MA results and thanks!

The original purpose of my to the West Bank was to learn about Palestine in order to write my dissertation for my Masters degree in Peace Studies at Lancaster University's Department of Politics and International Relations. The marks for the masters degrees are being sent to us next weekend and then I'll find out how I've done. Regardless of whatever result I get I think its appropriate to use this opportunity to thank everyone who made my time in Palestine possible and for everyone who helped me by providing information and hospitality. What I've gotten out of this process has been worth more than any qualification ever could be. The strongest of friendships have been forged and I am grateful for every single one of them.

What I have learned, in some small way, is the perspective of a landless nation and an occupied people in perhaps the world's most infamous conflict. Some of what I saw was frightening, some of it filled me anger and some, like the constant non-violent resistance at Bili'n is simple awe inspiring. I will continue to do what ever I can to rouse people's attention in my own country and hopefully, where ever else I end up.

Obviously it would be unwise for me to copy any of the actual content of my dissertation up on the Internet, however I think it would be nice just to show the Abstact and Acknowledgments from the preamble, and to say again no matter how it turns out... THANK YOU!

Youth and the Palestinian
Resistance in the West Bank

by Philip Leech
(candidate for MA in Peace Studies, Lancaster University,UK, 2007.)

Abstract

This dissertation presents the argument that youth involvement in resistance in the West Bank is complex and multi-faceted yet is predominantly non-violent. It has been based predominantly on primary research in the form of interviews and other data I gathered during a two month research trip in the West Bank in 2007. From the structuralist school of conflict theory we discuss the way in which the material and ideational conditions affect not only how young Palestinians resist the occupation by also why. The concepts of ‘rational choice’ (Simon: 1955) and structural conflict theory (Galtung: 1996) are applied a detailed empirical discussion
on the nature of the occupation, its affects on young Palestinians and the most prevalent forms of resistance. The analysis of youth participation in resistance is then presented through the frameworks of different conceptual narratives (Khalili: 2007) and with reference to the various ways in which the affects of the occupation are opposed or overcome by young Palestinians. The dissertation concludes by confirming the validity of the structuralist argument and accounting for the predominance of non-violence as resistance in the West Bank.

Acknowledgements

My greatest debt of gratitude for this dissertation is to the every Palestinian, young and old, who were kind enough to assist me in my research by sitting for interviews, guiding me round cities, translating discussions, offering me advice, introducing me to the rich culture of the West Bank and most of all, for being so friendly and making me feel extraordinarily welcome.

I would also like to express enormous thanks to Ms. Sophie Richter-Devroe (Exeter University) for her suggestion of visiting the West Bank, her Arabic lessons and her exceptional guidance, and to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Leech who have been wonderfully supportive in all kinds of different ways (not least, by worrying about me while I was in the West Bank and not telling me too often!).

My Thanks Also to:

Ms. Emily McNeill (Ithaca University)
Prof. Gerd Nonneman (Exeter University)
Ms. Laura Ribeiro (Right to Education Campaign, Birzeit University, Palestine)
Ms. Anita Sivakumaran (Lancaster University)
Ms. Catherine Leech
Dr. Amaledu Misra (Lancaster University)
Prof. Chris May (Lancaster University)
Mr. Aidin Fathalizadeh (University of California, Berkeley)
Ms. Aya Lowe (University of Edinburgh)
Dr. Muna Giacaman (Birzeit University, PAS Programme)
Ms. Hanadi Abu-Taha (Birzeit University, PAS Programme)
Mr. Kareem Rabie (The City University of New York, Graduate Center)
Ms. Nadine Kreitmeyr (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Instiute)
Mr. Christopher Ferris Zabaneh (University of Queens, Canada)
Mr. Thomas Marring
Ms. Angelique Thomas (Reed University)
Ms. Stephanie Nolen (The Globe and Mail, Canada)
Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadi (Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs)
Ms. Joanna Beituni (Saint Xavier University)
Ms. Rima Manasra (Exeter University)

In accordance with my general policy of anatomy for Palestinian sources, I would like to
acknowledge the generous help given to me by the following people, without listing their
names:

Particular thanks to the head of volunteers for the PAS Programme at Birzeit University and to my guides in Hebron,
The Department for Education, Tulkarem District,
The Teachers Union, Tulkarem,

The Staff of:
The Olive Cooperative (Manchester, UK),
The PAS Programme (Birzeit University),
Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs, (East Jerusalem),
Right to Education Campaign (Birzeit University),
Department for Politics and International Relations (Lancaster University),
Al-Haq Centre for Human Rights (East Jerusalem),
The Health Works Committee (West Bank),
Ibda Cultural Centre (Dheisheh Camp),
The Freedom Theatre (Jenin Camp),
The Community Centre (Jalazone Camp).