Abstract

This book contradicts the dominant myth that incompetent, corrupt, and uncompromising Palestinian decision-makers are responsible for the lasting stalemate in the Middle-East Peace Process. It highlights recent political developments in Palestine that fundamentally redefine important parameters of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Contrary to public perception, new political trends in the Palestinian Territories bolster prospects for the realisation of Palestinian national aspirations. Michael Broning identifies key indicators which fundamentally question dominant Israeli narratives and pose an unprecedented strategic challenge to the Israeli leadership. These include the reinvention of Hamas, the reform of the Fatah movement, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's state-building efforts and the surge of non-violent resistance against Israel.

This persuasive book forces us to reconsider the perceived wisdom that the Palestinians are powerless to influence events as they struggle for peace.
'Few, if any, have spotted the subtle yet positive changes in Palestine as thoroughly'
Jordan Times
'Strongly recommend[ed]'
Agenda
'An excellent contribution in times of political fermentation'
Israel-Palestine Journal
'A lucid analysis of Palestinian politics and much needed food for thought on how to engage Hamas'
Gernot Erler, Minister of State in the German Federal Foreign Office 2005-2009, Deputy Chairman of social democrats in the German Parliament, Berlin.
'Based on extensive research and on in-depth interviews with activists and decision-makers. Politics of Change offers a well-informed interpretation of often overlooked developments'
Maan News Agency
'Provides a new interpretation of recent developments and a comprehensive analysis of non-violence'
Al Hayat Al Jadida
'A much-needed antidote to mainstream writing. He methodically sketches the arc of the Palestinian national movement in the Occupied Territories as it transforms itself from Fatah's secular nationalist approach to Hamas's Islamist nationalism'
Joost R. Hiltermann, Deputy Program Director Middle East and North Africa, International Crisis Group, Washington DC
'Informed, well written, and impressively precise'
International Politics & Society
'A must-read for those who want to comprehend the Israeli/Palestinian elephant in its totality, rather than be misled by a blind grasp of just the trunk, an ear, or the tail'
Khaled Hroub, director of the Arab Media Project, University of Cambridge
'Brilliantly describes current changes and new perspectives emerging in the Palestinian landscape. At the same time, he has captured the stakes and the challenges of Palestinian nonviolent resistance'
Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary General of Palestinian National Initiative, Ramallah