Cooperation and conflict across ideological and strategic divides: Sumud Freedom Camp coalition in the occupied West Bank

Abstract

The literature on social movement coalitions highlights the tremendous challenges posed to coalitions by ideology. Yet, coalitions do occasionally form across contrasting ideological lines. This study investigates how the Palestinian‐led Sumud Freedom Camp coalition in the occupied West Bank was able to reach agreement across ideological divides, thereby enabling an ambitious collective action that actively sought to reestablish a Palestinian village depopulated by Israeli colonial policies and settler violence. Based on interviews with coalition activists, this study principally highlights, though, the tremendous challenges the coalition faced sustaining agreement among all the partners and the circumstances that led the coalition to splinter. Ultimately, it argues that differences in strategy need to be addressed, particularly in environments where the differences are salient. Otherwise, interactions with media and prospective members, along with the authorities, are likely to expose the differences and trigger conflict, particularly as it relates to representation and expression of the coalition's collective identity (i.e., who “we” are collectively).