In the post-Arafat era, dramatic changes took place in the Palestinian polity and systems of governance, and in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict dynamics. Alternative routes were pursued as a result of various multilevel interactions between inward and outward international, regional and local diffusions, this paper will argue. The central question is: what did the interaction between the inward and outward diffusions bring closer; a Palestinian state? a sustainable peace? or a multilevel intifadas? While the answer can be obvious; however this paper is interested in addressing the processes and mechanisms of such diffusions and analysing its consequences. It argues that at the inward diffusion level; the consequences of the international diffusions occurred through donors policies, interventions and the created aid dependency status which resulted in the emergence of the Fayyadism paradigm for governance and state-building. However, the regional diffusions posed the investigation inquiry of what and what not had reached Palestine out of the Arab uprisings. On the other hand, this paper will argue that the attempt for a Palestinian statehood declaration at the United Nations and the contemporary techniques and strategies for the Palestinian struggle as the boycott, international solidarity movements and shadow diplomacy are few illustrations for the outward diffusions.

Paper presented at the International Studies Association Annual Convention “The Politics of International Diffusion: Regional and Global Dimensions”, 3-6 April 2013, San Francisco, California.

Click here to view and download the presentation’s PowerPoint slides