The Spirit of
Sumud: Resistance,
Culture & Solidarity

Palestinian non-violent resistance is as old as the occupation itself. From the general strikes of 1936 to the weekly demonstrations of Bil’in and the Great March of Return, Palestinians have consistently employed peaceful means to demand freedom, justice, and the right of return. These methods have been met with overwhelming and often lethal force by the Israeli military.

Weekly Demonstrations

• 2005–2020 Bil’in: 15+ years of Friday protests against the wall. 2 martyred, 400+ injured by rubber bullets and tear gas.
• Ongoing Ni’lin & Nabi Saleh: Similar village-based movements. Nabi Saleh is home to Ahed Tamimi, the teenager imprisoned for slapping a soldier.
• 2018–2019 Great March of Return: Weekly mass protests in Gaza demanding the right of return. Israeli snipers killed 220+ civilians, including 45 children, and injured 36,000+.

The BDS Movement

In 2005, over 170 Palestinian civil society organizations issued a call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law. The three demands are:

• End the occupation of the 1967 territories.
• Ensure full equality for Palestinian citizens of Israel.
• Respect the right of return for Palestinian refugees (UN Resolution 194).

BDS has achieved notable successes: companies like G4S, Veolia, Orange, and Airbnb have withdrawn from the illegal settlement economy; over 30 student unions and several churches have divested. Israel has responded by banning BDS activists from entering the country and lobbying for anti-BDS laws in the US.

Palestinian armed resistance is rooted in the right to self-determination under international law. The UN General Assembly has repeatedly affirmed the legitimacy of resistance against colonial and foreign occupation (Resolution 2649, 3070). Throughout the 20th century, Palestinians took up arms in response to displacement, occupation, and the denial of basic rights.

Historical Context

• 1936–1939 Arab Revolt: Armed uprising against British rule and Zionist colonization. Crushed with 5,000+ Palestinians killed.
• 1965 Fatah Established: Yasser Arafat’s movement launched armed struggle against occupation.
• 1967 PFLP & DFLP: Marxist-Leninist factions joined the resistance.
• 1987–1993 First Intifada: Mass popular uprising with stones and civil disobedience, met with “break their bones” policy.
• 2000–2005 Second Intifada: Armed factions and suicide bombings against Israeli military and civilian targets.
• 2007+ Hamas & Islamic Jihad: Primarily in Gaza, rocket attacks and cross-border operations.

Legal & Ethical Debate

International law recognizes the right of occupied peoples to resist, including through armed struggle, provided it complies with the laws of war (distinction, proportionality). Attacks targeting civilians are prohibited and have been condemned by human rights organizations. The debate over tactics remains deeply divisive both within Palestine and internationally.

Palestinian factions argue that non-violent resistance alone has been met with overwhelming force — the Great March of Return, where unarmed protesters were shot by snipers, is cited as evidence. Others maintain that armed struggle has brought greater suffering and international isolation. This internal debate reflects the broader complexity of the Palestinian national movement.

For Palestinians, culture is a battlefield. Under occupation, where physical resistance is met with overwhelming force, the preservation of language, literature, art, and memory becomes a profound act of defiance. This is resistance not with weapons, but with words, colors, and traditions.

Key Forms of Cultural Resistance

• Poetry & Literature: Mahmoud Darwish’s verses are recited at protests; Ghassan Kanafani’s novels are read in refugee camps.
• Music: From Rim Banna’s folk songs to DAM’s hip-hop, music amplifies resistance and identity.
• Embroidery (Tatreez): UNESCO-recognized, every stitch carries history; women weave maps of destroyed villages into dresses.
• Film & Theatre: The Freedom Theatre in Jenin (founded by Juliano Mer-Khamis, assassinated in 2011) continues despite attacks.
• Street Art: The West Bank Barrier has become a global canvas for protest art, featuring works by Banksy and local artists.
• Handala: Naji al-Ali’s cartoon character remains the most potent symbol of Palestinian displacement and refusal to be forgotten.

Education as Resistance

Palestine has one of the highest literacy rates in the Arab world (97%+). Under occupation, universities like Birzeit, Al-Quds, and An-Najah have been repeatedly raided and closed. Yet they persist. In Gaza, students study by candlelight during power cuts. This commitment to education is itself a form of resistance — ensuring that future generations carry the knowledge and identity of their people.

Palestinian resistance has always been intertwined with global solidarity movements. From the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa to student encampments across US campuses in 2024, people around the world have mobilized in support of Palestinian rights.

Key Moments in Solidarity

• 2010 Mavi Marmara Flotilla: Israeli commandos killed 9 Turkish activists aboard an aid ship, sparking international outrage.
• 2015+ BDS Growth: Universities, churches, and pension funds divest from companies complicit in occupation.
• 2021 Sheikh Jarrah Protests: Global protests against forced evictions in East Jerusalem.
• 2024 University Encampments: Columbia, NYU, UCLA and dozens of campuses worldwide saw student occupations demanding divestment.
• 2024 ICJ Genocide Case: South Africa brought a case against Israel, with 30+ countries supporting.
• 2024 ICC Arrest Warrants: Issued for Netanyahu and Gallant — a major step in international legal accountability.

Government Recognition

People-to-People Solidarity

International volunteers have joined Palestinian communities in the International Solidarity Movement. Rachel Corrie (crushed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003) and Tom Hurndall (shot in 2004) became symbols of the human cost of solidarity work. Despite the risks, internationals continue to accompany Palestinians in olive harvests, demonstrations, and daily life under occupation.

Sumud — meaning “steadfastness” — is the foundational Palestinian ethos. It is the daily, unglamorous act of remaining on the land despite every pressure to leave. It is farming olives under the shadow of a settlement, rebuilding a demolished home, and celebrating a wedding next to a checkpoint. Sumud is not passive; it is an active, continuous choice to exist.

Examples of Sumud

• Khan al-Ahmar: A Bedouin village under demolition orders — residents have refused to leave, rebuilding their school and homes repeatedly.
• Masafer Yatta: 1,200+ Palestinians living in caves and makeshift structures after Israel declared their land a “firing zone.” They continue to farm and herd sheep.
• Gaza Fishermen: Despite naval restrictions and repeated shootings, fishermen risk their lives daily to provide for their families.
• Jerusalem Residents: Facing revocation of residency permits and home demolitions, Palestinian families continue to live in the Old City and East Jerusalem.

The Olive Harvest as Resistance

The annual olive harvest (October–November) is the most visible expression of Sumud. Families work together in their groves, often under the protection of international volunteers, while settlers and soldiers attempt to disrupt. The olive tree — ancient, deep-rooted, and resilient — has become the emblem of Palestinian identity and the refusal to be uprooted.

Why Sumud Matters

Sumud is the reason Palestine still exists as a people and a cause. After 75+ years of Nakba, occupation, and displacement, the simple fact that millions of Palestinians still live on their land, speak their language, and practice their culture is a profound victory. As one Palestinian farmer said: “They demolish our homes, we rebuild. They uproot our trees, we replant. This is our resistance.”