Book Size: 6" x 9"

Pages: 232

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781623719227

Imprint: Olive Branch Press

Edition: 1

Illustrations: b&w photos

Release date: October 15, 2019

Categories: , ,

Writings on the Wall

Palestinian Oral Histories

By

$ 15

“Thomas Suarez has organized a moving collection of oral histories conveying the hopes and humanity of Palestinians living under Israel’s seven-decade military occupation… Accompanied by photographs and detailed factual text in order to contextualize the people’s memory of their experienced history, the book conveys insight into the Palestinian process of remembering… Suarez makes some important observations within the context of these collected testimonies. Focusing upon the concepts of holding identity hostage, Suarez notes that the Israeli narrative has created a human shield ‘to insulate the state from accountability’… The misinformation and propaganda spread by Israel can only be countered by Palestinian memory and its dissemination. This collection of brief testimonies emphasizes the repetitive violations which require persistent resistance by Palestinians.”

— The New Arab (Al-Araby Al-Jadeed)

About this book

"[We express our] grave concern about the continuing construction, contrary to international law, by Israel of the wall inside the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem ... in departure from the Armistice Line of 1949 ... [and] the failure of the Government of Israel to cooperate..." – United Nations Commission on Human Rights

Oral histories of Palestinians collected by Bethlehem's Arab Educational Institute.

A book that truly "sees through walls," Thomas Suàrez has organized a remarkable collection of Palestinian oral histories, most of which hang on IsraelÍs apartheid Wall. Following his forthright introduction deconstructing the so-called "conflict," the author's annotations and photographs provide background to these testimonies of ordinary people living under a sadistic, seven-decade military occupation.

Lost in the chaos of Israel's war against Palestine are the voices of the ordinary Palestinians who are its primary victims. This book puts a dent in that injustice by preserving oral testimonies collected and translated by the Sumud Story House project of Bethlehem's Arab Educational Institute and hung as posters on Israel's apartheid Wall.

Despite their brevity–each oral history occupies a single page in this book–each conveys the fears, the hopes, the resolve, the humanity of people under brutal military occupation, and their unwavering determination to realize a better future for their children.

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About the author

Thomas Suárez is a London-based historical researcher as well as a professional Juilliard-trained violinist and composer. A former West Bank resident, he devoted several years to researching poorly-tapped and newly-declassified historical archives to compile this story. His books include three landmark works on the history of cartography, and Writings on the Wall: Palestinian Oral Histories.

Reviews

“At last, a chance to hear the voices of Palestinians being punished simply for their homes being in a place that others wanted. If you think you understand the Palestine-Israel conflict, read this.” — Miriam Margolyes, award-winning actress

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