It’s been a while since I reported on my observations on behavior of Arab circles behind closed doors, the ones I’m socially part of. This is my latest: Schism is now enormous between the majority of Lebanese and Syrians, on one hand, and Palestinians, on the other. The two sides see their interests as divergent as ever. To Lebanese and Syrians, their interests is in disbanding of militias, restoration of sovereign and functional governments, dissociation from endless Palestinian wars, and focusing on their own problems. By crushing Hezbollah, Israel has helped the Lebanese and the Syrians, who are thankful but would never say it in public. Palestinians, on the other hand, are angry at Lebanese and Syrians for cheering for the end of Hezbollah and militias, want the fight to go on. No one should get their state until the Palestinians get one. These are the general broad lines of disagreement, but they have affected social life. At Palestinian dance parties, songs like “My Blood is Palestinian, Raise the Kufiyyah,” and “I hate Israel” are always played. But not at Lebanese and Syrian parties, where they never play Palestinians songs, and instead play “To Homs take me, God damn your Soul Hafez,” and “Tell them you are Lebanese.” I don’t have the time and resources for this but an anthropological and sociological study about how the majority of non-Palestinian Arabs have turned against the Palestine Cause is something worth seriously and academically studied.
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