Is the death of Palestinianism greatly exaggerated?

Submitted by Peter (United States), Dec 26, 2007 at 18:18

This is an interesting post, but raises the question of whether the departure of a few leaders (Nabil Sha'ath, Mohammed Dahlan, and Hassan Asfour) really constitutes the death of Palestinian nationalism per se. Does it? Or are others taking their places?

Also: this is the first place I've seen the term "Palestinianism" used, presumably for "Palestinian nationalism." Does this term have a wider currency? Are Palestinians (or their supporters) using it? What do you mean by it, exactly? (If something other than Palestinian nationalism?) Would you not say that the goal of Hamas and Fatah (each in its way) is not Palestinian statehood? (Even if they may differ on how many dead Israelis may be necessary to achieve it ... and that's a big if.)

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Daniel Pipes replies:

Your first question is more for Rubinstein than for me. On your second question: By "Palestinianism," I mean "Palestinian nationalism," with an emphasis on the cult of Palestine. Hamas does not partake of that cult.