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Gaza Writes Back
"Gaza Writes Back: Short Stories from Young Writers in Gaza, Palestine", edited by Refaat Alareer is a compelling collection of short stories from fifteen young writers in Gaza, members of a generation that has suffered immensely under Israel’s siege and blockade. Their experiences, especially during and following Israel’s 2008-2009 offensive known as “Operation Cast Lead”, have fundamentally impacted their lives and their writing. Indeed, many of these writers saw the war as a catalyst for their writing, as they sought an outlet and a voice in its aftermath. They view the book as a means of preserving Palestinian memories and presenting their own narratives to the world without filters. Their words take us into the homes and hearts of moms, dads, students, children, and elders striving to live lives of dignity, compassion, and meaning in one of the world’s most embattled communities. (Some of the stories also take us with courage and empathy into the imagined world of Israelis living just on the other side of the great barriers Israel has built in and around Gaza and the West Bank to wall the Palestinians in.)
These stories are acts of resistance and defiance, proclaiming the endurance of Palestinians and the continuing resilience and creativity of their culture in the face of ongoing obstacles and attempts to silence them.
Whether tackling the tragedy that surrounds missile strikes and home raids, or the everyday indignities encountered by Palestinian refugees, Gaza Writes Back brings to life the real issues that the people of Gaza face. One prominent theme in many of the stories is the value placed on the wisdom of parents and grandparents. A sense of longing pervades the book, as the characters in the stories reveal desires ranging from the mundane to the complex—including, in several of the stories, a strong yearning to return to the characters’ long-cherished family homes and properties after many decades in exile from them. Social differences within Gaza are also sensitively explored. A few stories are especially difficult—but critical—to digest , for the vividness with which they depict the experiences of victims of Israeli military strikes and confront the legacy of violence and occupation, particularly on young people.
Readers will be moved by the struggles big and small that emerge from the well-crafted writing by these young people, and by the hope and courage that radiates from the authors’ biographies. The contributors are university students and recent graduates, Palestinians who have chosen to speak out in their second language, which is an “expressive way to be more creative in a world where words are significantly mighty,” according to Tasnim Hamouda. Another contributor, Nour El Borno, believes “that if a person can write effectively, it is his or her duty to get up, write, and help change this world to something better.”
Five years after Operation Cast Lead, these stories remind us that the pain lingers on and the people of Gaza will be forever scarred by the attack. Yet, the call for justice remains forceful and persistent, and these young Gazan writers refuse to let the world forget about them—their land, their people, and their story.
These stories are acts of resistance and defiance, proclaiming the endurance of Palestinians and the continuing resilience and creativity of their culture in the face of ongoing obstacles and attempts to silence them.
Whether tackling the tragedy that surrounds missile strikes and home raids, or the everyday indignities encountered by Palestinian refugees, Gaza Writes Back brings to life the real issues that the people of Gaza face. One prominent theme in many of the stories is the value placed on the wisdom of parents and grandparents. A sense of longing pervades the book, as the characters in the stories reveal desires ranging from the mundane to the complex—including, in several of the stories, a strong yearning to return to the characters’ long-cherished family homes and properties after many decades in exile from them. Social differences within Gaza are also sensitively explored. A few stories are especially difficult—but critical—to digest , for the vividness with which they depict the experiences of victims of Israeli military strikes and confront the legacy of violence and occupation, particularly on young people.
Readers will be moved by the struggles big and small that emerge from the well-crafted writing by these young people, and by the hope and courage that radiates from the authors’ biographies. The contributors are university students and recent graduates, Palestinians who have chosen to speak out in their second language, which is an “expressive way to be more creative in a world where words are significantly mighty,” according to Tasnim Hamouda. Another contributor, Nour El Borno, believes “that if a person can write effectively, it is his or her duty to get up, write, and help change this world to something better.”
Five years after Operation Cast Lead, these stories remind us that the pain lingers on and the people of Gaza will be forever scarred by the attack. Yet, the call for justice remains forceful and persistent, and these young Gazan writers refuse to let the world forget about them—their land, their people, and their story.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2014
About the author
Refaat Alareer
6 books303 followersRefaat Alareer (Arabic: رفعت العرعير) was a Palestinian writer, poet, professor, and activist from the Gaza Strip.
Alareer was born in Gaza City in 1979 during the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, which he said had negatively influenced every move and decision he made. Alareer earned a BA in English in 2001 from the Islamic University of Gaza and an MA from University College London in 2007. He earned a PhD in English Literature at the Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2017 with a dissertation on John Donne.
He taught literature and creative writing at the Islamic University of Gaza and co-founded the organization We Are Not Numbers, which matched experienced authors with young writers in Gaza, and promoted the power of storytelling as a means of Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation.
On 6 December 2023, Alareer was killed by an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza, along with his brother, sister, and four of his nephews, during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. The Euro-Med Monitor released a statement saying that Alareer was deliberately targeted, "surgically bombed out of the entire building", and came after weeks of "death threats that Refaat received online and by phone from Israeli accounts." On 26 April 2024, his eldest daughter and his newborn grandchild were killed by an Israeli airstrike on their Gaza City home.
Alareer was born in Gaza City in 1979 during the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, which he said had negatively influenced every move and decision he made. Alareer earned a BA in English in 2001 from the Islamic University of Gaza and an MA from University College London in 2007. He earned a PhD in English Literature at the Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2017 with a dissertation on John Donne.
He taught literature and creative writing at the Islamic University of Gaza and co-founded the organization We Are Not Numbers, which matched experienced authors with young writers in Gaza, and promoted the power of storytelling as a means of Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation.
On 6 December 2023, Alareer was killed by an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza, along with his brother, sister, and four of his nephews, during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. The Euro-Med Monitor released a statement saying that Alareer was deliberately targeted, "surgically bombed out of the entire building", and came after weeks of "death threats that Refaat received online and by phone from Israeli accounts." On 26 April 2024, his eldest daughter and his newborn grandchild were killed by an Israeli airstrike on their Gaza City home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
December 9, 2023
“Until Lions have their own historian, the history of the hunt will glorify the hunter,” Chenua Achebe.
