Displacement in the Thought of Abdel Wahab El-Messiri: A Critical Analytical Perspective

Abstract

The Palestinian question has long stood at the heart of Arab, Muslim, and global concerns, gaining renewed urgency in the wake of the events of October 7, 2023. Rooted in conflicting historical narratives, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to revolve around competing claims to truth and legitimacy. This study explores the concept of displacement as a central theme within this conflict, particularly in light of the ongoing Gaza crisis. The recent developments challenge Israel’s assertions that no policy of forced displacement exists and that Palestinian migration is voluntary. Despite recognition by the United Nations of Palestinians as the indigenous population of the land, their continuous displacement remains inadequately documented and insufficiently addressed at both international and political levels. Dr. Abdel Wahab El-Messiri, a prominent Arab intellectual and scholar, devoted much of his academic and intellectual efforts to analyzing the Palestinian issue within a broader global framework of displacement and colonialism. By analysing his writings, lectures, and media engagements, we will highlight how El-Messiri systematically deconstructed Zionist narratives, exposing historical distortions and foregrounding the lived experiences of Palestinians since the 1948 Nakba. His writings will show that Palestinian displacement is endured despite successive peace initiatives and international mediation efforts, attributing this persistence to Israel’s disregard for political resolutions and international law. To conclude this, we discuss his later works, where he proposes pragmatic approaches for addressing the conflict, by emphasizing its structural and ideological roots.