Stories From Palestine
When we see a book with the title “Stories From Palestine”, our mind is filled with vivid images that we see regularly on news channels. The visuals that flash before our eyes are very depressing, to say the least. Most of the news coverage that we see and read is of bombs, destruction, and killings, which unfortunately is the sad reality. But amid all this, we forget that people living in Palestine are humans and not just numbers. We rarely get an insight into the daily lives and struggles of the people of Palestine living in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The book “Stories From Palestine” features some awe-inspiring stories of ordinary people of Palestine.
The author Marda Dunsky presents the reality of Palestine through the lives of ordinary Palestinians, their potential, and success stories. It is a welcome departure from the regular coverage of Palestine. The author tells us some fabulous and inspiring stories of ordinary Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
In the first chapter, the author presents us with the stories of some of the farmers and cultivators. These are the people who despite all odds stacked against them cultivate and farm their land. They face many hardships and problems like the continuous occupation of their land and no or limited access to water for irrigation still they continue to cultivate and farm. It is their way of showing that this land belongs to them.
“In farming, every field has flowers and thorns. You can either see the thorns and put your hands up [in surrender] or see the flowers and weed your way through. I see a lot of flowers in Palestine. That generates a lot of promise.”
Nasser Abufarha
The author shares stories of some of the brilliant educationists, teachers, and officials who are spreading knowledge among the youth of Palestine. These are the people who are motivating the youth to “Live for Palestine rather than to die for her”. It is amazing to read the story of Hanan Al-Hroub, who spent her childhood in a refugee camp and whose husband and children were shot by Israeli soldiers. She created a learning sanctuary for second-grade pupils and from there on went on to win $1 million in the Global Teacher Prize award. Like her, there are many teachers, artists, and officials who are helping to build an environment of learning in Palestine. All the stories are inspiring and show the grit, determination, and resilience of Palestinians.
Every Palestinian child is exposed, directly or indirectly, to violence, maybe in his immediate environment, and through TV, websites, and social media he sees the violence of Israeli occupation. The images of violence affect his behavior, his way of thinking, feelings, outlook, and choices. If he doesn’t find help, his whole life will be changed. His choices for the future will be determined by these forces that surround him.”
Hannan Al-Hroub
Teachers like Al-Hroub provide that crucial ‘help’ to the children and youth of Palestine.
The chapter named “Beautiful Resistance” is especially uplifting. The artists and entrepreneurs who create amid the destruction are telling the world that we are here to stay despite the occupation and violence. Theater groups, ballet dancing academies, and breweries are signs of resistance. Running and managing these have its challenges and difficulties still people are doing it. Before reading this book I never knew and never imagined that Palestine could have theater groups, or it even produce a beer.
“Not everyone understands conflict and being under occupation. But in order to get the sense of Palestinian people to other people who have never been under occupation, you have to reach them through something relatable – like music, food, and beer. That is something people can understand. They understand that we are normal people, and we are living, and we need basic human rights like anyone else in the world. And we drink beer and eat and dance, along with all other enjoyment of life.”
Madees Khoury
Each chapter of the book has some beautiful and inspiring stories along with information that gives the readers an idea of life under occupation. The author narrates the stories skillfully with a lot of insight and information about Palestine and the lives of Palestinian people. The book provides a context and premise for the readers to understand the conflict and appreciate each story.
A must-read for everyone who wants to know about the lives of ordinary Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
About The Author
Marda Dunsky, assistant professor in residence at Northwestern University in Qatar, is a print journalist and journalism scholar. Her research focuses on underreported aspects of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Her teaching focuses on best practices of reporting and writing. She has taught global journalism on the faculty of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and has held editing and reporting positions at the Chicago Tribune and Jerusalem Post. She is the author of Pens and Swords: How the American Mainstream Media Report the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, among other works.