Academic Paper: The Palestine Issue in the Balance of the Arab Spring: Operation Al-Aqsa Flood as a Catalyst for Arab Popular Mobilization (Arabic)

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Al-Zaytouna Centre has published an academic paper, in Arabic, titled “The Palestine Issue in the Balance of the Arab Spring: Operation Al-Aqsa Flood as a Catalyst for Arab Popular Mobilization,” by Dr. Ahmad Fawwaz Ibrahim and Dr. ‘Abdul Qadir ‘Abdul Mu‘ti al-‘Izzah.

In the Arab psyche, both individually and collectively, the Palestine issue has never been merely a slogan or a symbol of Palestinian grievances. Beyond the deep-rooted sense of suffering since 1948, it remains a driving force and a moral compass for Arab and Islamic identity. Arab peoples have embraced it as a top priority, mobilizing various efforts to resolve the issue or, at the very least, alleviate Palestinian suffering by all possible means.

The study observed that the Palestine issue experienced an unprecedented lull in the last quarter of the decade of the Arab revolutions, as Arab political regimes began prioritizing national interests over the central issue. Consequently, the Palestine issue became fragmented, reduced to narrow concerns such as aid and financial grants, while its core issues were neglected. This shift paved the way for normalization with Israel, and as a result, the regimes became increasingly disconnected from their societies, drifting away from the aspirations of unity and liberation—the Arab dream.

The study suggests that the event of 7/10/2023 marked a turning point, blending the solidarity of the Arab peoples with Palestine and their local demands. This combination of regional support and domestic grievances has the potential to trigger an explosive moment within national systems, particularly in the countries surrounding Palestine. Both the short- and long-term effects are influenced by the quantitative accumulation of public anger, stemming from unresolved local and national demands, coupled with a deep lack of trust in the political system—encompassing the government, parliament and judiciary. This situation could lead to a new wave of Arab protests that the regimes may struggle to control.

The study highlights that these indicators may serve as a warning to Arab political regimes, signaling that the Arab peoples are capable of shifting from a state of passivity (such as boycotts or solidarity) to one of emotional unrest and protest against the regime, potentially destabilizing the country. While the study argues that the precise timing and location of such an eruption cannot be predicted, it asserts that such an event—like the October 7, 2023 “Operation al-Aqsa Flood”—will inevitably lead to the destabilization of the political system.
The study aims to investigate whether the Palestine issue played a role in the Arab Spring revolutions, with a particular focus on examining Operation al-Aqsa Flood and its subsequent contribution to the Arab popular movement.

The study employed a descriptive and analytical approach, utilizing historical analysis of relevant facts, along with the study and analysis of reports, statistical data and bibliographies related to the research topic and scope defined by the study’s title. Addressing the topic required dividing it into two main sections. The first section examines the symbolism of the Palestine issue within the Arab Spring, highlighting its role as a central issue driving popular mobilization. The second section explores the Arab peoples’ perception of resolving the Palestine issue as a fundamental demand, alongside their broader calls for freedom and justice within their own countries.