2025/02/27 by Nacer HADJ AZZEM & Hayat TRIKI
#FOS: Languages and literature
paper · doi:10.48734/akofena.n015.vol.3.05.2025
Abstract: This study examines the Palestinian-Zionist conflict through the philosophical lens of Edward Said, who argues that the conflict extends beyond territorial or political disputes to become a civilizational struggle between East and West. Said’s critique of Orientalism highlights how Western discourse has contributed to the legitimization of the Zionist project while distorting the image of the East and undermining Palestinian rights. The study explores how Said’s theories on cultural hegemony and Orientalist narratives provide a critical framework for understanding the broader dimensions of the Palestinian struggle.In conclusion, the study underscores Edward Said’s significant influence on shaping public discourse regarding the Palestinian cause. It highlights his rejection of colonialist narratives that justify the exclusion of Palestinians and his critical stance on the Oslo Accords, which he viewed as an unjust compromise that failed to secure Palestinian sovereignty. Said’s skepticism toward the two-state solution stemmed from Israel’s continued settlement expansion, which he believed rendered coexistence increasingly unfeasible. Ultimately, the study emphasizes that Said’s vision of a just resolution was obstructed by imperialist policies, normalization efforts, and geopolitical betrayals, reinforcing the argument that rights taken by force cannot be restored without resistance. Keywords: conflict, Edward Said, Orientalism, Clash of Civilizations, Palestinian cause, resistance.