Who are the Palestinians? In this compelling book of interviews, Arthur Neslen reaches beyond journalistic clichés to let a wide variety of Palestinians answer the question for themselves. Beginning in the present with Bisan and Abud, two traumatized children from Jenin's refugee camp, the book's narrative arcs backwards through the generations to come full circle with two elderly refugees from villages that the children were named after. Along the way, Neslen recounts a history of land, resistance, exile, and trauma that begins to explain Abud's wish to become a martyr and Bisan's dream of a Palestine empty of Jews. Senior Fatah and Hamas figures relate key events of the Palestinian experience-the Second Intifada, Oslo Process, First Intifada, Thawra, 1967 War, the Naqba, and the Great Arab Revolt of 1936-in their own words. The extraordinary voices of women, children, farmers, fighters, drug dealers, policeman, doctors, and others, spanning the political divide from Salafi Jihadists to Israeli soldiers, bring the Palestinian story to life even as their words sow seeds of hope in the scorched Palestinian earth.
Autorentext
Arthur Neslen has written about the Middle East for the Guardian, Observer, Haaretz, the Jane's information group and, as a correspondent, for the websites of the Economist and al-Jazeera. He is also the author of Occupied Minds: A Journey through the Israeli Psyche.
Inhalt
Acknowledgments
Introduction
The Disengaged Generation
Bisan and Abud Abdul Khadr Fihad
Students, Jenin Camp, West Bank
Sharif al-Basyuni
Unemployed, Beit Hanun, Gaza
Amira al-Hayb
Soldier, Wadi al-Hammam, Israel
Niral Karantaji
Model, Haifa, Israel
Doha Jabr
Dancer, Ramallah, West Bank
Abdul Rahman Katanani
Artist, Shatila Camp, Beirut, Lebanon
"Nabil"
Student, Ramallah, West Bank
The Second Intifada Generation
Firaz Turkmen and Alla Subharin
Islamic Jihad, Jenin, West Bank
Ayman Nahas and Hanna Shamas
Comedians, Haifa, Israel
Asmaa al-Goule
Journalist, Gaza Citys
Neriman al-Jabari
Widow, Jenin Camp, West Bank
Tamer Nafar
Rapper, Lyd, Israel
Abu Abed
Tunnel Engineer, Rafah, Gaza
"Omar"
Drug Dealer, East Jerusalem, West Bank
The Oslo Generation
Diana Buttu
Lawyer, Ramallah, West Bank
Haifa Dwaikat
Student, Nablus, West Bank
Hala Salem
NGO Director, Amman, Jordan
Sayed Kashua
Journalist, Author, Screenwriter, West Jerusalem, Israel
Tawfiq Jabharin
Lawyer, Umm al-Fahem, Israel
Fuad al-Hofesh
Psychologist, Mardah, West Bank
Samer Azmi al-Zugayyar
Policeman, Ramallah, West Bank
The First Intifada Generation
"Abu Ahmed"
Hamas Activist and Teacher, West Bank
Rania Dabak, Naima Abdul Razek, and Shaykha Mahmud
Villagers, al-Aqaba, West Bank
Taghred Joma
NGO Manager, Gaza City
Huda Naim
Hamas MP, al-Bureij Camp, Gaza
Amal Masri
Businesswoman, Ramallah, West Bank
Fawsi Barhoum
Hamas Spokesman, Gaza City
"Haidar"
Taxi Driver, Gaza
The Thawra Generation
Dr. Nafez Rakfat Abu Shabhan
Plastic Surgeon, Gaza City
Fawaz Dawoud
Chief of Police, Nablus, West Bank
Mohammed Dahlan
Fatah Leader, Ramallah, West Bank
Nabila Espanyoli
NGO Director, Nazareth, Israel
Muna Wakid
DFLP Worker, Nahr el-Bared, Lebanon
Nawal, Eshan, and Iman Fareiji
Shatila Camp Residents, Beirut, Lebanon
Marwan Shehadeh
Web Manager, Amman, Jordan
Sami Mahmoud Khader
Zoo Curator, Qalqilya, West Bank
The 1967 (Naksa) Generation
Leila Khaled
PFLP Fighter, Amman, Jordan
Abu Adel
Sulha Committee Judge, East Jerusalem, West Bank
Mustafa al-Kurd
Musician, East Jerusalem, West Bank
Hanan Ashrawi
Civil Society Leader, Ramallah, West Bank
Raleb Majadele
Former Minister of Science and Technology, Jerusalem
Ahmad Yousef
Deputy Foreign Minister, Rafah Camp, Gaza
The Nakba Generation
Gabi Baramki
Former University President, Ramallah, West Bank
Nuri al-Ukbi
Bedouin Activist, al-Araquib, Israel
Jamal Freij
Former Well Maintenance Worker, Kfar Kassem, Israel
Aisha Odeh
Women's Center Founder, Deir Jarir, West Bank
Eyad al-Sarraj
Psychiatrist, Gaza City
Hassan al-Kashif
Journalist, Gaza City
Rajab al-Hise
Fisherman, Beach Camp, Gaza
The 1936 Generation
Jalil Sharqawi Fawadli
Retired Teacher, Abud, West Bank
Abdullah Rashid
Retired Farmer, al-Hussein Camp, Irbid, Jordan
Postscript: In Your Eyes a Sandstorm
Glossary
Selected Bibliography and Further Reading
Photo Captions