For generations, young Palestinians were the driving force behind every major change to their society. However, these days the group is shrouded in a thundering silence. A study published in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Tuesday shows that apathy and fear are striving for dominance.

The study, aptly named ‘Promise or Danger’ was carried out by the Palestinian youth forum Sharek (Arabic for ‘to participate’) and focussed on young Palestinians between the age of 15 and 24. This demographic represents about 30 percent of the Palestinian population in the occupied territories. According to the researchers, young Palestinians may be among the most politicised people in the world. Each political party or movement has its own youth wing. And yet, nearly 70 percent of those interviewed said they were not politically active.   

Each generation faces its own challenges. Twenty years ago, young Chinese boldly challenged the Communist regime in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Young Americans took part in mass protests against the Vietnam War and young South Africans founded the anti-apartheid movement.    

Intifada
After the foundation of Israel in 1948, young Palestinians laid the foundation for organised resistance. They formed militias and political parties, and were the driving force behind the first Intifada (uprising against Israeli rule in the Palestinian Territories) in 1987. Their rebellion forced Israel to sit down at the negotiating table, only to be followed by silence.  
 
The researchers say this may be explained by the stifling effect of the Israeli occupation, but do not shy away from self-criticism. The failure of the Oslo peace process and the return of the PLO from exile have paralysed the current generation of young Palestinians. The creation of the Palestinian Authority forced young people back into a hierarchical straightjacket.   

Checkpoints
This would explain why the role of young Palestinians in the second Intifada in 2000 was fundamentally different from the first. They were being replaced with armed militias and confrontations took place at checkpoints instead of in the community. Youth worker Tayseer Mohsein from Gaza characterises the second Intifida as an ‘explosion without direction'. "Most young Palestinians did not play an active role in the uprising."

Sufian Mushasha, a Sharek team leader, says: "The leaders of this uprising ignored the young or used them as pawns in the armed struggle. Fighters who kill and are being killed replaced young people as the symbol of resistance”. Young people had no discernable influence on the policies of these resistance groups.

Disenchantment
The current generation of young Palestinians are turning their backs on politics. Disenchantment with national institutions and the impotence of Palestinian leaders are seen as contributing factors. The researchers say feelings of impotence have taken hold of a majority of young Palestinians.  

Palestinian society is permeated by corruption and ‘wasta' (cronyism). To find a job, you need to bribe someone or know someone with good contacts. Even after crowning a good education with a cum laude graduation, you still need connections to find a job. The researchers write this undermines the value of a good education.

Glass of water
A graduate says: "After completing my studies I applied for a job at the education ministry. I received an email asking me: have you no wasta? You could not get a glass of water in this place without wasta”.

The researchers argue that many young Palestinians are being held hostage by poverty and unemployment. Particularly in the Gaza Strip, these two factors are held responsible for driving young people into the arms of armed groups. Although the finger is also being pointed at the Israeli occupation.

Crucial
The researchers call on young Palestinians to take matters into their own hands and to no longer wait for Fatah and Hamas to finally settle their differences. Nor should they wait for the moment the international community decides to increase pressure on Israel.

In the study’s postscript, the authors write that the creative potential of this group is as big as its potential for destruction and violence. Which is why it is crucial young Palestinians should get adequate means to develop in the right direction”.