“Travelling for dignity”: navigating (im)mobility regimes in Palestine after 7 October 2023

In the occupied West Bank, the aftermath of the Israeli war on Gaza, combined with the simultaneous offensive by the settlers’ movement, triggered a wave of violence and economic breakdown, leading to a sharp deterioration of living conditions. This article tracks the escape routes, particularly those leading to Europe, which were followed by a group of Palestinians from the northern West Bank city of Nablus after 7 October 2023, exploring the discourses and meanings they ascribe to their migration attempts in a context in which settler colonialism has been showing its worst side. In the West Bank, Palestinians seeking to flee to Europe face significant limitations regarding formal and regular channels to travel and resettle elsewhere. This article explores the complex and nuanced attitudes of West Bank Palestinians towards mobility regimes as well as their ability to navigate these constraints and opportunities as a form of adaptation to worsening living conditions after 7 October. In this context, one way to challenge and circumvent mobility regimes relies on international solidarity with Palestine, which can allow would-be travellers to convert their social and symbolic capital into tangible support to facilitate mobility.