Department of Research, Studies and International News 24-06-2025

The displacement of Palestinians is not simply a tragic byproduct of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; rather, it has been a central objective of the Zionist movement since its inception as a colonial-settler project. This article explores how displacement is systematically implemented, the various forms it takes, the historical context, Palestinian resistance, and the evolving international legal perspective on these practices—in Gaza.

The Concept of “Ungrounding”

Displacement is not limited to the physical removal of people; it also seeks to erase the historical, legal, and cultural ties of Palestinians to their land. This process of “ungrounding” includes:

• Erasing Spatial Memory: Destroying villages and changing their names to erase Palestinian presence.
• Legal Manipulation: Enacting laws such as the “Absentees’ Property Law” to confiscate refugee lands.
• War on Archives: Systematically destroying documents and records that prove Palestinian ownership and history.

Systematic Methods of Displacement

The 1948 Nakba (“catastrophe”) marked a pivotal moment in Palestinian history, with over 700,000 Palestinians expelled from their homes. In southern Palestine and the Gaza Strip, residents were forcibly relocated to overcrowded areas to facilitate control. Fertile lands such as Barbara and Al-Jura were seized, and control over water resources became a strategic priority. The destruction and confiscation of Palestinian wells and water systems have led to a persistent water crisis in Gaza, a legacy that continues to affect the region today.

1. Slow Violence and Clandestine Annihilation

Displacement is not always the result of direct violence such as killings or demolitions. Often, it manifests as “slow violence”—a gradual, often invisible process that imposes lethal living conditions on Palestinians. This includes deprivation of essential resources, the imposition of sieges, and severe restrictions on movement. The insidious nature of this approach makes it difficult to detect and address, yet its impact is profound and enduring.

2. Architecture as a Weapon

Urban planning and architecture are strategically employed as instruments of displacement. The construction of settlements, separation walls, barriers, and bypass roads is designed to fragment Palestinian territory, sever geographical continuity, and disrupt daily life. These spatial interventions are not incidental but are part of a deliberate policy to entrench control and facilitate the removal of Palestinians from their land.

3. Planning and Legal Practices

Legal and bureaucratic tools are central to the displacement process. Israeli authorities use classifications such as “military zones,” “nature reserves,” and “archaeological sites” to justify evictions and prevent Palestinian development. Denial of building permits, forced demolitions, and policies that stifle urban expansion further suffocate Palestinian communities, pushing them toward forced migration.

And finally, the latest inhumane method of displacement is
the mechanism for distributing American-Israeli aid in Gaza (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation – GHF), which is managed by a special American intelligence-linked foundation and protected by the Israeli army, with the complete exclusion of independent international and local organizations. This mechanism has been objected to by Palestinian human rights and civil organizations, which consider it a “deadly threat” to the lives of tens of thousands of the hungry, especially after dozens of Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire near aid distribution points in Khan Younis. They view it as a direct threat to civilians’ lives and a violation of international humanitarian laws and standards, as the hungry are gathered around distribution points and then killed—elderly, children, and women alike. It is also seen as a tool to deepen the humanitarian crisis, enforce policies of displacement and demographic change in the Strip, and as an act of genocide against Palestinians.

Palestinian Resistance to Displacement and Erasure

Despite ongoing efforts to displace and erase them, Palestinians have developed diverse forms of resistance:

• Archival Resistance: Preserving documents, recording testimonies, and creating digital archives to safeguard history and rights.
• Legal and Political Resistance: Pursuing justice in local and international courts.
• Spatial Resistance: Rebuilding demolished homes, cultivating land, and preserving original village names.
• Cultural Resistance: Using literature, art, and language to maintain identity and assert presence.
• Digital Resistance: Leveraging digital maps and virtual reality technologies to document and reclaim Palestinian spaces.

The Legal Message per the crucial comments of H.E. Dr. Ambassador Namira Negm:
Partial Displacement in Gaza

International Court of Justice (ICJ) Perspectives

• 2004 Opinion: The ICJ ruled that the construction of the separation wall and related policies amount to forced displacement, a violation of international law.
• 2024 Opinion: The ICJ described displacement as an international crime, especially when systematic and aimed at demographic engineering. The Court emphasized the obligation to end occupation and provide compensation for damages, noting that ongoing demolitions create an environment that forcibly repels residents.

The Expanded Definition of Displacement

Modern legal frameworks recognize that displacement is not limited to physical expulsion; it includes policies that make life unlivable, thereby forcing people to leave. These practices are increasingly viewed as forms of apartheid and ethnic cleansing.

The Role of the United Nations

UN Security Council Resolutions—such as 194 (1948), 237 (1967), 465 (1980), and 2024—condemn displacement and demand the right of return for refugees, as well as a halt to settlement activity.

International Conventions

• The Hague Regulations and Fourth Geneva Convention: Prohibit violence, collective punishment, and forced displacement, classifying such acts as grave crimes.
• The Rome Statute: Defines displacement as a crime against humanity and a war crime.
• Customary International Law: Affirms the right of displaced persons to return to their homes.

Legal and Political Conclusions

• The displacement of Palestinians is a crime under international law, with Israel’s systematic policies amounting to ethnic cleansing.
• International agreements prohibiting such practices are binding on Israel.
• The notion of “voluntary migration” is widely rejected as a legal deception intended to legitimize forced displacement.
• Political pressure, legal action, and international solidarity are essential to challenge these practices and demand accountability.

In conclusion, based on the evidence and analysis presented, the following recommendations are proposed:

1. Political and International Action:

   Work toward transforming temporary ceasefires into a lasting peace, with active participation from Arab, Islamic, and international actors to ensure the protection of Palestinian rights and prevent further displacement.

2. Legal and Media Pressure:
   Apply maximum pressure on Israel and the United States by resorting to the International Court of Justice and international human rights institutions. Leverage media outlets and think tanks, especially within the U.S., to expose ongoing violations on the ground.
3. Rejection of Displacement and Liquidation Plans:
   Firmly reject any displacement schemes that serve as a prelude to the liquidation of the Palestinian cause, and expose these plans through all available legal, diplomatic, and media channels.
4. Legal Documentation and Oversight:
   Compile a comprehensive, well-documented legal case on forced displacement violations. Additionally, call for the formation of an Arab–International emergency committee to monitor and respond to cases of mass displacement.
5. Egyptian National Security:
   Safeguard Egypt’s national security by rejecting proposals to open borders as a political solution. Support the development and population of the Sinai region to counter any potential demographic vacuum.
6. Media and Public Awareness:
   Unify the media narrative between Egypt and Palestine. Launch global awareness campaigns to document the suffering of civilians and expose displacement strategies, while involving research centers and students in advocacy efforts.
7. Humanitarian and Economic Support:
   Strengthen the resilience of Palestinians by supporting infrastructure in Gaza and securing access to essential services such as water, electricity, food, and medicine. Ensure emergency aid reaches affected communities to help them remain in their homes.
8. Internal Palestinian Coordination:
   Encourage unity among Palestinian leadership and push for a unified statement from all factions rejecting forced displacement. Reinforce the national priority of steadfastness and the right to remain on their land.

Ultimately, we must exert every effort to prevent any form of forced demographic change in Gaza or the West Bank, while upholding the inalienable right of Palestinians to return and to live with dignity and freedom on their ancestral land.

Dr. Mohamed Elkeshky is the Director of BUC’s Centre for Global Affairs and a professor at BUC’s Political Science Department