|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.inss.org.il/upload/(FILE)1335769071.pdf
What Palestinians Are Discussing on the Social Networks
(Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Udi Dekel and Orit Perlov - According to the debate on Palestinian social networking sites, the relatively calm security situation in both Gaza and the West Bank is in part a function of two insights that are growing increasingly stronger among the Palestinians. First, past experience proves that it is precisely escalation that serves Israel's interests and over time harms the Palestinian population. Second, even Egypt and the advocates of change in the Arab world are not encouraging escalation against Israel. Their focus lies on the domestic situation, and at the present time there is little tolerance for violence based on terror and military actions. The internal Palestinian debate focuses on issues of social justice, political rights, civil rights, and human rights. National issues and processes of state-building have become of secondary importance. Criticism is directed toward the current Hamas and Fatah leaders who are out of touch with the needs of the average citizen and who demonstrate both disinterest and an inability to provide a solution to current problems.