The origins of civil society in Palestine trace back to volunteer-driven social initiatives in the mid-1980s. These efforts evolved into institutional and professional forms during and after the First Intifada and the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The professionalization of civil society work was further solidified after the PNA's inception in 1994. Organizations began integrating service provision with governance programs, focusing on transparency, anti-corruption, gender equality, youth empowerment, public freedoms, and judicial independence.

Civil society organizations (CSOs) preserved their independence to strengthen their oversight role. Key coalitions, like the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) established in 1994, aimed to resist control by the executive branch and rejected conditional political funding, such as the terms imposed by USAID. These principles were enshrined in Palestinian NGO Law No. 1 of 2000. CSOs also played a pivotal role in sharing the Palestinian narrative with international solidarity movements and forums, influencing reports by prominent human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which described Israel's occupation as an apartheid regime.

CSOs' Response to October 7 Aggression

The unprecedented scale of the aggression following October 7 shocked all societal sectors, including CSOs. Entire neighborhoods were obliterated, families erased from civil registries, and critical infrastructure destroyed. Despite this devastation, CSOs demonstrated remarkable agility. Organizations such as the Agricultural Relief Committees, Medical Relief Committees, and the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme mobilized resources to provide food, healthcare, and psychological support to displaced populations. Temporary offices were established in the central and southern regions, such as Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah. CSOs also continued delivering psychosocial, educational, and empowerment programs for women and youth.

CSOs addressed internal societal cohesion, calling for unity, combating exploitation, and condemning wartime profiteering. Through partnerships with international organizations and forums like AIDA, they reinforced the representation of local organizations and advocated for lifting restrictions imposed by the occupation.

Human Rights Organizations Amid Genocide

Palestinian human rights organizations played a critical role in documenting war crimes and crimes against humanity during the aggression. They issued position papers and policy briefs highlighting violations of international law, including forced displacements and targeted attacks on hospitals, schools, and places of worship. These efforts aimed to dismantle the Israeli narrative and bring genocide cases to forums like the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Palestinian activists collaborated with international legal teams, providing testimony and evidence to support accusations of genocide against Israeli officials.

Challenges of Funding and Internal Dynamics

Local CSOs face significant funding challenges, particularly from politically conditional funding tied to anti-terrorism rhetoric. The rise of international NGOs in Gaza during crises often sidelines local organizations, creating a competitive rather than collaborative dynamic. To counter this, some CSOs have advocated for "localization"—prioritizing local leadership in cluster coordination mechanisms.

Internally, societal disarray exacerbated by aggression and resource scarcity has presented additional hurdles. CSOs have called for renewed solidarity and proposed unified management bodies for equitable aid distribution. They emphasize the importance of combating profiteering, reducing prices, and fostering national unity.

Recommendations for Civil Society

  1. Maintain Humanitarian and Professional Efforts: Continue providing essential services in food security, healthcare, education, and psychological support, especially for vulnerable groups like orphans.
  2. Strengthen Collaboration: Enhance partnerships among CSOs to amplify local agendas and influence international funding priorities.
  3. Reject Politically Conditional Funding: Uphold the rejection of funding terms that delegitimize Palestinian resistance.
  4. Leverage Solidarity Campaigns: Engage with the Palestinian diaspora and solidarity networks for financial and political support.
  5. Advocate for Local Leadership: Promote local leadership in humanitarian clusters to ensure culturally appropriate and effective responses.
  6. Engage in International Advocacy: Utilize global platforms like the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement to counter the Israeli apartheid narrative and secure justice for Palestinians.
  7. Prioritize National Unity: Call for reconciliation and the establishment of a unified governance framework to counter occupation plans for administrative division.

Conclusion

Civil society organizations are vital in addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and preserving the Palestinian narrative. Despite immense challenges, their continued advocacy, service provision, and commitment to human rights remain essential for the resilience and empowerment of Palestinian society.