Confronting an Empire, Constructing a Nation: Arab Nationalists and Popular Politics in Mandate Palestine (Library of Middle East History)

"Palestinian Arab nationalism is often portrayed as an elite ideology that did not gain popular appeal until after 1948. In this groundbreaking book, Weldon C. Matthews reexamines the rise of nationalism in Palestinian politics, using a wide range of sources. He finds that the new generation of Arab nationalists which emerged in the 1920s sought to construct an inclusive public sphere around the idea of the nation. Through schools, athletic clubs, newspapers and public rallies, the nationalists took their vision to the grassroots of Palestinian society. Advocating a nationalist identity, Matthews argues, was inextricably interlinked with resistance to British imperialism. The British sought to promote factionalism and sectarianism, and embracing an inclusive nationalist ideology was a powerful way of asserting independence. Matthews shows how the symbols of nationalist identity became potent weapons in a power struggle between British officials, Palestinian politicians, and nationalist activists throughout the Mandate period. Matthews's original and incisive book provides the reader with a deeper understanding of Palestinian political development and a more nuanced conception of the phenomenon of nationalism."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Palestinian Arab Nationalism Is Often Portrayed As An Elite Ideology That Did Not Gain Popular Appeal Until After 1948. In This Groundbreaking Book, Weldon C. Matthews Reexamines The Rise Of Nationalism In Palestinian Politics, Using A Wide Range Of Sources. He Finds That The New Generation Of Arab Nationalists Which Emerged In The 1920s Sought To Construct An Inclusive Public Sphere Around The Idea Of The Nation. Through Schools Athletic Clubs, Newspapers And Public Rallies, The Nationalists Took Their Vision To The Grassroots Of Palestinian Society.--jacket. Key Concepts And Historical Context -- The Nationalist Youth And Veteran Nationalists -- The Arab Unity Scheme And The Beginnings Of Popular Mobilization -- An Islamic Congress, An Arab Congress And The Istiqlal Party -- Creating And Regulating The Palestinian Public Sphere -- The Non-cooperation Programme -- The Demonstrations Of 1933 -- Through The Lens Of 1936. Weldon C. Matthews. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [315]-332) And Index. Annotation This groundbreaking book re-examines the rise of nationalism in Palestinian politics, using a wide range of sources. Matthews argues that the advocacy of nationalist identity was inextricably interlinked with resistance to British imperialism. He probes early self-perceptions of Palestinian nationalism and its changing relationship with Islamic and pan-Arab identities