Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal

“Defanging” describes the process of stripping Palestinian narratives of their potency and resistance to make them more palatable to Western sensibilities. El-Kurd discusses how this sanitization diminishes the reality of Palestinian suffering and undermines the legitimacy of their struggle. By removing the “fangs,” or the elements of anger and resistance, the narrative becomes less threatening to the status quo.​

Dignity is a central theme in El-Kurd’s work, representing the inherent worth and humanity of Palestinians beyond their victimhood. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining dignity in the face of dehumanization and refusing to conform to narratives that demand passivity. Dignity involves asserting one’s rights and humanity without seeking validation from oppressive systems.​

Fragmentation refers to the deliberate division of Palestinian communities through geographical, political, and social means. El-Kurd highlights how this tactic weakens collective identity and resistance by isolating groups from one another. The book examines how fragmentation serves as a tool of colonial control, making unified resistance more challenging.​

In the context of the book, “humanization” involves efforts to portray Palestinians as relatable and sympathetic to Western audiences. El-Kurd critiques this approach, arguing that it often requires Palestinians to downplay their resistance and anger. He suggests that true humanization should encompass the full spectrum of Palestinian experiences, including their struggle and defiance.​

“Martyrdom” is a term used by El-Kurd in Perfect Victims while discussing how Palestinian deaths are portrayed and politicized, with El-Kurd regarding all victims of Israeli violence as “martyrs” for the cause of Palestinian liberation. El-Kurd critiques the selective recognition of Palestinian deaths based on their alignment with Western narratives. He emphasizes the importance of honoring all of the deceased equally, recognizing their sacrifices without reducing them to symbols for external validation.​ El-Kurd’s use of this term in his public speeches has sometimes attracted controversy, particularly in relation to his support of Hamas fighters.

The Nakba, meaning “catastrophe,” refers to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. El-Kurd discusses the Nakba not only as a historical event but as an ongoing process of dispossession and colonization. The term is central to understanding the continuous nature of Palestinian suffering and resistance.​

The “politics of appeal” encompasses the strategies employed by Palestinians to gain international sympathy by conforming to acceptable narratives. El-Kurd critiques this approach, arguing that it often leads to self-censorship and undermines authentic expressions of resistance. He calls for a rejection of these politics in favor of asserting dignity and truth without compromise.​

“Respectability politics” refers to marginalized groups attempting to gain acceptance by adhering to the dominant culture’s norms and expectations. In the book, El-Kurd criticizes this approach, arguing that it forces Palestinians to suppress aspects of their identity and struggle. He argues that true liberation requires rejecting respectability politics and embracing the full complexity of Palestinian experiences.​

“Secondarily” refers to the rhetorical tactic of starting discussions from a secondary point, thereby omitting the foundational context. El-Kurd uses this term to critique how narratives around Palestinian resistance often ignore the initial acts of aggression and occupation. By focusing on the “second” event, such narratives distort the reality of the conflict and place undue blame on Palestinians.​

Settler colonialism is a form of colonization where the colonizers come to stay, often resulting in the displacement and erasure of indigenous populations. El-Kurd frames the Israeli occupation of Palestine as a settler colonial project, emphasizing the ongoing nature of land theft, displacement, and cultural erasure. He asserts that this framework is crucial to understanding the systemic nature of Palestinian oppression.​

Victimhood in the book is examined as a double-edged sword. While acknowledging the real suffering of Palestinians, El-Kurd critiques how the international community often only recognizes their humanity when they are passive victims. He argues for a narrative that includes Palestinian agency, resistance, and dignity, moving beyond the confines of victimhood.