Palestinians in diaspora, empowerment and informal political space

This paper uses empirical research on Palestinians in diaspora in Athens, Greece to add to debates on the nature of diasporic/transnational homeland-orientated politics in relation to identity. It highlights that such politics may be more limited for those who are non-citizens, despite the fact that they may be involved in diasporic political spaces that are informal in nature. It contributes to such debates by examining feelings of empowerment, inclusion and political change within such informal diasporic political spaces. Using the examples of demonstrations and the Parikia (or community house), the paper argues that informal political space can be both empowering and positive as well as disillusioning and negative for Palestinians in diaspora.