Abstract
This paper examines the construction of citizenship vis-à-vis Palestinian national identity amongst second and third generation naturalized Palestinians in Lebanon. The research is carried out in Lebanon, and is derived from empirical findings of my doctoral research. The aim is to conceptualize the embodiment of the space within citizenship, or what is referred to as citizenship space: the capacity for citizenship to embody a multiplicity of belongings, identifications and national identities. The salience of such notions is investigated amongst naturalized Palestinians who have acquired Lebanese citizenship, and in doing so, the dimensions of citizenship space are defined. The interest is to investigate the complex relationship between the acquisition of Lebanese citizenship and Palestinian national identity amongst naturalized citizens. Literature concerned with naturalized Palestinians, or post-refugees, is very scarce. The literary gap may be attributed to the presumption of assimilation upon naturalization, a speculation which is challenged by the findings of the research. The underlying impediments to assimilation are examined, and in doing so, the Lebanese kinship myth and the desire to maintain Palestinian identity emerge. This paper engages with archival data and primary sources of the naturalization process, of which little has been documented. The intention is to discursively engage with the concept citizenship as relevant to the case study, and in addressing the multitude of theories which it has been adopted by, such legal studies, cultural and social theory, international relations, political theory, transitional and migration theory to name a few, it becomes clear that the concept does not solely belong to any. The process of unpacking and re-conceptualizing citizenship amongst Palestinian naturalized citizens has shown that, very little is understood about the complexity of this dynamic and complex construct. Addressing the spatial element within citizenship entails understanding the subjective dimensions of the concept. This paper concludes in stating that the process of naturalization of Palestinians in Lebanon necessitates a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the relationship between citizenship and national identity.
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