And Now Refaat himself is one of these stories 😭❤️ REST IN ETERNAL BLISS AND COMFORT dear friend.
And Now Refaat himself is one of these stories 😭❤️ REST IN ETERNAL BLISS AND COMFORT dear friend.
December 8, 2023
Dr. Refaat Alareer and several family members were killed by the Israeli Forces today. May his legacy live on in everyone that he informed and inspired.
In his own words:
If I must die, let it be a tale
If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white, with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze--
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself--
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up
above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love
If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale
Rest in Peace and Power, dear Refaat
المرحوم
انا لله وانا اليه راجعون
Here is his Ted Talk "Stories Make Us".
https://youtu.be/YsbEjldJjOw?si=Fdat9...
In Memory or Dr Refaat Alareer by his friends and colleagues at the Electronic Intifada.
.البقية في حياتك
https://electronicintifada.net/conten...
In his own words:
If I must die, let it be a tale
If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white, with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze--
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself--
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up
above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love
If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale
Rest in Peace and Power, dear Refaat
المرحوم
انا لله وانا اليه راجعون
Here is his Ted Talk "Stories Make Us".
https://youtu.be/YsbEjldJjOw?si=Fdat9...
In Memory or Dr Refaat Alareer by his friends and colleagues at the Electronic Intifada.
.البقية في حياتك
https://electronicintifada.net/conten...
December 6, 2016
https://justworldbooks.com/praise-gaz...
From SAMAH SABAWI
Palestinian commentator, author, poet and playwright originally from Gaza:
Gaza Writes Back is a confronting, bold and intriguing book that takes us up close and personal into the minds of a young articulate Palestinian generation born stateless, under occupation and growing into adulthood under siege in one of the world’s most oppressed and dangerous environments.
This is a generation that is physically confined within Israel’s walls and emotionally scarred by Israel’s relentless bombings and incursions. Though the stories are Palestinian, Israel’s presence is felt on every page. In fact, a few writers have even tried to enter the minds of Israeli soldiers by creating Israeli characters and trying to imagine how they think and how deeply they may regret their actions. It is as if reducing the IDF to human size, imagining them capable of fear, lament and guilt helps the writers overcome their own fear of the "other."
This book also expresses anger at the uncertainty of life while the writers continue to cling to faith and hope. But make no mistake about it, unlike other works that romanticize Palestinian steadfastness or "summud," this book intimately reveals a simple truth; steadfastness is not a deliberate choice or a romantic defiant act of resistance, it is simply a human instinct to survive.
The overwhelming voices of "Gaza Writes Back" young female writers and their refined eloquence and capacity to express dissent not only challenges our stereotypical perception of Palestinians and women in Gaza in particular, but it also challenges the norms within Palestinian society itself. One can’t help but contrast this with the lack of young female presence in Palestinian official political circles.
This book is a promise of a change in societal norms and a positive sign of what is to come. Despite the horror, the frustration, the physical and emotional scars, the voices in Gaza Writes Back have not given up on their ambitions and have not resigned their dreams for a better future.
From SAMAH SABAWI
Palestinian commentator, author, poet and playwright originally from Gaza:
Gaza Writes Back is a confronting, bold and intriguing book that takes us up close and personal into the minds of a young articulate Palestinian generation born stateless, under occupation and growing into adulthood under siege in one of the world’s most oppressed and dangerous environments.
This is a generation that is physically confined within Israel’s walls and emotionally scarred by Israel’s relentless bombings and incursions. Though the stories are Palestinian, Israel’s presence is felt on every page. In fact, a few writers have even tried to enter the minds of Israeli soldiers by creating Israeli characters and trying to imagine how they think and how deeply they may regret their actions. It is as if reducing the IDF to human size, imagining them capable of fear, lament and guilt helps the writers overcome their own fear of the "other."
This book also expresses anger at the uncertainty of life while the writers continue to cling to faith and hope. But make no mistake about it, unlike other works that romanticize Palestinian steadfastness or "summud," this book intimately reveals a simple truth; steadfastness is not a deliberate choice or a romantic defiant act of resistance, it is simply a human instinct to survive.
The overwhelming voices of "Gaza Writes Back" young female writers and their refined eloquence and capacity to express dissent not only challenges our stereotypical perception of Palestinians and women in Gaza in particular, but it also challenges the norms within Palestinian society itself. One can’t help but contrast this with the lack of young female presence in Palestinian official political circles.
This book is a promise of a change in societal norms and a positive sign of what is to come. Despite the horror, the frustration, the physical and emotional scars, the voices in Gaza Writes Back have not given up on their ambitions and have not resigned their dreams for a better future.
September 24, 2024
المراجعة على إنستغرام
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DATeNa...
February 7, 2015
Wow. Why can't I write like that?
An anthology of short stories all written by young Gazans, Gaza Writes Back is diverse in its subjects, from the story of a freedom fighter ambushed to the story of a mother whose son died in prison, while all written on one particular subject; what it's like to live in modern-day Gaza. All these stories were specifically designed to hit an emotion, and all of them succeeded.
"I didn't even know if my eyes were open." So begins 'From Beneath' by Rawan Yaghi, my favorite story; it is a the first person narrative of a child trapped underneath the rubble of their home, waiting to be rescued. Yes, it's as powerful as it sounds. But hidden underneath is an even better metaphor; the story of the child is much like that of Palestine. Buried under the rubble of the Israeli occupation, they are bleeding out, waiting, hoping that someone will come and help them out while the world turns a blind eye.
Very well written, thoughtful and heart-breaking (or warming, depending on the story), I would highly recommend this to anyone who would like to know what it's like to live under the occupation, or just wants to know what it's like to be Palestinian in general, or to anyone who likes a good read.
