We Want to Live movement

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The We Want to Live movement (Arabic: بدنا نعيش, romanized: Bidna Na'eesh) is a grassroots youth movement in the Gaza Strip calling for increased economic opportunity and the removal of Hamas from power.[1] The movement was founded in March 2019, giving rise to the 2019 Gaza economic protests.[2] It is not connected to any one political party,[3] and some sources have connected the movement to the Arab Spring of the early 2010s.[4]

Goals[edit]

The movement is responding to multiple issues, broadly defined as economic disenfranchisement, such as unemployment rates and increased taxes.[4] Other issues of concern include the competency of leadership, electricity shortages, access to drinking water, food insecurity, access to education, and freedom of speech.[citation needed]

History[edit]

The movement began in March 2019, as part of the 2019 Gaza economic protests. The group's Facebook page quickly gained several thousand followers.[5] Initially, the movement was critical of Hamas, but did not call for its ousting, fearing that it would be an impossible demand.[6] Instead, they focused on material changes, such as reduced taxation and lower prices of necessities.[6] Multiple leaders of the movement were arrested and detained, charged with "collaborating with hostile foreign entities, in violation of domestic law". Several were referred to military courts.[7]

In 2020, one of the group's leaders, Suleiman al-Ajouri, committed suicide.[8] The movement's Facebook page posted about the event, connecting al-Ajouri's suicide directly to the economic disenfranchisement of Gaza's youth.[9] Four of al-Ajouri's friends were arrested following his funeral, due to their connections to the movement; several journalists reporting on his death were also arrested.[8]

In November 2021, the group again gained traction online following the drowning of three Gazan migrants attempting to reach Greece, and reports of Hamas leadership leading lavish lifestyles.[2] This continued in July 2022, with protesters sharing videos online of Gazans living in poverty, and residents in physical confrontations with Hamas security forces.[10]

In late July and early August 2023, the movement again led in-person protests in response to the accidental killing of a man by authorities in Khan Yunis.[11][12][13] Hamas responded to the protests with increased security, and arrested several demonstrators and journalists covering the demonstrations.[12][13]

Some of the movement's leaders fled to Europe after being threatened by Hamas for their involvement.[12] They have helped organized demonstrations remotely, through online channels and the movement's official Facebook group.[12]

Response[edit]

Hamas has attempted to downplay the movement by claiming that its leadership are Israeli or part of the Palestinian Authority.[2][14] When addressing physical demonstrations, Hamas has used arrests and excessive force.[12] Participants who have been arrested have been subject to torture.[1] One protester reporting losing his eyesight following repeated interrogations.[15]

Hamas has also intimidated journalists and confiscated their equipment to deter reporting on the movement or its protests.[citation needed]

The movement has received support from the Palestine Liberation Organization.[4][13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "West Bank and Gaza". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  2. ^ a b c Schneidmann, S. (2021-11-15). "Economic, Social Protests Against Hamas Flare Up Again In Gaza: 'We Want To Live'; The Economic Hardship Has Become Intolerable; Hamas Officials Are Out Of Touch With The People". MEMRI. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  3. ^ El Bouabi, Mustapha (2019-03-20). "Protesters hold rare strike in besieged Gaza". The New Arab. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  4. ^ a b c Ben Menachem, Yoni (2019-03-18). "Has the "Arab Spring" Reached Gaza?". Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  5. ^ Bar'el, Zvi (2019-03-18). "The Gaza Paradox: Palestinians Are Fed Up With Hamas, Israel Is Worried". Haaretz. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  6. ^ a b Adam, Ali (2019-03-21). "Hamas crackdown on protests snuffs out a push for change in Gaza". The National. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  7. ^ Al-Rayes, Salem (2019-04-08). "Between a rock and resistance: how Hamas crushes dissent in Gaza". Raseef22. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  8. ^ a b Hass, Amira (2020-07-22). "In Gaza, Suicides Are a Political Message". Haaretz. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  9. ^ "Deterioration in the mental health situation in the Gaza Strip". United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - occupied Palestinian territory. 2020-10-05. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  10. ^ Ibrahim, Sally (2022-07-28). ""We want to live", Gazans revive campaign against Hamas". The New Arab. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  11. ^ Adam, Ali (2023-08-06). "Despite Hamas' crackdown, Gaza protests continue in rare defiance". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  12. ^ a b c d e Alswerky, Sanaa (2023-08-07). "Gaza youth demand better living conditions amid renewed protests". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  13. ^ a b c Pacchiani, Gianluca (2023-08-08). "Protests against Hamas reemerge in the streets of Gaza, but will they persist?". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  14. ^ "Gaza protests to continue". BBC Monitoring. 2019-03-20. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  15. ^ Freij, Imad (2019-04-11). "Mohammad Safi, lost his sight in Hamas torture chambers". Wafa. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
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