Contribution short abstract:

This paper examines the construction of sectarianism among Palestinian citizens of Israel through ethnographic research in Shefa-‘Amr. It seeks to challenge the Israeli and colonial hegemonic narratives, highlighting the role of Israeli academia in silencing counter-knowledge.

Contribution long abstract:

Palestinians, survivors of the Nakba of 1948 who became Israeli citizens, grapple with their liminal situation, shaping their socio-political evolution. Comprising about 17% of the population, they have been subjects of academic scrutiny, mostly influenced by Zionist political hegemony.

Examining phenomena such as sectarianism among Palestinian citizens of Israel has predominantly followed the modernization approach, shaped by Israeli-Zionist hegemony. This perspective views sectarianism through an essentialist lens, portraying it as an ahistoric phenomenon aligned with the broader hegemonic viewpoint that frames Palestinians as religious minorities within a de-nationalized Palestine.

Despite contributions from critical scholars offering counter-approaches, these often attribute such phenomena solely to settler-colonial control, emphasizing elimination mechanisms. However, they frequently overlook techniques like “cooptation” and “fragmentation” of the native.

This paper traces the reshaping of sectarianism within the Palestinians through ethnographic research in Shefa-‘Amr. Exploring relationships between settler colonialism and sectarianization, it emphasizes the roles played by the state, local elites, and society's daily practices.

The case of Palestinian citizens of Israel provides a distinctive study for examining complex colonial mechanisms, including the social re-engineering of the native—elements that have received limited attention. Aiming to contribute to critical Palestinian anthropology and the production of counter-knowledge, the study challenges hegemonic academic narratives concerning Palestinians.

The paper broadens the discussion to address the role of Israeli academia in legitimizing colonial power relations in Palestine and silencing attempts to produce counter-knowledge. It also explores how these dynamics have been manifested in light of the ongoing genocide, questioning the possibilities of decolonizing knowledge.