Stokes, Joel Alexander Bob; (2024) Heritage ‘Praxis’ as Resistance and Liberation The Palestinian Case of Silwan. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

In this thesis, I examine Palestinian heritage praxis (practise distinguished from, yet informed by theory) – as an alternative framework for individual and community agency, socio-political legitimacy, well- being, self-governance, and liberation. Specifically, I investigate Palestinian heritage praxis as it relates to extreme conditions of conflict. In doing so, I situate this study at one of many intersections between Critical Heritage Studies (CHS) and Israel/Palestine Studies (I/PS). Through a conceptual framework grounded in wider critical studies, I use a triangulation of archival, observational, and interview-based research methods to elucidate original data from within the case study of Silwan, East Jerusalem, exploring heritage praxis as a subversive vehicle for change. My findings are three-fold. First, that heritage praxis – in lieu of adequate infrastructural support from either the Jerusalem Municipality or the Palestinian Authority (PA) – offers alternative paths to Palestinian self- governance and, ultimately liberation. Second, that heritage praxis serves multiple means of peaceful resistance against Israel’s belligerent military occupation. And third, that the connection between heritage praxis in Silwan and socio-political legitimacy on an international stage, will serve as a foundational element of Palestinian liberation – whatever form it may take. In the conclusion, I call for further study into the efficacies of heritage praxis within contexts of contestation . I argue that cross-contextual research will further elucidate how heritage praxis and geo-political development are inherently bound, and that heritage organisations (such as UNESCO) can deploy to greater effect policy and resources to support populations living under extreme conditions. More should be done, I suggest, to utilise the political efficacies of heritage organisations in their role as determiners of heritage values, facilitators of heritage preservation and as agencies with considerable financial capacity.

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