An anthology of short stories all written by young Gazans, Gaza Writes Back is diverse in its subjects, from the story of a freedom fighter ambushed to the story of a mother whose son died in prison, while all written on one particular subject; what it's like to live in modern-day Gaza. All these stories were specifically designed to hit an emotion, and all of them succeeded.
"I didn't even know if my eyes were open." So begins 'From Beneath' by Rawan Yaghi, my favorite story; it is a the first person narrative of a child trapped underneath the rubble of their home, waiting to be rescued. Yes, it's as powerful as it sounds. But hidden underneath is an even better metaphor; the story of the child is much like that of Palestine. Buried under the rubble of the Israeli occupation, they are bleeding out, waiting, hoping that someone will come and help them out while the world turns a blind eye.
Very well written, thoughtful and heart-breaking (or warming, depending on the story), I would highly recommend this to anyone who would like to know what it's like to live under the occupation, or just wants to know what it's like to be Palestinian in general, or to anyone who likes a good read.
December 19, 2023
با شهادت آقای دکتر رفعت العریر، مؤلف این کتاب، دلم خواست متنی به این یادداشتم اضافه کنم و دوباره منتشرش کنم.
من ایشون رو بعد از شهادتش شناختم و بعد یادم افتاد کتاب رو قبلا خوندم. چقدر انسان تأثیرگذاری بوده، چقدر برای مردم غزه خدمت کرده و چقدر برای آرمان فلسطین جنگیده با سلاح کتاب، اندیشه و قصه و داستان.
پیشنهاد میکنم به عنوان آخرین کتاب ۲۰۲۳ بخونیدش یا اینکه اولین کتاب ۲۴...
من متأسفانه کتاب رو از کتابخانه امانت گرفته بودم وگرنه الان حتما دوباره میخوندمش. اون دفعه که خوندم نمیدونستم اردوگاه جبالیا کجاست، خان یونس کجای غزهست و ساحل چقدر زیباست... حالا از تمام چیزهایی که نویسندگان جوان داستانهای کتاب درموردشون نوشتن تصویر دارم و... البته همین تصاویر فقط برای اهالی اونجا و برای ما باقی موندن.
*****
اول از همه مقدمه خوبی داشت. مقدمهای چهارده صفحهای از چگونگی
شکل گرفتن مجموعه و هدفش و معرفی نویسندگانش و آرمانهای آنها، که برای مخاطب خارجی، به خصوص غربی، نوشته شده. این داستانهای کوتاه تلاش گروهی از جوانان غزه ست، بعد از جنگ 22 روزه اسرائیل، یا به قول خودشان "عملیات سرب گداخته" در سال 2009 که اگر یادتان باشد بمباران وحشتناکی بود و تصاویری که مخابره شد دل هر سلیمالنفسی به درد میاومد. من یک ماه پیش دنبال یک متن بودم، رفتم سراغ آرشیو گوگل پلاس و اتفاقی پستهای مربوط به آن دوران به چشمم خورد. فقط با دیدن یک عکس و خوندن دو پست که دوستانم که مادر هستن و برای کودکان غزه نوشته بودن، نتوانستم جلو اشکهام را بگیرم و تمام حس آن سال تداعی شد. شما فکر کنید آن مادر غزهای که فرزندش جلو چشمش زیر آوار ماند چه حسی دارد. آن دختر و پسر جوان که هیچ آیندهای برای خودشان نمیتوانند متصور شوند. آن کودک که با صدای بمب بزرگ میشود.
بعد داستانها بودند که برخی خیلی خوب بودند و برخی هم معمولی یا ضعیف. ولی همه حرفی داشتند از ظلمی که سالهاست تحمل میکنند ولی همچنان به زندگی امیدوارند.
من ایشون رو بعد از شهادتش شناختم و بعد یادم افتاد کتاب رو قبلا خوندم. چقدر انسان تأثیرگذاری بوده، چقدر برای مردم غزه خدمت کرده و چقدر برای آرمان فلسطین جنگیده با سلاح کتاب، اندیشه و قصه و داستان.
پیشنهاد میکنم به عنوان آخرین کتاب ۲۰۲۳ بخونیدش یا اینکه اولین کتاب ۲۴...
من متأسفانه کتاب رو از کتابخانه امانت گرفته بودم وگرنه الان حتما دوباره میخوندمش. اون دفعه که خوندم نمیدونستم اردوگاه جبالیا کجاست، خان یونس کجای غزهست و ساحل چقدر زیباست... حالا از تمام چیزهایی که نویسندگان جوان داستانهای کتاب درموردشون نوشتن تصویر دارم و... البته همین تصاویر فقط برای اهالی اونجا و برای ما باقی موندن.
*****
اول از همه مقدمه خوبی داشت. مقدمهای چهارده صفحهای از چگونگی
شکل گرفتن مجموعه و هدفش و معرفی نویسندگانش و آرمانهای آنها، که برای مخاطب خارجی، به خصوص غربی، نوشته شده. این داستانهای کوتاه تلاش گروهی از جوانان غزه ست، بعد از جنگ 22 روزه اسرائیل، یا به قول خودشان "عملیات سرب گداخته" در سال 2009 که اگر یادتان باشد بمباران وحشتناکی بود و تصاویری که مخابره شد دل هر سلیمالنفسی به درد میاومد. من یک ماه پیش دنبال یک متن بودم، رفتم سراغ آرشیو گوگل پلاس و اتفاقی پستهای مربوط به آن دوران به چشمم خورد. فقط با دیدن یک عکس و خوندن دو پست که دوستانم که مادر هستن و برای کودکان غزه نوشته بودن، نتوانستم جلو اشکهام را بگیرم و تمام حس آن سال تداعی شد. شما فکر کنید آن مادر غزهای که فرزندش جلو چشمش زیر آوار ماند چه حسی دارد. آن دختر و پسر جوان که هیچ آیندهای برای خودشان نمیتوانند متصور شوند. آن کودک که با صدای بمب بزرگ میشود.
