Raja Shehadeh Libri

A diary of life under siege in Palestine, from the Orwell-prize winning and National Book Award-longlisted author and human rights activist

"Provides a rare historical insight into the tragic changes taking place in Palestine"--Jimmy Carter (from cover)

It is often the smallest details of daily life that tell us the most. And so it is under occupation in Palestine. What most of us take for granted has to be carefully thought about and planned for: When will the post be allowed to get through? Will there be enough water for the bath tonight? How shall I get rid of the rubbish collecting outside? How much time should I allow for the journey to visit my cousin, going through checkpoints? And big questions too: Is working with left-wing Israelis collaborating or not? What affect will the Arab Spring have on the future of Palestine? What can anyone do to bring about change? Are any of life's pleasures untouched by politics?

'Shehadeh's voice is a rare one - angry yet dispassionate, committed yet free' - Michael Ignatieff

Raja Shehadeh reflects on ageing, failure, the occupation, and the changing face of Ramallah.

A subtle psychological portrait of the author's relationship with his father during the twentieth-century battle for Palestinian human rights.

As a young boy, Raja Shehadeh was entranced by a forbidden Israeli postage stamp in his uncle's album, intrigued by tales of a green land beyond the border.He couldn't have known then what Israel would come to mean to him, or to foresee the future occupation of his home in Palestine. Later, as a young lawyer, he worked to halt land seizures and towards peace and justice in the region. During this time, he made close friends with several young Jewish Israelis, including fellow thinker and searcher Henry. But as life became increasingly unbearable under in the Palestinian territories, it was impossible to escape politics or the past, and even the strongest friendships and hopes were put to the test. Brave, intelligent and deeply controversial, in this book award-winning author Raja Shehadeh explores the devastating effect of occupation on even the most intimate aspects of life. Looking back over decades of political turmoil, he traces the impact on the fragile bonds of friendship across the Israel-Palestine border, and asks whether those considered bitter enemies can come together to forge a common future.

Focusing on the historical and personal journey of his great-uncle Najib Nassar, an Ottoman journalist, the memoir intertwines family history with the broader narrative of Palestine's struggles for freedom. Raja Shehadeh meticulously traces Najib's escape from occupied Palestine, revealing the stark contrasts between past and present. The book delves into the erasure of villages and identities, while offering a poignant reflection on the ongoing quest for liberation in the Jordan Rift Valley, ultimately suggesting a glimmer of hope for a future free from oppression.

Raja Shehadeh was born into a successful Palestinian family. When the state of Israel was formed in 1948 the family were driven out to the provincial town of Ramallah. In 1985 his father was stabbed to death. This book recounts his troubled and complex relationship with his father and his experience of exile - of being a stranger in his own land.

"Provides a rare historical insight into the tragic changes taking place in Palestine"--Jimmy Carter.