Palestinian activists made a clear statement on the situation in Syria yesterday, beginning a new chapter in an increasingly bitter debate over the power of narratives in the war.
In a statement entitled “On the allies we’re not proud of: a Palestinian response to the troubling discourse on Syria,” more than 100 activists clarified their clear opposition to the Assad regime, and reiterated solidarity with those Syrians fighting against it.
The statement also made clear its opposition to writers, activists and analysts whom the signatories accuse of failing to recognize the concerns of those Syrians living under siege in their own country.
On the Allies were not proud of: A (long overdue) Palestinian response to the troubling discourse on Syria https://t.co/HLkyJXR4OA
— لينة (@LinahAlsaafin) 11 October 2016
Expressing concerns with “some of the discourse that has emerged from progressive circles with regards to the ongoing crisis,” it adds that “some individuals known for their work on Palestine have failed to account for some crucial context in their analysis of Syria”.
It continued, “Any discussion of Syria that neglects the central role of Bashar Al-Assad and his regime in the destruction of Syria directly contradicts the principles of solidarity by which we abide.”
Important statement by Palestinians calling out the 'troubling discourse' of prominent Palestine allies on Syria https://t.co/CH5U9xrCCL
— Daniel Wickham (@DanielWickham93) 12 October 2016
The statement follows months of argument among left-wing activists over Syria.
In the course of their analysis of the five-year-conflict, some pro-Palestine writers have questioned the legitimacy of the Syrian revolution and suggested foreign intervention is behind opposition to Assad, or held back from criticizing the regime.
Many of these writers have been consequentially slammed for “Assad apologism” by other activists, who believe that the brutal crackdown and bombing of a grassroots-led uprising in 2011– a revolt which followed decades of dictatorship and oppression – is at the heart of the Syria crisis.
Recently the public disagreements became more heated. Last week, an article by pro-Palestine activist and journalist Max Blumenthal caused particular outrage, by suggesting the White Helmets, a team of volunteer rescuers working in rebel-held areas, and the advocacy group the Syria Campaign were pressing for regime change partly as a result of shady influence from the US.
Many activists praised the “On the allies we’re not proud of” statement, which was widely shared on social networks yesterday.
True activists stay on the side of the people, always. Much respect to the signatories https://t.co/vIqHUfvXWU
— Christina Abraham (@ChristinaAbe) 12 October 2016
Yes. Because we're done with the troubling discourse. https://t.co/Ne4sGfhHnW
— مريم البرغوثي (@MariamBarghouti) 12 October 2016
But the statement was criticized too, and from several angles. Some were worried about it sowing discord, or said the statement amounted to boycott – a charge the organizers and signatories denied.
If ur calling on people not to work with certain unnamed individuals then publish a list of names so they heed your call
— Zalameh (@BDS4Justice) 12 October 2016
People rush to shunning, exclusion and punishment as a diversion from our own participation in creating conflict.
— sarah schulman (@sarahschulman3) 18 November 2015
Whether the statement has clarified the raging debate over Syria among pro-Palestine activists, it’s clear that it won’t die down anytime soon.
BS