بعد داستانها بودند که برخی خیلی خوب بودند و برخی هم معمولی یا ضعیف. ولی همه حرفی داشتند از ظلمی که سالهاست تحمل میکنند ولی همچنان به زندگی امیدوارند.
October 12, 2024
I am forever in awe of these courageous and inspiring people and I am grateful for the opportunity to read their stories.
free Palestine 🇵🇸
https://youtu.be/YsbEjldJjOw?si=t5HtC... Dr Refaat’s Ted talk “Stories make us.”
الله يرحم الدكتور ريفات علارير ويغفر ويسكنه فسيح جناته 🍉🫒
May his legacy live on in everyone that he inspired and in his work.
If I Must Die
If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze —
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself —
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above,
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love.
If I must die
let it bring hope,
let it be a story.
free Palestine 🇵🇸
https://youtu.be/YsbEjldJjOw?si=t5HtC... Dr Refaat’s Ted talk “Stories make us.”
الله يرحم الدكتور ريفات علارير ويغفر ويسكنه فسيح جناته 🍉🫒
May his legacy live on in everyone that he inspired and in his work.
If I Must Die
If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze —
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself —
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above,
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love.
If I must die
let it bring hope,
let it be a story.
December 30, 2023
سأختم الموسم بهذه القصص القصيرة لمجموعة شباب من غزة تحت إشراف الشهيد رفت العرعير رحمه الله من المؤسف أن نتعرف على كتابنا فقط من خلال استشهادهم.
"If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze—
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself—
sees the kite, my kite you made,
flying up above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love
If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale."
"If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze—
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself—
sees the kite, my kite you made,
flying up above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love
If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale."
September 30, 2024
❞ كلمة «غزة» ذاتها تثير كثيرًا من المعاني المتضاربة: الحياة والموت، البهجة والتعاسة، الإثارة والبؤس، الأمل واليأس، حماس وفتح. غزة، الكلمة، بطبيعتها وبمجرد نطقها، تستحضر آليًّا صورتين مغروستين في ذاكرة كل غزاوي: إحداهما لفارس عودة وهو يواجه بعينين جسورتين دبابةً إسرائيلية ويلقي حجرًا عليها، والثانية لمحمد الدرة بينما أبوه يعانقه، يصرخ يائسًا من أجل نجاة ابنه. غزّة الكلمة، رغم خفتها اللغوية، إلا أنها ثقيلة ثقل الجبال على قلوب أعدائها. ❝
إنها قصص كُتبت بأقلام أشخاص لا يختلفون عن أشخاص ما ترويه هذه القصص، فجميعهم فلسطينين تم تهجيرهم من بلدهم أو تم قصفهم بالنيران التي لا ترحم أحد أو تعرضوا لهجمات غير متوقعة وفي هذا الكتاب نتحدث عن تأثير عملية "الرصاص المصبوب" عام ٢٠٠٨ عليهم والتي استمرت ٢٣ يوم وما نتج عنها من ألم ودمار شديد.
❞ في عالم اليوم أصبحت الكلمات أقوى من آلة الحرب وأحدُّ من السيف. أن تكتب يعني أن تسرد قصة، والقصص خالدة، تعيش الآن وإلى الأبد. أن أكتب يعني أن أستعيد سلطتي على قصتي. أن أكتب يعني أن أُبقي الذاكرة حيّة لكي لا ننسى، لكي لا تتلاشى التفاصيل على مر الزمن. ❝
لو هرشح كتاب لازم الكل يقرأه فبنسبة كبيرة هيكون الكتاب ده، رائع ومؤلم بكل معنى الكلمة.
في انتظار نزوله ورقي في مصر حتى أقتنيه لأن هذا الكتاب لا يُقرأ مر�� واحدة ولازم يبقى موجود في مكتبتي أكيد.
إنها قصص كُتبت بأقلام أشخاص لا يختلفون عن أشخاص ما ترويه هذه القصص، فجميعهم فلسطينين تم تهجيرهم من بلدهم أو تم قصفهم بالنيران التي لا ترحم أحد أو تعرضوا لهجمات غير متوقعة وفي هذا الكتاب نتحدث عن تأثير عملية "الرصاص المصبوب" عام ٢٠٠٨ عليهم والتي استمرت ٢٣ يوم وما نتج عنها من ألم ودمار شديد.
❞ في عالم اليوم أصبحت الكلمات أقوى من آلة الحرب وأحدُّ من السيف. أن تكتب يعني أن تسرد قصة، والقصص خالدة، تعيش الآن وإلى الأبد. أن أكتب يعني أن أستعيد سلطتي على قصتي. أن أكتب يعني أن أُبقي الذاكرة حيّة لكي لا ننسى، لكي لا تتلاشى التفاصيل على مر الزمن. ❝
لو هرشح كتاب لازم الكل يقرأه فبنسبة كبيرة هيكون الكتاب ده، رائع ومؤلم بكل معنى الكلمة.
في انتظار نزوله ورقي في مصر حتى أقتنيه لأن هذا الكتاب لا يُقرأ مر�� واحدة ولازم يبقى موجود في مكتبتي أكيد.
January 24, 2014
The stories mentioned in this Gazan Book hold immense deals of feeling of black sadness of distress days the people of Gaza (me one of them) passed through years ago. Each December the people recall the pain again as it just happened. These humankind experiences need to be told to the whole world, because we know how much this express peace. My heartfelt thanks goes to Dr. Refat, and to those who articulate the pain in kind words.
September 28, 2024
Αν πρέπει να πεθάνω / πρέπει να ζήσεις / για να πεις την ιστορία μου
(...)
Αν πρέπει να πεθάνω / ας φέρει την ελπίδα / ας γίνει μια ιστορία
Το ποίημα "Αν πρέπει να πεθάνω" του Ρεφάτ Αλαλίρ συνοψίζει γιατί είναι σημαντική αυτή η συλλογή. Συγγραφείς από την Παλαιστίνη, κυρίως γυναίκες, μιλούν για τη ζωή και τον θάνατο, διεκδικούν -όπως μπορούν- την ορατότητά τους ψάχνοντας λέξεις για αυτά που εμείς δεν μπορούμε να περιγράψουμε.
