Researcher Giulia Daniele and PhD student Sophia Kelsch, both from Iscte Centre for International Studies (CEI-Iscte), recently published the scientific article ‘Beyond online and offline activism: #SaveSheikhJarrah and contemporary resistance in Palestine’ in the Journal of International and Intercultural Communication. The article offers an analysis of the interconnections between digital activism and actions on the ground in Palestine, with a special focus on the case of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem.
The researchers explore Palestinian digital resistance strategies, with an emphasis on the global impact of the hashtag #SaveSheikhJarrah, which has emerged as a symbol of opposition to the Israeli military occupation and the continuous expulsions of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and the West Bank. This digital campaign, which has gained prominence in recent years, has not only increased the visibility of the Palestinian cause, but has also reinforced the importance of linking local struggles to social networks.
The article is based on an extensive digital ethnography and semi-structured interviews conducted with young Palestinian activists between 2021 and 2023. The analysis reveals how traditional forms of resistance have been reinterpreted in the digital context, offering a new perspective on contemporary activism and its role in intercultural communication dynamics and Palestine studies.
Published in one of the most relevant journals in the field of international communication, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of activism in the digital age. For the authors, the research emphasises the importance of articulating local and global strategies as part of effective resistance, especially in contexts of occupation and inequality.
Access the full article here.