Mzawadeh, the performative patriotism that weakens our struggle for liberation

Par Samah Jabr

I once objected to a colleague’s decision after he unilaterally changed the timing of my lecture at a conference — without consulting me or seeking my approval. My objection was brief, a single-line email asking for an explanation. His response, however, was an elaborate sermon. He wrote at length about martyrs, prisoners, and his unwavering commitment to Palestine — yet, for all his patriotic rhetoric, he never answered the simple question: Why did he change my lecture without informing me?

This phenomenon is well known in Palestinian society as mzaawadeh (المزاودة) — the habit of one-upping others in displays of patriotism. It’s not about genuine sacrifice but about proving oneself more revolutionary, more dedicated, more Palestinian than the rest. It infects politics, social life, and even religion, turning solidarity into spectacle and replacing accountability with theatrics.

At first glance, mzaawadeh might seem like a harmless quirk of political culture, but it is deeply corrosive. It fuels division, silences criticism, and replaces real strategy with empty slogans. Instead of building unity, it breeds suspicion — comrades become competitors, and allies become adversaries.

It also takes a psychological toll. In a society where commitment is constantly measured and questioned, people feel pressured to prove their worth. Activists push themselves to exhaustion, afraid of being seen as insufficiently devoted. Personal suffering is buried; admitting pain can be mistaken for weakness or betrayal. The result is widespread burnout, unspoken grief, and a culture that rewards posturing over real resilience.

Even worse, mzaawadeh stifles critical thinking. Fear of being labeled disloyal discourages self-reflection and honest debate. Instead of engaging in deep discussions about strategy, people cling to rigid slogans. The obsession with proving commitment overshadows the actual work of resistance. Who speaks the loudest becomes more important than who is making a real impact.

This performative culture weakens Palestinian activism from within. Instead of focusing on the real oppressor, movements waste energy on internal rivalry — each faction questioning the other’s dedication. Accusations fly: “Not revolutionary enough.” “Too pragmatic.” “Associating with the wrong people.” The battle becomes one of ideological purity rather than effective resistance, draining energy that should be directed outward. This self-destructive cycle of infighting is what paves the way for fratricide.

Fratricide — the internal destruction of a movement by its own members — is not just a historical tragedy; it is an ongoing crisis. When factions compete to outdo one another in revolutionary zeal, they lose sight of the goal: liberation. The enemy no longer needs to divide Palestinians; they do it to themselves. Mzaawadeh turns ideological differences into bitter conflicts, where loyalty to a faction or leader overshadows the collective cause.

To break this cycle, Palestinians must redefine what it means to be committed to the struggle. True resistance is not about who can perform the most radical rhetoric — it is about what is effective. Armed struggle, humanitarian work, psychological resilience, intellectual activism — each plays a role. No single path defines loyalty to Palestine, and no single group has a monopoly on sacrifice.

More importantly, mental health must be seen as part of the struggle. Self-care is not betrayal. Thoughtful, strategic action is not weakness. A sustainable movement requires people who are not only physically resilient but emotionally and psychologically strong.

Breaking free from mzaawadeh means rejecting performative patriotism in favor of collective strength. It means shifting from competition to collaboration, from empty declarations to real impact. The question should never be: Who is the most devoted? The question should be: What will bring us closer to liberation? Because in the end, true revolution is not about proving loyalty — it is about winning justice.

* Dr. Samah Jabr is a consulting psychiatrist practicing in Palestine, serving the communities of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and former head of the mental health unit within the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
She is an associate clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at George Washington University in Washington, DC.
She is also a member of the scientific committee of the Global Initiative against Impunity (GIAI) for International Crimes and Serious Human Rights Violations, a program co-financed by the European Union.

March, 2, 2025 – Transmitted by the author – French version