The Palestinian Body and Israeli Political Malice - Article

The Palestinian Body and Israeli Political Malice
By Hala Eid Al-Naji

In the face of escalating violence and ongoing aggression against Palestinians in Gaza, diverse reactions and calls for action have emerged, urging an end to the systematic killing and war waged by Israeli occupation forces. These responses have taken the form of tweets, social media posts, videos, caricatures, artistic works, and television interviews, among others.

Recently, a group of Palestinian and Arab activists residing across the globe launched a hunger strike to protest the aggression and pressure the international community to intervene and end the war.

According to the official statement by the activists, the hunger strike is a collective, peaceful expression against the violence and genocide targeting Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, 2023. It embodies a form of nonviolent resistance aimed at challenging human rights violations and the silence of the international political community. The campaign seeks to influence decision-makers to take serious steps toward halting the ongoing conflict and achieving a ceasefire.

The Symbolism of Hunger Strikes
The hunger strike, as described by the campaign, involves abstaining from food while consuming fluids, symbolizing self-imposed starvation as a form of peaceful protest. Activists see this act as a natural response to their feelings of injustice and marginalization, stating in their manifesto:

"This tactic intensifies our shared humanity and reinforces our sense of moral responsibility. It transcends cultural and ideological divides, uniting us in a collective movement. Through this hunger strike, we aim to address the international community, which meets our calls for justice with silence and exclusion."
Historically, hunger strikes have been employed worldwide as a powerful form of protest. Figures such as Mahatma Gandhi in the 1930s, Irish Republicans in the 1980s, and South African leader Nelson Mandela in the 1960s utilized this tactic to advocate for justice. The Palestinian experience, however, stands out as particularly profound, especially through the actions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, known as the “battle of empty stomachs.”

One exceptional example is Samer Al-Issawi, whose 227-day hunger strike remains the longest in global history, showcasing unparalleled resilience.

The Power of Disruption
Hunger strikes disrupt the daily order maintained by state systems, highlighting their failure to uphold human rights and justice. Such actions challenge the stability that governments claim to provide, exposing their inability to address the underlying injustices that drive such protests. A government’s silence in the face of such protests invites scrutiny and accountability, stripping it of its claims to ethical governance.

The moral gamble here lies in forcing authorities to confront their failure to act and compelling them to take corrective measures to address the justified demands of hunger strikers. This moral confrontation serves as a litmus test for the ethical integrity of those in power.

Moreover, hunger strikes inject a dramatic narrative into the political arena, attracting media attention and challenging the marginalization of oppressed voices. This act transforms the strikers’ bodies into a stage for protest, forcing the world to acknowledge their demands.

The Palestinian Body as a Site of Struggle
In this context, the Palestinian body becomes central to the struggle. It is both a target and a symbol, subjected to relentless violence and dehumanization. Israeli aggression seeks not only to kill but to humiliate and erase Palestinian bodies, evident in the bombing of homes, targeting of ambulances and hospitals, and even the desecration of cemeteries. What remains are dismembered limbs, charred remains, and bodies stripped of identity.

Despite this dehumanization, the Palestinian body refuses to be silenced. Through hunger strikes, it reclaims its agency and asserts its presence in the global political sphere. The act of hunger striking, though rooted in vulnerability, becomes a powerful tool for resistance, turning the body into a symbol of both suffering and defiance.

Hunger Strikes as Ethical Resistance
Some critics argue that hunger strikes are a form of self-inflicted violence, but this perspective overlooks their profound ethical and moral significance. Hunger strikes are a nonviolent yet radical means of exposing the inhumanity of systemic oppression. They demand moral accountability from the world, challenging its indifference to injustice.

As British activist Emmeline Pankhurst once said:

"Only those who feel an unbearable sense of oppression should adopt such an extreme tactic."
For Palestinians, this oppression is an everyday reality. By weaponizing their own vulnerability, they assert their humanity and demand recognition in a world that often ignores their plight.

A Test of Global Humanity
Hunger strikes not only disrupt the systems of power but also force the world to confront its moral obligations. The outcomes—whether life or death—underscore the desperation and determination of those who refuse to accept injustice.

For Palestinians, hunger strikes are a way of reclaiming their agency in the face of systemic oppression. They are not acts of surrender but declarations of resilience and dignity. The message is clear: if we must die, it will not be as victims of imposed injustice but as individuals asserting our right to exist and resist.

This is a test of the world's humanity. Will it rise to the challenge, or will it fail, exposing its indifference? Either way, the Palestinian body stands as a testament to the power of resistance, demanding justice and a future free from oppression.