Browne, Brendan Ciarán --- "Transitional justice and the case of Palestine" [2017] ELECD 793; in Lawther, Cheryl; Moffett, Luke; Jacobs, Dov (eds), "Research Handbook on Transitional Justice" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) 488

Book Title: Research Handbook on Transitional Justice

Editor(s): Lawther, Cheryl; Moffett, Luke; Jacobs, Dov

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781781955307

Section: Chapter 24

Section Title: Transitional justice and the case of Palestine

Author(s): Browne, Brendan Ciarán

Number of pages: 20

Abstract/Description:

The enduring political stalemate in Israel–Palestine is indicative of the myriad failed peacebuilding attempts in the region and has resulted in a growing sense of disillusionment for any hope of enduring resolution. Against the backdrop of a seemingly endless cycle of inter-group conflict, the entrenchment of the Israeli Occupation and further marginalization of the aspirations of Palestinian refugees, a rapidly expanding grassroots activist movement has blossomed in an effort to realize some form of ‘justice’ for those most beleaguered. This chapter analyses the ad hoc transitional justice mechanisms that have been considered in recent years in an effort to bring about some form of redress. Beginning with an overview of the contested historical narratives, an insight into the failed political processes and turning next to examine the divergent top-down and bottom-up approaches that have sought an end to the impasse, the chapter emphasizes the highly challenging environment in which grassroots movements dedicated to memory-recall, the realization of justice, and some form of resolution to the conflict, attempt to operate against. The ongoing attacks on grassroots movements by an Israeli government seemingly intent on airbrushing from history the Palestinian narrative of the events of 1948, one that is divergent to their own, is discussed with a view to highlighting the limits of transitional justice in generating a conciliatory climate in which peace may be forged. Palestine; bottom-up transitional justice; top-down transitional justice