If you are familiar with the t.v. show American Idol--and I'm assuming you are--than you are aware of its premise--taking ordinary people with extraordinary talent and transforming them into international singing sensations. The show caught like wildfire, and versions of American Idol have cropped up in countries from Brazil to Bangladesh, drawing aspiring pop stars from all economic backgrounds. Despite the contest's promises of fame and fortune, for some, winning this contest holds a much deeper meaning--especially those who have very little to be happy about. For Palestinians, Mohammed Assaf's Arab Idol victory was something to celebrate in a place where they have very little in the way of good news.
Those who do not experience the ostracization and abuse first-hand fail to realize the extent of inequality that Palestinians experience on a day to day basis. Ben White of the Huffington Post outlined some of these disparities in a past blog post:
"Since 1948, more than 700 Jewish communities have been established in Israel's pre-1967 borders, and just seven for Palestinian citizens. By the mid-1970s, the average Arab community inside Israel had lost 65-75% of its land. Around 1 in 4 Palestinian citizens are 'present absentees' (i.e. internally displaced), their lands and property confiscated by the state. Residency in 70% of Israeli towns is controlled by 'admissions committees' that filter out those 'unsuitable' for the 'social fabric' of the community."
After decades of marginalization and discrimination, Palestinians were searching for something to celebrate, and they found it in Mohammed Assaf.
Apart from the social implications, Assaf's victory also held political overtones. It served as a focal point around which the disjointed factions in Palestine could unify, if only for a short while. The rift between Fatah and Hamas has only expanded since the upheaval caused in 2007 when the groups split into warring factions. After the schism, the two factions were preoccupied fighting amongst themselves and weakened their presence in the face of their common enemy, Israel. This weakness undermined their efforts to prevent Israel from continuing to push Palestinians to the outer limits of society as a "demographic problem".
Despite early condemnation, even the radically conservative group Hamas recognized that Palestine desperately needed a positive symbol around which to unite. Assaf has since gained the approval of both Fatah and Hamas, and has been granted a diplomatic passport to Palestine to act as ambassador to the territory. Although it is impossible for Assaf's victory to erase decades of pain and suffering, it proves to Palestinians that there is still hope for happiness and unity.
And now, for your listening pleasure, Mohammed Assaf singing 3ali Al Keffiyeh (Raise Your Keffiyeh):
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