Reflections: Evolution of Palestinian Identity In Israel

The identity of Palestinian citizens in Israel has undergone a long evolution since 1948. In the Introduction, I referred to the use of the ‘evolution’ metaphor to indicate the ‘undesigned identity evolution’ of Palestinians in Israel. Undesigned evolution should not be misinterpreted as being random. Identity, according to Anthony Smith, is ‘a product of both “natural” continuity and conscious manipulation. Natural continuity emerges from pre-existing […] identity and community; conscious manipulation is achieved via commemoration, ideology, and symbolism’ (...