Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 09/2012

Palestinian youth and the Arab Spring

Mona Christophersen, Jacob Høigilt

March 2012

Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre

Abstract

This report investigates young Palestinians’ views of their economic and political situation and their interest and level of engagement in politics with reference to two momentous political events in 2011: the Arab Spring and the Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. A main question is whether the Occupied Palestinian Territories are experiencing a reinvigoration of youth activism. The findings suggest that Palestinian youth have largely exited from politics, prioritising personal affairs (family and job) when considering the current situation and their future. They are unhappy with a difficult job situation, although West Bank youth express more optimism about the future than young people in the Gaza Strip. Corruption and political favouritism are experienced as a major problem on the personal level in both areas.