In the 1970s, Palestinians were seen as revolutionary fighters, but today they're labeled as victims or terrorists, says writer Mohammed El-Kurd.
Historical image of Palestinian fighters
In the 1970s, European left and far-left movements popularized the image of the Palestinian fighter, known as the fedayin, which means "one who sacrifices himself" in Arabic. This figure was associated with revolution and the struggle for freedom.Shift in Western perception
Fifty years later, the "war on terrorism" has changed how Palestinians are seen in the Western collective imagination. Writer Mohammed El-Kurd argues that Palestinians are now often viewed as either victims or terrorists, both of which are dehumanizing labels.El-Kurd's perspective
Mohammed El-Kurd, a Palestinian writer, poet, and journalist, does not see himself as an ideal victim or a traditional hero. He rejects the idea that oppressed groups must prove their innocence to be heard.El-Kurd's essay
In his first essay, Perfect Victims, published in French, El-Kurd critiques the pressure placed on his people and other oppressed groups to demonstrate their innocence before their voices are acknowledged. He challenges the need for such validation.