Ας τις/τους ακούσουμε.
(...)
Αν πρέπει να πεθάνω / ας φέρει την ελπίδα / ας γίνει μια ιστορία
Το ποίημα "Αν πρέπει να πεθάνω" του Ρεφάτ Αλαλίρ συνοψίζει γιατί είναι σημαντική αυτή η συλλογή. Συγγραφείς από την Παλαιστίνη, κυρίως γυναίκες, μιλούν για τη ζωή και τον θάνατο, διεκδικούν -όπως μπορούν- την ορατότητά τους ψάχνοντας λέξεις για αυτά που εμείς δεν μπορούμε να περιγράψουμε.
Ας τις/τους ακούσουμε.
November 7, 2023
This is a collection of short stories from authors ranging approx. 19-30 years old, telling us about the daily struggles and lives whilst living in Gaza. The privilege that some hold, the weight that rests on others. I love how this simply shows us the daily life. The bombing, losing loved ones, going to the dentist, dating. Life still goes on, but the trauma is stood there. Staring these people in the face.
November 21, 2014
What an amazing project to help Gaza kids cope with their abnormal lives under a brutal military occupation.
February 15, 2024
“Gaza Writes Back. Short Stories from Young Writers in Gaza, Palestine” is a collection of short stories written in 2014 by fifteen young writers on the experience of being Gazan in the aftermath of the Operation Cast Lead, led by Israel in 2008-2009. Refaat Alareer, who died on the 7th of December 2003, was the book’s editor and I wondered, reading, who else of these young and talented writers also passed away in the recent months, a victim of Israel’s senseless genocidal rampage.
These stories speak of loss and death, pain and suffering, of memories about the loved ones. Some vignettes are simple descriptions of last moments in young people’s lives, some slightly longer ones, more contemplative, talk also about the attachment to land and trees, particularly olive trees.
“To Palestinians, the tree is sacred, and so is the Land bearing it.” and then “Between my father and his Land is an unbreakable bond. Between Palestinians and their Land is an unbreakable bond. By uprooting plants and cutting trees continually, Israel tried to break that bond and impose its own rules of despair on Palestinians. By replanting their trees over and over again, Palestinians are rejecting Israel’s rules. ‘My Land, my rules’, says Dad.” - we read in Sarah Ali’s “The Story of the Land”. In another story, “On a Drop of Rain” by Refaat Alareer, there is a beautiful juxtaposition of the reality of a Palestinian and an Israeli farmer.
Palestinians are a strong nation and many tales address this, like Hanan Habashi’s “L for Life”: “He is a boy who lost his whole family to death but never lost faith in life. I want you to be as strong”. Thinking about pictures and videos of countless Palestinian children traumatised after losing their family members recently, I wonder to how many of them this quote will apply.
The guilt of survivors is present in Rawan Yaghi’s “Spared”: “I started to wonder if the things I am living for are worth dying for”. I wish everyone in the world asked themselves this question more often.
Not all stories in the collection are equally strong but altogether they make a powerful and impactful anthology. These young writers’ voices reverberate to this day.
These stories speak of loss and death, pain and suffering, of memories about the loved ones. Some vignettes are simple descriptions of last moments in young people’s lives, some slightly longer ones, more contemplative, talk also about the attachment to land and trees, particularly olive trees.
“To Palestinians, the tree is sacred, and so is the Land bearing it.” and then “Between my father and his Land is an unbreakable bond. Between Palestinians and their Land is an unbreakable bond. By uprooting plants and cutting trees continually, Israel tried to break that bond and impose its own rules of despair on Palestinians. By replanting their trees over and over again, Palestinians are rejecting Israel’s rules. ‘My Land, my rules’, says Dad.” - we read in Sarah Ali’s “The Story of the Land”. In another story, “On a Drop of Rain” by Refaat Alareer, there is a beautiful juxtaposition of the reality of a Palestinian and an Israeli farmer.
Palestinians are a strong nation and many tales address this, like Hanan Habashi’s “L for Life”: “He is a boy who lost his whole family to death but never lost faith in life. I want you to be as strong”. Thinking about pictures and videos of countless Palestinian children traumatised after losing their family members recently, I wonder to how many of them this quote will apply.
The guilt of survivors is present in Rawan Yaghi’s “Spared”: “I started to wonder if the things I am living for are worth dying for”. I wish everyone in the world asked themselves this question more often.
Not all stories in the collection are equally strong but altogether they make a powerful and impactful anthology. These young writers’ voices reverberate to this day.
October 21, 2024
أحيانًا يصير الوطن حكاية. والحكاية نحبها لأنها عن وطننا، ونحب وطننا أكثر بفعل الحكاية. الشهيد رفعت العرعير.
………………………….
قصيدة "إذا كان لا بدّ أن أموت" : ل الشهيد رفعت العرعير- ترجمة سنان أنطوان.
إذا كان لا بدّ أن أموت
فلا بد أن تعيش أنت
لتروي حكايتي
لتبيع أشيائي
وتشتري قطعة قماش
وخيوطاً
(فلتكن بيضاء بذيل طويل)
كي يبصر طفل في مكان ما من غزّة
وهو يحدّق في السماء
منتظراً أباه الذي رحل فجأة
دون أن يودّع أحداً
ولا حتى لحمه
أو ذاته
يبصر الطائرة الورقيّة
طائرتي الورقية التي صنعتَها أنت
تحلّق في الأعالي
ويظنّ للحظة أن هناك ملاكاً
يُعيد الحب
إذا كان لا بد أن أموت
فليأتِ موتي بالأمل
فليصبح حكاية.
