obligations (especially on males), informal networks, and honor-shame cultural systems, they are also quite distinct in their origins and continuing importance.
Here is the PDF link:
http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/2008/...insonSep08.pdf
The die is cast, the horses are out of the barn....
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It is hard to argue with the King's logic. We made an ally absorb the cost of forming a Jewish homeland instead of taking it out of German soil.
Berlin didn't seem to have the same cachet as did Jerusalem for those doing the choosing.
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The city has a history that goes back to the 4th millennium BCE, making it one of the oldest cities in the world.[5] Jerusalem has been the holiest city in Judaism and the spiritual center of the Jewish people since the 10th century BCE,[6] contains a number of significant ancient Christian sites, and is considered the third-holiest city in Islam.
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As to Hamas, as a big proponent for the concepts of self determination and popular sovereignty, I believe strongly that we need to respect the will of those populaces who are able to achieve a degree of democratic process sufficient to chose the form of government they desire, and the leadership they want to run it. To believe otherwise would be hypocritical to our own Declaration of Independence.
Mr. Carter presents points to ponder on this debate.
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The international community responded by channeling funds and support to Fatah's emergency government in the West Bank, while hardening its no-contact policy toward Hamas-controlled Gaza. While intended as means to bolster the more politically moderate Fatah this approach is likely to severely undermine the prospects for reaching a two-state solution and for strengthening democracy in Palestine.. Because Hamas enjoys broad popular support among many Palestinians, any efforts to promote peace and democratic institutions will only be sustainable if Hamas is included.
The spiral of intra-Palestinian conflict is unfolding against the backdrop of the long-standing conflict with Israel and the occupation of Palestinian territories by the Israeli army. The Carter Center believes that the single most important obstacle to a viable two-state solution is the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and outposts in the West Bank. A seemingly permanent infrastructure is emerging in the West Bank, characterized by a grid of settler-only roads, roadblocks, checkpoints, and the giant concrete separation wall.
Mr. Kissinger has some points to ponder as well.
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The emergence of Hamas as the dominant faction in Palestine should not be treated as a radical departure. Hamas represents the mind-set that prevented the full recognition of Israel's legitimacy by the PLO for all these decades, kept Yasser Arafat from accepting partition of Palestine at Camp David in 2000, produced two intifadas and consistently supported terrorism. Far too much of the debate within the Palestinian camp has been over whether Israel should be destroyed immediately by permanent confrontation or in stages in which occasional negotiations serve as periodic armistices. The reaction of the PLO's Fatah to the Hamas electoral victory has been an attempt to outflank Hamas on the radical side. Only a small number of moderates have accepted genuine and permanent coexistence.