The Role of Postage Stamps in Palestinian National Identity and History

AbstractThis article examines how the Palestinian Authority has used postage stamps as a tool to construct national identity, shape collective memory, and convey political messages during what it hoped would be a transition to statehood. The analysis focuses on three themes of stamps issued between 1994 and 2023: the struggle for independence and international recognition, the establishment of institutions and symbols as part of the state‐building process, and the glorification of martyrs and prisoners. These stamps served not only as instruments of mass communication and cultural preservation but also as reflections of the authority's evolving political strategies. During this period, the stamps promoted a dual narrative of engaging in sacrifice and resistance while also aspiring for sovereignty and legitimacy. The study shows how the themes evolved over time, as the emphasis on unity and statehood gave way to responses to political crises and regional tensions. The article highlights the importance of visual storytelling as part of the process of state building and suggests how the Gaza war could affect this symbolism.