*رفعت العرعير شاعر وأكاديمي ومترجم فلسطيني من غزة، استشهد في 6 ديسمبر 2023 في غارة إسرائيلية على منزل شقيقته شمال غزة. كما استشهد في القصف شقيقه وشقيقته وأولادها الأربعة.
رحم الله شهداء غزة .
و الله يهدّك يا إسرائيل .
………………………….
قصيدة "إذا كان لا بدّ أن أموت" : ل الشهيد رفعت العرعير- ترجمة سنان أنطوان.
إذا كان لا بدّ أن أموت
فلا بد أن تعيش أنت
لتروي حكايتي
لتبيع أشيائي
وتشتري قطعة قماش
وخيوطاً
(فلتكن بيضاء بذيل طويل)
كي يبصر طفل في مكان ما من غزّة
وهو يحدّق في السماء
منتظراً أباه الذي رحل فجأة
دون أن يودّع أحداً
ولا حتى لحمه
أو ذاته
يبصر الطائرة الورقيّة
طائرتي الورقية التي صنعتَها أنت
تحلّق في الأعالي
ويظنّ للحظة أن هناك ملاكاً
يُعيد الحب
إذا كان لا بد أن أموت
فليأتِ موتي بالأمل
فليصبح حكاية.
*رفعت العرعير شاعر وأكاديمي ومترجم فلسطيني من غزة، استشهد في 6 ديسمبر 2023 في غارة إسرائيلية على منزل شقيقته شمال غزة. كما استشهد في القصف شقيقه وشقيقته وأولادها الأربعة.
رحم الله شهداء غزة .
و الله يهدّك يا إسرائيل .
July 9, 2019
This book was a surprise for me. I went into it not expecting much. Well, I was blown away. The writing was very good and touching. The stories were tragic and hopeful. And all together, it prompted me as a Gazan to write and share our narrative with the world. My favorites were stories by: Sarah Ali, Nour Al-Sousi and Rawan Yagi. I also very much loved the introduction to the book. Very comprehensive and well written. I can't wait to read and participate in making more books that share stories from Gaza.
September 3, 2024
“History is always repeating itself, not necessarily in the same form, but it brings the same deformity to us” (173).
Heartbreaking portraits of life in Palestine under Israeli occupation. A lot of the stories feel harrowingly similar to news reports and social media posts we see today, although this book was published a decade ago. Palestine has obviously felt the weight of Israeli occupation and violence for years. These stories, bouncing between characters of different ages, professions and backgrounds, give perspective into how that century-long burden has been felt across the spectrum of Palestinian society.
Heartbreaking portraits of life in Palestine under Israeli occupation. A lot of the stories feel harrowingly similar to news reports and social media posts we see today, although this book was published a decade ago. Palestine has obviously felt the weight of Israeli occupation and violence for years. These stories, bouncing between characters of different ages, professions and backgrounds, give perspective into how that century-long burden has been felt across the spectrum of Palestinian society.
October 30, 2023
به طرز عذابوجدان داری حس میکنم قسیالقلب(املاش چیه؟) شدم.
یعنی قاعدتن باید خیلی زیادی با این کتاب تحت تاثیر قرار میگرفتم، چون نوشتههاش از خود افراد و تجربه هاشون تشکیل شده بود ؛ ولی خب...
چطور بگ��؟ بجز اون دوتا که راجع به عذاب وجدان شخص بازمانده بود( یکیش یه بچه بود و یکیش بزرگ تر) چیز دیگه ای تحت تاثیرم قرار نداد.
شاید چون انگلیسی بودن تحت تاثیر قرار ندادن؟
آخه یه سری چیز راجع به انتقال حس به زبون اصلی هست که تو زبون های دیگه نمیشه. یعنی حتا اگه فارسی میخوندم شاید بیشتر تحت تأثیر قرار میگرفتم.
شاید.
ولی خب اصلا این قضیه به زبون دیگه حس رو از بین بردن آنقدر چیز مشخصیه که ناخودآگاه خود آدم یه سری وقت ها که میخواد تحت تاثیر یه سری چیزا زیاد قرار نگیره، یا وقتی سختشه راجع به یه سری چیزا حرف بزنه یا فکر کنه، میاد به زبون دیگه ای بهش فکر میکنه یا بیانش میکنه (مثلاً حالا انگلیسی) و براش راحت تر میشه، چون اون بخش خاطرات حسی زبان و اینا از بین میره توش و احساسات شخص رو کمتر تحت تاثیر قرار میده. (این نظریه هه یه اسمی داشت به اسم شخصی که مطرحش کرده که خب طبیعتاً با توجه به حافظهم برا اسم ها یادم رفته.)
یکم راجع به عذاب وجدان شخص باقیمانده، یا همون
Survivor's Guilt
بگم.
این چیه؟
وقتی تو یه جمعی هستی که اشخاص توش چیز های مختلفی رو از دست دادن، اشخاص یا سلامت بدنی و ... و تو چیزی از دست ندادی (مثلاً وقتی بمب میخوره یه جا و همه یا اعضای خانواده از دست میدن یا زخمی اینا میشن و تو هیچیت نمیشه)؛ جدای از نگاهی که بقیه بهت میکنن ، خودت هم حس اینو پیدا میکنی که یه کار خیلی بدی انجام دادی در حقشون و این اونقدر زیاد میشه که حتا افراد گاهی دعا میکنند که کاش اتفاق بده برا اینا هم رخ میداد .
این قبلاً خودش بیماری جدا بود که دارو درمانی و اینا نیاز داشت، الان تو سیستم جدید طبقه بندی جدید زیرگروه یه دسته بیماری دیگه است که خب اسمشو زیاد باید شنیده باشید:
PTSD
اختلالات اضطرابی پس از سانحه. که اینم باز دارو و درمان میخواد.
ولی نکته اش اینه که جدای از اینکه خود شخصه این احساسات رو داره؛ تو یه سری شرایط زمانی و جغرافیایی و فرهنگی، آدم ها هم این عذاب وجدان ها رو هی القا میکنند و بدتر میشه.
