The “Nationalist” Subordination of the Palestinian Left

This paper argues that the subordination experienced by the Palestinian Left throughout its history is linked to the acceptance of Fatah’s brand of Palestinian nationalism as overarching political framework within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The PLO Left relied on consensus politics and nationalist competition to influence Fatah and the overall orientations of the national movement. As these options lost their effectiveness, leftist factions could not represent a credible opposition and faced growing marginalization. External events further complicated the PLO Left’s condition which appeared increasingly stuck between Fatah’s dominant position and its emerging Islamist challenger. Based on primary sources and a review of the wide historiography on the subject, this paper highlights the connection between the Left’s adherence to founding nationalist paradigms and its gradual decline in power.