Michael J. Carpenter is a post-doctoral fellow with Borders in Globalization at the Centre for Global Studies, University of Victoria, Canada. His research interests include participatory governance, civil resistance, Middle East politics, international relations, and political theory.
This is a much needed and meticulous examination of the popular struggle in Palestine in the past two decades. It is critical reading for those who want to draw lessons to advance the struggle for justice and freedom. Mazin Qumsiyeh, Professor at Bethlehem University and author of Popular Resistance in Palestine: A history of Hope and Empowerment Palestinian Popular Struggle tells the stories of ordinary people challenging injustice, of how unarmed and non-militarized modes of popular resistance have supplanted discredited efforts of both armed struggle and negotiations in the Palestinian freedom movement. Using case studies and cogent analysis, the author shows how Palestinian Arabs have defied Western stereotypes through the widespread utilization of democratic grassroots organization and civil resistance, challenging both the repressive Israeli occupation and the corrupt and autocratic Palestinian leadership. This book provides rare and badly-needed hope amid the ongoing occupation, terror, and subjugation. Stephen Zunes, University of San Francisco, USA