Palestine and Rule of Power

This book explores how the rule of power relates to the case of occupied Palestine, examining features of local dissent and international governance. The project considers expressions of the rule of power in two particular ways: settler colonialism and neoliberalism. As power is always accompanied by resistance, the authors engage with and explores forms of everyday resistance to the logics and regimes of neoliberal governance and settler colonialism. They investigate wide-ranging issues and dynamics related to international governance, liberal peacebuilding, statebuilding, and development, the claim to politics, and the notion and practice of resistance. This work will be of interest for academics focusing on modern Middle Eastern politics, international relations, as well as for courses on contemporary conflicts, peacebuilding, and development.

“The individual contributions in this edited volume are all well worth a read. … All readers with a contemporary interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should read this book both because it provides a series of interesting approaches to critically understand the top-tier polices and, perhaps more importantly, due to its ability to ethnographically engage with the people living under these systems.” (Jørgen Jensehaugen, Journal of Peace Research, May 18, 2019)

“The volume contributes to ongoing debates on the Palestine-Israel conflict and the role played by the international community and international donors. … This represents a valuable contribution to the established literature on the conflict.” (Flavia Clementi, The International Spectator, Vol. 54 (4), 2019)

“All the contributions of this book are equally interesting and thought provoking … . In summary, this volume presents many new ideas and new approaches, an impressive range of ethnographic research and fieldwork, the use of both quantitative and qualitative work, and to top it off, is thoroughly theory oriented. … Palestine and Rule of Power should be on the desk of every student of contemporary Palestine.” (Helga Baumgarten, Journal of Palestine Studies, Vol. 68 (4), 2019)

“Beata Paragi recommends this volume for exploring the diversity of Palestinian actors, voices and views when it comes to local political demands and modes of resistance. … Palestine and Rule of Power is an excellent volume targeting advanced readers, a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature and a recommended read that explores the diversity of actors, voices and views on the Palestinian side.” (Beata Paragi, LSE Review of Books, blogs.lse.ac.uk, May 30, 2019)

“Palestine and Rule of Power, with its exceptionally fine analytical contributions relying on the highest quality of scholarship, is an extraordinary confirmation of the vitality and resilience of the Palestinian people. It brings to readers an admirably documented understanding of the inner dynamics of the ongoing Palestinian national movement.” (Professor Richard Falk, Princeton University, USA)

“Bringing together an impressive list of scholarly and intellectual talents, Palestine and Rule of Power makes an important and distinctive contribution to that growing body of literature examining features of local dissent and resistance and international governance in occupied Palestine. The edited volume offers a rich menu of food for thought.” (Fawaz A. Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics, is the author of Making the Arab World)


“This rich, timely, and rigorous volume enriches and expands our understanding of the Palestinian question. Thoughtful, historically-contextualized and yet forward looking, the work deftly draws on penetrating conceptual insights to offer remarkably fresh policy perspectives.” (Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou, Professor of International History, Graduate Institute, Geneva) 


“Palestine and Rule of Power makes a significant contribution by assembling a collection of cutting-edge essays that illuminate the present range of scholarship while providing a welcome breath of fresh air. Through rigorous and bold new theorizing, contributors to this book not only describe the changing frameworks for international ethics and action on this grueling conflict but refine and expand on relevant theory to cast new light on its essential political character and potential futures. This volume has a place in any core library on theory of this conflict.” (Virginia Tilley, Professor of Political Science, Southern Illinois University Carbondale) 


“In The Wretched of the Earth, Franz Fanon stated: “The business of obscuring language is a mask behind which stands the much greater business of plunder.” Palestine and Rule of Power rips off the mask of the obscure language that surrounds Palestine and the Palestinian people by analysing the intersection of Israeli settler colonialism and neoliberal forms of rule as a system of oppression. At a time when justice and rights are being cast aside in favour of a victor’s peace, incisive analyses of the cruel and unjust context that Palestinians face in their struggle for survival and self-determination are necessary and urgent. This book is an important contribution to our knowledge about this context, as well as Palestinians’ determination to resist and insist on their right to a life free of oppression.” (Mandy Turner, Director of the Kenyon Institute (Council for BritishResearch in the Levant)


“So much analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict limits itself to descriptions of Israeli strength and Palestinian weakness, leaving the reader to conclude that the only probable outcome is further Palestinian losses and Israeli gains. Palestine and Rule of Power offers something entirely new: a deep and unconventional analysis by cutting edge scholars of the means by which Palestinians can accumulate achievements despite the gross imbalance of power and the complicity of Europe, the US, and the donor community in upholding a status quo that denies them freedom. Every student of Palestinian politics should read it.” (Nathan Thrall, author The Only Language They Understand: Forcing Compromise in Israel and Palestine) 


“In Palestine and Rule of Power, editors Alaa Tartir and Timothy Seidel wrestle with a daunting task: Understanding how each of the pernicious forces of settler colonialism and neoliberalism apply power, and how these forces are intertwined to control and rule Palestine today. But they do not stop there. They have invited seven other scholars noted for their thoughtful analysis and insights to join them in examining not just the force of power, but also the power of resistance. Together with an introduction by the formidable Richard Falk, these essays draw on the literature and on lived experience to dissect the past and present of Palestine, offering a solid foundation to build for the future.” (Nadia Hijab, President, Board of Directors,Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network)


“With all the depressing news coming from Palestine there is a danger that Palestinians and their supporters would fall into despair and defeatism. This brilliant volume shows that the struggle against settler colonialism in Palestine is far from over and that the resistance continues on a daily basis. If readers are seeking an honestdepiction of how the oppressive power operates on the ground in Palestine and more importantly how it is resisted, you cannot ask for a better guide than this valuable and informative volume. Recording the resistance to evil power is by itself an act of resistance.” (Ilan Pappe, Director of the European Center of Palestine Studies, University of Exeter)

Alaa Tartir is Research Associate at the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding, The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Switzerland, and Program Advisor to Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network.

Timothy Seidel is Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Social Sciences and the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University, USA.