Seyed Mohammad Reza Mousavi Phd(with the participation of the Iranian Scientific Association of International Security) Journal of Political Strategy 2588-4565 10 1 2026 05 22 Palestinian right to self-determination Geopolitics Resistance to unilateralism Palestinian right to self-determination Geopolitics Resistance to unilateralism 33 54 244397 FA Mahdi Yeydarian University Shahid beheshti Ali Reza Mehrabi University Shahid beheshti Journal Article 2026 02 10 especially in the context of the conflicts between Israel and Palestine. The concept of geopolitics of resistance is analyzed as a political and social strategy against occupation and inequalities. Then, emphasizing the history of political and social developments in this region, the role of physical and human geography in shaping the national identity and resistance of the Palestinians and Israel's defense strategies is examined. Within the theoretical framework of critical geopolitics and relying on the resistance-centered international law approach, it is argued that the right to self-determination has become, beyond a mere legal principle, a strategic tool in the hands of resistance actors through which they challenge the political legitimacy of the Israeli occupation, increase the international costs of Tel Aviv's unilateralism, and normalize the discourse of resistance. This research shows how the right to self-determination has transformed from a passive legal demand into an active tool of activism in the following areas: in the symbolic field by reviving the historical narrative of the right of return, in the institutional field by referring the issue to the International Court of Justice, and in the operational field by aligning the diplomacy of regional countries in condemning the violation of Palestinian rights. especially in the context of the conflicts between Israel and Palestine. The concept of geopolitics of resistance is analyzed as a political and social strategy against occupation and inequalities. Then, emphasizing the history of political and social developments in this region, the role of physical and human geography in shaping the national identity and resistance of the Palestinians and Israel's defense strategies is examined. Within the theoretical framework of critical geopolitics and relying on the resistance-centered international law approach, it is argued that the right to self-determination has become, beyond a mere legal principle, a strategic tool in the hands of resistance actors through which they challenge the political legitimacy of the Israeli occupation, increase the international costs of Tel Aviv's unilateralism, and normalize the discourse of resistance. This research shows how the right to self-determination has transformed from a passive legal demand into an active tool of activism in the following areas: in the symbolic field by reviving the historical narrative of the right of return, in the institutional field by referring the issue to the International Court of Justice, and in the operational field by aligning the diplomacy of regional countries in condemning the violation of Palestinian rights. https://www.rahbordsyasi.ir/article_244397_023d7f0ae3430923c76f374ad95faab3.pdf