Scholarships for Palestinians in a Historical and Contemporary Perspective
摘要
Palestinians’ education abroad is a defining characteristic of their peoplehood. In over seven decades past, and in the immediate present, it has remained a key means of reconstruction after mass violence and loss of property. A broad host of actors recognize this characteristic and regularly extend indispensable support to Palestinians in claiming this means of reconstruction. In this essay, I focus on scholarships as one way through which this support is channeled. I demonstrate how this support has historically helped Palestinians build, staff, and develop their local higher education. I then give an overview of the diverse, dynamic, and heterogenous actors who provide and support scholarships for Palestinians, as well as of their oft-overlapping rationales for doing so. I finally draw on this overview in arguing that Palestinian scholarship alumni and alumnae should lead the effort to systematize scholarships impact on a coherent, sustainable, and inclusive basis in Palestine.