The practice of stone-throwing has deep, cultural and historical resonance, and is grounded in the age-old use of slinging stones among young rural herders whose task it was both to keep watch on livestock, and ward off predators of family flocks, and to hunt birds. Gaza, where the first intifada broke out, has had a long history of stone-throwing.
Palestinian stone-throwing is a tactic with both a symbolic and military dimension when used against heavily armed troops. The majority of Palestinian youths engaged in the practice which they regard as symbolic and non-violent, given the disparity in power and equipment between the occupying forces and the Palestinian stone-throwers with many considering it a method of deterring Zionist military forces and civilians from the occupation of Palestinian lands. It has also been described variously as a form of traditional popular protest, guerrilla tactic or action as a form of activism, or mode of civil disobedience. Stone-throwers also employ catapults, slings and slingshots armed with readily available materials at hand: stones, bricks, bottles, or pebbles. Despite their having been frequent acts of protest all over the Palestinian territories, the number of shooting incidents has been less than 3%. Nonetheless, the international press and media focused on the aspect of Palestinian stone-throwing, which garnered more headline attention than other violent conflicts in the world, so that it became iconic for characterizing the uprising.
The occupying authority’s penal code treats stone throwing as a felony, with a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, depending on the circumstances and intentions: a maximum of 10 years for stoning cars, regardless of intent to endanger passengers, and 20 years for throwing stones at people, without proof of intent to cause bodily harm. In addition a temporary measure for 3 years was enacted in November 2015 mandating minimum sentences and creating a legal equivalence between rocks and other weapons.
The topic of throwing stones is well detailed in my book Resisting Zionists’ Occupation. The book detailed several historical records of the struggle of the palestinian people. you can order a copy.
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