Palestinian Image

With 2007 drawing to a close, the Joining Hands for Justice Network has begun thinking toward 2008-2009 programs. Just after the network's re-launch in March 2005, the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) began suffering the devastating economic blow that Hamas elections created. The community has since been going through a new and even more profound sense of isolation than it had ever experienced before.

by Michele and Terry Finseth

Isolation-an economic and humanitarian crisis

Network meetings often had to begin with a period of decompression—where members were given the opportunity to pour their greatest apprehensions out to the rest of the network. Many spoke of their sense of hopelessness in an ever-increasing economic and humanitarian crisis. They expressed their frustration about the fact that they had become dysfunctional as they spent their days putting out fires, unable to concentrate on the issues for which their institutes were founded.

Marginalization by stereotypes

Today, although occupation continues to reign and isolation is still experienced daily, its presence is greatest felt in the relationships Palestinians endure with the world around them. Network discussions inevitably gravitate toward the pain of misperceptions commonly held by the outside world about Palestinian image—perhaps we could all stand accused of turning simple categorizations of certain people groups into stereotypes that serve to discredit and marginalize them, often without our even realizing it.

Institutionalization of misconceptions

Worse yet, is the institutionalization of such misperceptions. Evidence of it can be observed most intensely in word associations and media presentations. Two of our network organizations have media programs and facilities, and they have talked about presentations of Palestinians (and other Arabs) as swarthy, sword-wielding nomads, out to engage in criminal activities. Their more recent depiction is that of terrorists (a word association that has become synonymous with Palestinians), armed with explosives and furtively looking for a group to bomb.

Transforming the image....one person at the time

In a two day planning retreat held in October, the network began brainstorming about possible programs we could undertake that would expose outsiders to the many wonderful aspects of Palestinian culture, and at the same time, dismantle negative misconceptions. Through the network’s resourceful thinking we’re now looking forward to some new and exciting program possibilities that demonstrate a creative and patient people who, despite endless obstacles, hold great hope, and are willing to invest in changing other’s perceptions of them…one person at a time.

Only through education and advocacy can change be affected—it is not simply an issue of our feeling compassion for a people besieged, but about willingly stepping out and placing ourselves in positions of learning about others, even if we’ve previously held negative notions about them.