We used to say life in Jerusalem is not boring; every day something is happening. But the recent events have shaken a city even as unpredictable as this one, with major implications for multiple areas of our lives.
In the last few years, many thought that Israel had successfully marginalised the Palestinian ‘problem’ domestically and internationally. However, now it is again at the forefront of the political agenda and media. This is a major blow to Israel’s strategic plan as pursued by former Prime Minister Netanyahu, who had been in power for 12 years. The new government will have to choose different strategies in order to address the conflict.
The dominant local voices in recent events are that of Palestinian young adults in East Jerusalem. Young Palestinian men and women are refusing to accept either the occupation or the passivity of the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah. They are taking the lead by organising mostly nonviolent protests and activism, which is often met with police brutality. These young adults wish to change the dynamic inside Palestinian society and the balance of power within the conflict.
