Palestine Online : Transnationalism, the Internet and the Construction of Identity

For Palestine's diaspora and exiled communities, the internet has become an important medium for the formation of Palestinian national and transnational identity. Miriyam Aouragh looks at the internet as both a space and an instrument for linking Palestinian diasporas in Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. She closely examines the uses and limits of internet technology under conditions of war, along with the ways in which virtual participation enables the generation of new ideals for political reconciliation and self-determination. Through the internet, participants reconstruct a virtual ‘Palestinian homeland’, gain a space for recovering the past, for overcoming issues of mobility, and for generating social change. This book provides a new angle on those affected by the Israeli-Palestine conflict, and furthers understanding about the connection between electronic media, politics and national identity more widely. For Palestine's Diaspora And Exiled Communities, The Internet Has Become An Important Medium For The Formation Of Palestinian National And Transnational Identity. Here, Miriyam Aouragh Looks At The Internet As Both A Space And An Instrument For Linking Palestinian Diasporas In Palestine, Jordan And Lebanon - Communities Usually Separated By State Boundaries And/or Travel Restrictions. It Is This Space, Which Lies At The Intersection Between Capitalism, Technological Development, The Politics Of Representation And Different Modes Of Governance, Which Helps Initiate, Maintain, Transform And Strengthen Internal Palestinian Communication, As Well As Relations With Global Audiences. By Exploring The Tensions Between Mobility And Immobility, Palestine Online Develops An Analysis Of The Re-construction Of A Specifically Online Shared Identity, An Imagined National Community On A Global, Technological Scale. However, It Is This Construction Of A Space In Which To Debate And Formulate Ideas About A Shared Virtual Identity, Which Often Serves As A Reminder Of The Absence Of A Shared Territorial Place. Here, Aouragh Provides A New Angle On Those Affected By The Israeli-palestine Conflict, And Furthers Understanding About The Connection Between Electronic Media, Politics And National Identity More Widely. --book Jacket. Virtual Reality From Below -- Techno-political Infrastructures -- Palestinian Mobility Offline And Online -- Virtual Space, Territorial Place -- The Making Of Palestine Online -- At The Crossroads : Internet Cafes. Miriyam Aouragh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [249]-264) And Index. In the wake of the Arab spring of 2011, more and more emphasis has been placed on the role of the internet in the Middle East, and for Palestine's diaspora and exiled commu-nities it has become an important medium for the formation of Palestinian national and transnational identity. Here, Miriyam Aouragh looks at the internet as both a space and an instrument for linking Palestinian diasporas in Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. She closely examines the uses and limits of internet technology under conditions of war, along with the ways in which virtual participation enables the generation of new ideals for political reconciliation and self-determination. Through the internet, participants reconstruct a vir­tual'Palestinian homeland', gaining a space for recovering the past, for overcoming issues of mobility, and for generating social change. Palestine Online thus provides a new angle on those affected by the Israeli-Palestine conflict, and furthers understanding about the connection between electronic media, politics and national identity more widely. Cover 1 Contents 8 List of Illustrations 10 List of Tables 12 List of Abbreviations 14 Note on Transliteration 16 1. Virtual Reality from Below 22 2. Techno-Political Infrastructures 60 3. Palestinian Mobility Offline and Online 96 4. Virtual Space, Territorial Place 130 5. The Making of Palestine Online 170 6. At the Crossroads: Internet Cafes 200 7. Epilogue 250 Appendix 256 Notes 258 Bibliography 270 Index 286