یعنی بقیه هم هی به چشم خائن و گناهکار (آها گناهکار باید میگفتم از اول) بهت نگاه میکنن که چرا بلایی که سر ما اومد، سر تو نیومده!
دوتا چپتری که راجع به اینا بود بیشتر تحت تاثیرم قرار داد، اونم نه خیلی. چون خب انواع دیگهشو( در زمینه ای غیر از تو جنگ بودن) به نسبت زیادی تو خود کشورمون هم دیده بودم.
بقیه ش، امثال این که خب نمیتونیم همه رو درمان کنیم باید انتخاب کنیم و یه سری بمونن فاجعه بزرگیه؛ ولی ما هم داریم.
و حالا خاطرات یه سریشون تا قبل خود بمب و ایناش از خیلی از شهرهای ما بهتر بوده.
نمیدونم ...
چقدر نوشتم براش!
قشنگ مشخصه عذاب وجدان داشتم از اینکه با کتابه ناراحت نشدم؟😅
یعنی قاعدتن باید خیلی زیادی با این کتاب تحت تاثیر قرار میگرفتم، چون نوشتههاش از خود افراد و تجربه هاشون تشکیل شده بود ؛ ولی خب...
چطور بگ��؟ بجز اون دوتا که راجع به عذاب وجدان شخص بازمانده بود( یکیش یه بچه بود و یکیش بزرگ تر) چیز دیگه ای تحت تاثیرم قرار نداد.
شاید چون انگلیسی بودن تحت تاثیر قرار ندادن؟
آخه یه سری چیز راجع به انتقال حس به زبون اصلی هست که تو زبون های دیگه نمیشه. یعنی حتا اگه فارسی میخوندم شاید بیشتر تحت تأثیر قرار میگرفتم.
شاید.
ولی خب اصلا این قضیه به زبون دیگه حس رو از بین بردن آنقدر چیز مشخصیه که ناخودآگاه خود آدم یه سری وقت ها که میخواد تحت تاثیر یه سری چیزا زیاد قرار نگیره، یا وقتی سختشه راجع به یه سری چیزا حرف بزنه یا فکر کنه، میاد به زبون دیگه ای بهش فکر میکنه یا بیانش میکنه (مثلاً حالا انگلیسی) و براش راحت تر میشه، چون اون بخش خاطرات حسی زبان و اینا از بین میره توش و احساسات شخص رو کمتر تحت تاثیر قرار میده. (این نظریه هه یه اسمی داشت به اسم شخصی که مطرحش کرده که خب طبیعتاً با توجه به حافظهم برا اسم ها یادم رفته.)
یکم راجع به عذاب وجدان شخص باقیمانده، یا همون
Survivor's Guilt
بگم.
این چیه؟
وقتی تو یه جمعی هستی که اشخاص توش چیز های مختلفی رو از دست دادن، اشخاص یا سلامت بدنی و ... و تو چیزی از دست ندادی (مثلاً وقتی بمب میخوره یه جا و همه یا اعضای خانواده از دست میدن یا زخمی اینا میشن و تو هیچیت نمیشه)؛ جدای از نگاهی که بقیه بهت میکنن ، خودت هم حس اینو پیدا میکنی که یه کار خیلی بدی انجام دادی در حقشون و این اونقدر زیاد میشه که حتا افراد گاهی دعا میکنند که کاش اتفاق بده برا اینا هم رخ میداد .
این قبلاً خودش بیماری جدا بود که دارو درمانی و اینا نیاز داشت، الان تو سیستم جدید طبقه بندی جدید زیرگروه یه دسته بیماری دیگه است که خب اسمشو زیاد باید شنیده باشید:
PTSD
اختلالات اضطرابی پس از سانحه. که اینم باز دارو و درمان میخواد.
ولی نکته اش اینه که جدای از اینکه خود شخصه این احساسات رو داره؛ تو یه سری شرایط زمانی و جغرافیایی و فرهنگی، آدم ها هم این عذاب وجدان ها رو هی القا میکنند و بدتر میشه.
یعنی بقیه هم هی به چشم خائن و گناهکار (آها گناهکار باید میگفتم از اول) بهت نگاه میکنن که چرا بلایی که سر ما اومد، سر تو نیومده!
دوتا چپتری که راجع به اینا بود بیشتر تحت تاثیرم قرار داد، اونم نه خیلی. چون خب انواع دیگهشو( در زمینه ای غیر از تو جنگ بودن) به نسبت زیادی تو خود کشورمون هم دیده بودم.
بقیه ش، امثال این که خب نمیتونیم همه رو درمان کنیم باید انتخاب کنیم و یه سری بمونن فاجعه بزرگیه؛ ولی ما هم داریم.
و حالا خاطرات یه سریشون تا قبل خود بمب و ایناش از خیلی از شهرهای ما بهتر بوده.
نمیدونم ...
چقدر نوشتم براش!
قشنگ مشخصه عذاب وجدان داشتم از اینکه با کتابه ناراحت نشدم؟😅
November 21, 2023
This book is a collection of fictional short stories written by students in Gaza after Operation Cast Lead. They describe the emotional turbulence of life under occupation and unimaginable trauma. No summary could do these stories justice because they deserve to be read wholeheartedly. I’m especially in awe of the resilience of these young writers, their unity, and their unwavering belief in the power of storytelling as an act of resistance. Since fiction challenges us to place ourselves in other realities, these narratives are so important in deconstructing mainstream media and amplifying the voices of those who are often censored. Here are just 5 snippets I highlighted from the book:
(1) “Gaza narrates so that people might not forget. Gaza writes back because the power of imagination is a creative way to construct a new reality. Gaza writes back because writing is a nationalist obligation, a duty to humanity, and a moral responsibility.”
(2) “And no matter how beautiful the spirit of resistance that overwhelmed us, this beauty should never override the ugliness of pure injustice.”
(3) “Years may be the length of one’s life, but faith is, undoubtedly, the width.”
