L’Intifada dell’Unità: la costruzione dell’ethos collettivo nel Manifesto per la Dignità e la Speranza

This article presents a discursive analysis of the Manifesto for Dignity and Hope (May 2021) produced amidst the large-scale protests ensued from the attempted eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbour- hood of Jerusalem. The Manifesto, as a form of counter-discourse, marks a signific- ant shift in perspective from the argumentative rhetoric of dominant political rhet- oric that has framed the struggle for Palestinian liberation, particularly since the ratification of the Oslo Accords, which diluted its anti-colonial thrust. Focusing on the category of ethos, central to the French tradition of discourse analysis, this study examines the rhetorical strategies employed to construct a collective identity. The Manifesto’s discourse emphasises universal principles of human dignity and hope, reclaiming the narrative from the fragmented and depoliticised discourse that has characterised Palestinian advocacy in recent decades. By foregrounding themes of resilience, justice, and solidarity, the Manifesto reasserts the anti-colonial roots of the Palestinian struggle while appealing to a broader, transnational audience. By situating the Manifesto within the historical and discursive trajectory of the Palestinian struggle, this article offers a nuanced perspective on the evolving dy- namics of resistance and the power of discourse to redefine identities and aspira- tions in the face of oppression. This study also contributes to the broader under- standing of how counter-discourses can reshape political narratives and mobilise collective action in contexts of protracted conflict and dispossession.