Harnessing Transformative Service Research to Counter the Weaponization of Aid: Supporting Humanitarian Efforts in Palestine

Al-Abdin, Ahmed ORCID: 0000-0002-5818-5736 and Raki, Amir (2025) Harnessing Transformative Service Research to Counter the Weaponization of Aid: Supporting Humanitarian Efforts in Palestine. In: Challenges of conflict transformation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, 2025-6-12 - 2025-6-13, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

Globally, 360 million people urgently require humanitarian aid, a 30% surge since early 2022, with over 110 million displaced and 260 million facing famine risks amidst prolonged conflicts. Despite the focus on Transformative Service Research (TSR) and Transformative Service Initiatives (TSIs), criticisms arise due to TSR's narrow micro-level scope. Emerging research on TSIs, an offshoot of TSR, aims to address the lack of practical implications, albeit with a heavy focus to date on refugees. While TSIs aim to enhance individual and collective wellbeing, unintended consequences often harm wellbeing instead. Surprisingly, little research delves into ‘intentional consequences,' with no exploration of the ‘weaponization’ of essential services. Delays in humanitarian aid, crucial for oppressed communities, face condemnation from both aid organizations and the oppressed. This paper centers on the existential Palestinian crisis, revealing how TSIs unwittingly aid in the weaponization of services, resulting in ‘Destructive TSIs’ (DTSIs). Contrary to existing literature, this study contends that weaponized services lead to ‘intended’ consequences, with TSIs serving as deliberate distractions by incumbents (States) for armed retaliation against the oppressed. Essentially, TSIs become tools for heightened retaliatory actions, whether by covert or explicit means. We employ a theory-based adaptation approach, as outlined by Jaakkola (2020), to develop contributions through a critical examination of the concept of TSIs. In light of the weaponization of essential services, we problematize the conventional view of TSIs as insufficient for addressing the challenges in such extreme circumstances. Subsequently, we introduce an alternative frame of reference to propose a novel perspective aimed at enhancing service delivery under these conditions, and to raise an awareness regarding the disbandment of DTSIs. There is a pressing need to explore why political actors resort to destructive tactics and use TSIs as a proxy for war, the devastating consequences for vulnerable populations, and for international awareness and action to address this pervasive issue. In the face of extremely challenging circumstances, it is vital for future research to comprehend the dynamics and consequences of service delivery in disruptive contexts. This will help uncover how services can be utilized, misused, or restricted, particularly when the political wheel tries to spin the involvement of the service.

Item Type:	Conference Item (Unspecified)
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Management
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	16 Jun 2025 09:14
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2025 09:14
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3193229