(4) “If you prayed for courage, does God give you courage or the chance to be courageous? If you prayed for truth, does God give you His truth in your hand, or the chance to open your eyes? Life takes work I believe.”
(5) “By replanting their trees over and over again, Palestinians are rejecting Israel’s rules. “My land, my rules,” says Dad.”
(1) “Gaza narrates so that people might not forget. Gaza writes back because the power of imagination is a creative way to construct a new reality. Gaza writes back because writing is a nationalist obligation, a duty to humanity, and a moral responsibility.”
(2) “And no matter how beautiful the spirit of resistance that overwhelmed us, this beauty should never override the ugliness of pure injustice.”
(3) “Years may be the length of one’s life, but faith is, undoubtedly, the width.”
(4) “If you prayed for courage, does God give you courage or the chance to be courageous? If you prayed for truth, does God give you His truth in your hand, or the chance to open your eyes? Life takes work I believe.”
(5) “By replanting their trees over and over again, Palestinians are rejecting Israel’s rules. “My land, my rules,” says Dad.”
Want to read
December 11, 2023Israel murdered Refaat Alareer today, along with his sister and her family, in a targeted missile attack on her home. He was, by all accounts, a sweet, intelligent man; he loved collecting strawberries. He was also a giant in Gaza's field of scholarship and intellectualism, someone who rose despite aggression and persecution.
Refaat is the latest intellectual killed by Israel, which has targeted writers, scholars, journalists.
As western institutions and regimes continue to demonise Palestinians, and especially Palestinian men, we must do what we can to fight back. So, I'm buying and reading this.
Someday, the occupation will end.
Refaat is the latest intellectual killed by Israel, which has targeted writers, scholars, journalists.
As western institutions and regimes continue to demonise Palestinians, and especially Palestinian men, we must do what we can to fight back. So, I'm buying and reading this.
Someday, the occupation will end.
January 18, 2023
I don't review anthologies until it's called for since it's hard to judge a book as a whole when there are different stories by different authors with different wiring styles. The given description describes it well enough. All I'm going to say is, tears were shed and chapters were reread. A complete 5/5⭐ and highly recommended. The book is available for FREE on Audible membership!
July 23, 2023
Unsurprisingly given that they grew up through Operation Cast Lead, the authors of these 2014 stories focus on the experiences of bombing, loss and war trauma. The stories are a mixed bunch, of course, but the power comes from realising just how this generation was shaped by a short, devastating, war.
November 23, 2020
بسیار زیبا، روان و از کف خیابان ها و اعماق قلب فلسطینی ها بر آمده و همچنین جنبه ی نمایشی بسیار متعالیای هم دارد؛ یه گزینه ی مناسب برای هدیه دادن به هر نوع طرز فکری.
September 25, 2024
5☆ — this was such a heartbreaking experience, of a people fighting to get their voice through in a time when attempts are made to silence them. but they are loud, and the stories they have to say are terrifying to a measure that no human should be witnessing. the late refaat alareer edited this collection along with adding three of his own stories, and altogether, i cannot express just how important it is that everyone reads it.
"And despite Israel’s death sentences
Like lead
Cast upon the head,
Gnawing at our life,
Clinging to it like a flea to a kitten,
And stuffed in our throats
The moment we say “Amen”
To the prayers of old women and men Blocking their ways to God,
We dream and pray,
Clinging to life even harder
Every time a dear one’s life
Is forcibly rooted up.
We live. We live.
We do."
"And despite Israel’s death sentences
Like lead
Cast upon the head,
Gnawing at our life,
Clinging to it like a flea to a kitten,
And stuffed in our throats
The moment we say “Amen”
To the prayers of old women and men Blocking their ways to God,
We dream and pray,
Clinging to life even harder
Every time a dear one’s life
Is forcibly rooted up.
We live. We live.
We do."
August 22, 2024
This book is so important. I don’t know if I’ve engaged another text that has so loudly screamed and demanded the humanity of Palestinians. The collection of short stories are heartbreaking. The speak of life, fear, love, and grief in the most extreme circumstances a human can imagine. It is unbelievable to think this was written in 2014 and to compare that to the devastation Gaza faces today.
May 24, 2024
"Gaza writes back because there is a Palestine that needs to be rescued, at least textually for the time being. Gaza tells stories because Palestine is at a short story’s span. Gaza narrates so that people might not forget."
I feel ashamed that I only learned about Refaat after his passing. I feel ashamed that we are telling his tale only after he's gone. I feel ashamed that he thought he must die for us to do so.
I feel ashamed that I only learned about Refaat after his passing. I feel ashamed that we are telling his tale only after he's gone. I feel ashamed that he thought he must die for us to do so.
December 30, 2014
a selected series of short stories written by the youth of Gaza .. different stories different pain but the common thing about these youth writers is Hope holding on hope generating hope for daily survival .... I was thinking to myself as a young Libyan and other young libyans how would our version of stories would be ... with the collapse of the country and hoping for a better chance of a successful well established state with all the struggles we are facing ... even though the circumstances and conditions are 180 degrees different from the youth of Gaza but what is common is Hope in gaza in libya in the whole region of the Middle East.
November 2, 2023
I don't know if it's the right thing to rate this book but at the end I decided that I can't give it less than 5 stars. I've decided to pick it up because I wanted to know more about Palestine (after everything that's being going on lately) and this one was one of the most recommended. It's really heartbreaking to read what Palestinians in Gaza have being through in the past 70+ years and read stories from their point of view is so precious and important. Their voices need to be heard now more than ever.
August 28, 2014
How would you feel when a building crashes and you are left under the rubble? Your house taken away? Your best friend dies in front of your eyes.
February 10, 2019
“What is massacre, Mom?” Salam asked when I first told him what happened to my family."
Just listened to these tremendous stories.
Best I've ever heard.
🖤🇵🇸فلسظين
Just listened to these tremendous stories.
Best I've ever heard.
🖤🇵🇸فلسظين
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