Sport’s contribution to everyday non-violent resistance in a situation of ethnic cleansing and occupation: how the experience of being a member of a cycling group contributes to Palestinian sumud

While participation by Palestinian athletes in international sports events is severely restricted by Israeli occupation policies, Palestinian participation in community led grassroots sports initiatives such as cycling, running and climbing has increased significantly in the Palestinian Occupied Territory of the West Bank since 2015. This study asks how the collective practice of a Palestinian cycling group embodies everyday non-violent resistance in a situation of ongoing occupation. More specifically, it looks at how the experience of being a member of the cycling group enhances the opportunities to express identity and affirm human rights, thus contesting Israeli authorities’ dehumanising strategies, human rights abuses and ethnic cleansing policies. A series of four in-depth interviews with members of the group explores how their experience in the group contributed to Palestinian sumud. The contextually appropriate concept of Palestinian sumud combines the Western concepts of resilience, resistance and steadfastness. An analysis of the interviews and academic literature on resistance and resilience suggests that community led grassroots sports initiatives offer opportunities to enhance inner strength and express acts of everyday non-violent resistance thus contributing to redressing power dynamics and moving towards sustainable peacebuilding. The study contributes to an understanding of sport’s role as everyday non-violent resistance, in community-led peacebuilding initiatives during situations of military occupation.