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Short Abstract

Citizen science in Palestine under occupation has operational, ethical, legal, and safety constraints but is done as a form of resistance and towards sustainable future. Done at small scale in difficult circumstances and with flexibility it provides a form of resistance to colonialism.

Abstract

Citizen science is a powerful tool for monitoring species, building local scientific capacity, and strengthening community stewardship. In Palestine, grassroots biodiversity monitoring (e.g., bird observations, flora and fauna records) has expanded through platforms such as iNaturalist and eBird and local organizations such as the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS). However, carrying out citizen science under occupation creates special operational, ethical, legal, and safety constraints: restricted movement and access to sites, surveillance and data security concerns, asymmetric control of infrastructure, and risks of data misuse. This paper synthesizes published literature, practitioner experience, and regional examples to (1) describe the landscape of citizen science in Palestine, (2) analyze specific obstacles and ethical questions that occupation raises, (3) offer practical protocols and methodological adaptations for safe, robust data collection, and (4) propose policy and institutional recommendations to maximize scientific value while minimizing risks to participants and communities.