ⵣ Is History repeating itself? The Shared Struggle of the Amazigh and Palestinian People ⵣ
- Guest Writer - Elisa Bianchi
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
A Reflection on Resistance and Modern Colonialism
In May 2024, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalated dramatically, Israeli airstrikes intensified, particularly in Rafah, leading to significant loss of civilian lives and displacement. While many posts concerning Palestine circulated on our social media, I remember coming across one that particularly caught my attention: "My Amazigh ancestors didn’t fight France for me to stay silent while it happens to others”. As a granddaughter of three Algerian Amazigh, I grew up hearing stories about their direct experiences with French colonization, making it impossible for me not to see parallels between their struggle and the ongoing fight of the Palestinian people. I recall my grandmother would often share her haunting memories of her youth during the Algerian War. She frequently spoke of the day her father was killed, their land was taken, and the long, heart-breaking journey away from her home.
Nowadays, I realize her stories weren’t just personal memories, they also reflect the collective struggle of many lives impacted by colonization and resistance. It’s hard not to draw parallels to Palestine today, where over 52,653 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, approximately 85% of the land has been seized, and more than 730,000 have been displaced. Once again, history repeats itself. A modern-day Nakba is happening in front of our eyes. In 1948, over 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes, and approximately 531 villages were destroyed.
The Free People: Amazigh Identity and Resilience
While denouncing the recurring history and the silence towards modern colonization, this article also attempts to shine light on a forgotten part of history: the Amazigh people, whose legacy of resistance and resilience has shaped the spirit of Algeria for generations. The name "Amazigh" itself means "free people”, highlighting a proud heritage built on independence and strength. The Amazigh, often referred to as the derogatory word “Berbers”, are the Indigenous inhabitants of North Africa and are found in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and parts of the Sahara. Known for their rich cultural traditions, native language (Tamazight), and a long history of resistance against various forms of conquest, the Amazigh have maintained their identity through centuries of Roman, Arab, Ottoman, and French domination.
Looking Back to See the Present
Looking back into history shows that colonial tactics tend to repeat themselves. In Algeria and Morocco, French colonizers attempted to erase Amazigh identity by suppressing their language, cultural practices, and traditional symbols, including the distinctive facial tattoos worn by Amazigh women. These tattoos, once symbols of resistance and protection, became stigmatized during the French occupation. Brothels were established around Morocco, and Amazigh women from rural areas were abducted and forced to work there. Since many of these women had facial tattoos, society gradually began to link tattoos with prostitution, leading to lasting discrimination against women who wore their cultural tattoos. This cultural erasure went beyond tattoos to other expressions of Amazigh identity, particularly their symbolic artistry.
Amazigh people have always been renowned for their jewelry, not only as decorations but as symbols of strength and heritage. Items like the Fibula (brooch) held deep cultural meanings (image 1). Yet, under French colonization and high pressure of assimilation, these traditions declined as the value of such jewelry was ignored and practices faded. French policies aimed at imposing a singular French identity, with their language and culture, while marginalizing indigenous traditions.
Similarly, in Palestine, the Israeli occupation continues to pull apart Palestinian identity through settlement expansion, home demolitions, and the suppression of cultural expressions. This systematic erasure goes beyond occupying land: it directly targets cultural sovereignty.
An example of this loss is the destruction of historic Palestinian villages such as Jaffa, where ancient homes, olive trees, and community areas are replaced by military settlements, erasing not just what was once a physical presence but the deep-rooted memories tied to the land (image 2). Cultural practices, such as traditional embroidery and storytelling, are increasingly disappearing as public spaces once alive with Palestinian heritage are being destroyed.
The Weight of Generational Trauma
For both Algerians and Palestinians, the trauma of displacement and cultural erasure isn’t just an issue from the past. It’s inherited and passed, deeply intertwined into the stories passed down through generations and generations to come. I still saw it in my 95-year-old grandmother’s eyes when she recalled how her father was tragically taken from her, and the pain of leaving the only country she ever knew, pregnant and carrying the weight of loss. Generations carry this pain, the scars of forced migration and the persistent struggle to preserve an identity that history continues to erase.
Is Colonialism Really Over?
After years of denouncing colonialism as an unforgivable violation of human rights, it's terrifying to witness how colonial occupation can still be accepted when it takes on modern forms. The situation in Palestine is an example that colonial practices have not disappeared, but instead have simply adapted to fit contemporary narratives. While much of the world remains disturbingly indifferent, even after the global commitment to 'never again' after atrocities such as the apartheid in South Africa and colonization in Algeria.
Yet, this modern colonization continues and is backed by our so-called powerful Western countries that once positioned themselves as advocates of decolonization and human rights. You’d almost think they’re just keeping their options open, fighting colonialism when it’s convenient, and quietly supporting it when it’s profitable. How can countries that initiated, perpetuated, and eventually condemned colonialism now turn a blind eye when it happens again? The silence around Palestine isn’t just political, it’s a moral failure. It tells us that colonialism is still acceptable when it involves powerful interests. Western countries’ response sends us a dangerous message: colonization can continue as long as it’s politically convenient.
Standing Up for Justice Everywhere
There is a clear lesson to learn from the Algerian and Palestinian struggles: resistance against oppression is not just a local issue but a global one; it’s a universal call for justice. Standing with Palestine is not just an act of solidarity with a single community, it’s a stance against the idea that some lives matter less, that some stories are less worthy of being heard, simply because of where they come from. Solidarity with Palestine should come naturally to anyone who values justice, especially when history repeats itself so openly (image 3). Both fights are the symbol of something deeper, the human desire to live with dignity and freed from fear.
Reclaiming Resistance
Reflecting on the struggles of the Algerian Amazigh and the Palestinian people is not just about finding historical similarities. It’s about understanding that the fight against colonialism never truly ended. And the horrors many families endured are still happening 3,300 kilometers away from us.
By standing in solidarity, we reject the notion that colonial violence is a concept of the past. It’s admitting that it's ongoing before our eyes, and how we respond to it shapes and reflects the world we choose to live in. To remain silent towards modern colonial practices is to betray the legacy of past resistance and deny the fundamental right of all people to live freely.
The opinions expressed within this article are solely the author’s and are not affiliated with either the Maastricht Diplomat or UNSA.
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