Will Palestine be the Next Social Media Fueled Revolution?

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On March 15, 2011 roughly 15,000 Palestinians filled city squares in Gaza City.  Protestors carried the Palestinian flag rather than the flags or banners of any political factions, like Hamas and Fatah, that influence the area.  The youth-led liberation movements in Egypt and Tunisia directly inspired this protest and similar to both uprisings, the leaders - young, mostly university educated Palestinians - used social media to organize.

In addition to the protest in the Gaza City squares, Facebook groups have been formed to relay messages and organize other non-violent movements. The creator of one Facebook group, Salah Barghouti, has called for Palestinians to write anti-occupation and pro-liberation messages on shekel notes (which the article states are viewed by Palestinians as a symbol of oppression) that are used by both Israelis and Palestinians.

Can the “Facebook Generation” of Palestine successfully organize a revolution? As the article states, the Palestinian revolution is far more complicated than the protests in Egypt and Tunisia. The March 15, 2011 protest ended with members of Hamas and Fatah beating and arresting peaceful protesters. Palestinians seeking liberation are not just facing the powerful Israeli government and its allies; they are also facing Fatah and Hamas. Although it seems like a nearly impossible task, I think that the past year has demonstrated the power of non-violent revolutions. Social media continues to serve as a powerful platform for radical change and liberation. With proper organization and leadership, a non-violent revolution can be realized.