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The Camel in the Forest: A Memoir from the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
In her spirited memoir, A. E. Hayoun paints an eye-opening portrait of immigrating to Israel and building a new life in Israel’s beautiful, controversial, and sometimes hostile Negev desert.
At once a vulnerable narrative of personal experience, The Camel in the Forest is also a remarkable, brief history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Camel in the Forest is A. E. Hayoun’s first-hand account of life in Israel that takes place a few years before and during Operation Guardian of the Walls; the 12-day war that came as the result of terrorist groups Hamas and the Islamic Jihad breaking the permanent ceasefire between Israel and Gaza in 2021.
In a lyrical voice that weaves together authentic experience, historical narrative, and the colorful tapestry of Jewish expression, this courageous collection of true stories brings to life the Jewish homeland of rich history, complex politics, and intricate relationships between cultures that are an unavoidable part of everyday life in Israel and the Middle East.
In the style of Yehuda Amichai and the spirit of Noa Tishby, The Camel in the Forest is inspired by ancient Judaic texts, the unique beauty of the Negev desert, and the reality of war that plagues Israeli society.
The Camel in the Forest speaks in the voice of a new generation of Israelis and will forever change your understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
At once a vulnerable narrative of personal experience, The Camel in the Forest is also a remarkable, brief history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Camel in the Forest is A. E. Hayoun’s first-hand account of life in Israel that takes place a few years before and during Operation Guardian of the Walls; the 12-day war that came as the result of terrorist groups Hamas and the Islamic Jihad breaking the permanent ceasefire between Israel and Gaza in 2021.
In a lyrical voice that weaves together authentic experience, historical narrative, and the colorful tapestry of Jewish expression, this courageous collection of true stories brings to life the Jewish homeland of rich history, complex politics, and intricate relationships between cultures that are an unavoidable part of everyday life in Israel and the Middle East.
In the style of Yehuda Amichai and the spirit of Noa Tishby, The Camel in the Forest is inspired by ancient Judaic texts, the unique beauty of the Negev desert, and the reality of war that plagues Israeli society.
The Camel in the Forest speaks in the voice of a new generation of Israelis and will forever change your understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
280 pages, ebook
Published July 15, 2024
4 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 17, 2024
This poetry collection provided the reader a unique perspective on life in Israel from the point of view of an American Jew who made Aliyah.
The descriptions of the land in the Negev desert were absolutely beautiful and accurate to my own experience there. The author did an incredible job of bringing me back and I imagine that readers who have never been to Israel or the Negev will gain a good understanding of just how incredible the country is.
The walk through the author's initial perceptions of Israelis and the culture shock she experienced were comical and relatable. The culmination in the author's experiences during wartime in Israel was a solid juxtaposition, examining the rich history of the region and the daily lived experiences of Israeli citizens of all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds.
I think it's easy to just take what we see online and in the media for granted, and an in-depth look into life during wartime is important, as so much of the West has no working concept of what that looks like and the psychological torture it entails. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in survivor testimony.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy!
The descriptions of the land in the Negev desert were absolutely beautiful and accurate to my own experience there. The author did an incredible job of bringing me back and I imagine that readers who have never been to Israel or the Negev will gain a good understanding of just how incredible the country is.
The walk through the author's initial perceptions of Israelis and the culture shock she experienced were comical and relatable. The culmination in the author's experiences during wartime in Israel was a solid juxtaposition, examining the rich history of the region and the daily lived experiences of Israeli citizens of all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds.
I think it's easy to just take what we see online and in the media for granted, and an in-depth look into life during wartime is important, as so much of the West has no working concept of what that looks like and the psychological torture it entails. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in survivor testimony.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy!
July 17, 2024
I felt like I joined the author's journey...leaving home, entering her new life in Israel, with her new family. The memoir then moves into her exploration of the land, people, and culture. Rich and moving moments with a unique part of the world, at once new through her eyes and yet full of old stories. A place where modern and ancient cultures live together in a fragile harmony.
Heartbreakingly, she experiences first-hand the destruction of that harmony, forcing her to see the land she's come to love with fresh eyes and asking questions without any easy answers. This first exposure to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict awakens a desire in her to share her perspective, so needed now in the aftermath of Oct 7th.
As a frequent visitor to Israel, this book provided a guide to the southern part of the country, the singular Negev. A loving eye that enabled me to see things I'd not seen before.
I look forward to reading more books from her. More warm stories about her day-to-day life, Jewish history and the Negev, and her personal experiences in Israel as it is today.
Heartbreakingly, she experiences first-hand the destruction of that harmony, forcing her to see the land she's come to love with fresh eyes and asking questions without any easy answers. This first exposure to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict awakens a desire in her to share her perspective, so needed now in the aftermath of Oct 7th.
As a frequent visitor to Israel, this book provided a guide to the southern part of the country, the singular Negev. A loving eye that enabled me to see things I'd not seen before.
I look forward to reading more books from her. More warm stories about her day-to-day life, Jewish history and the Negev, and her personal experiences in Israel as it is today.
June 24, 2024
I was a bit leery about reading a book of poetry. I haven’t done that since I was a student in high school. And when I received the book and saw each ‘chapter’ was two pages at most, I was curious how it would tell a story.
I need not have been worried. Just over half of this book is a love letter to the land of Israel, with special emphasis on the Negev, the desert in the south. As she writes in "Israelit":
"There is a photographer taking wedding pictures
Of the marriage of myself to the land I love and it unto me."
The depth of feeling that AY has for her new home in her new homeland flies off the page whether in an out and out ode to a particular part of the desert and its environs or in a seemingly mundane telling of a trip to the market. Who knew that such a seemingly arid area could be teeming with so much life and adventure?!
Unfortunately, the honeymoon comes to an end as the Palestinians in Gaza stage yet another attack. No more roaming thru the desert for AY, hiking new places, digging for pottery. Instead, a life of fear and trepidation, both for herself and family at home and added fear for when her husband travels for work. So close to the Gaza border, there is not much time from when the warning siren sounds until when shelter needs to be reached (or if one isn't able to reach shelter, once must throw themselves down on the ground and cover their heads with their hands, hoping not to be hit directly or with falling shrapnel).
This is a pre October 7th 2023 attack from Gaza. Once again, Israel is under attack. As the author notes, but the world fails to, these attacks are not about territory. They are about Jews. There is no sliver of land that can have a Jew on it according to the Hamas Charter. This is something that even the most left-wing Jews in Israel seem to have finally come to understand, post October 7th, 2023. But it's not the first time. As the author writes in May 2021:
“Masked men walking along the side of the highway
Knocked on windows and checked each car for Jews.”
Or in the Poem “Enemy”:
“When the neighbor you knew
Becomes the enemy before you,
Everything is changed,
Reluctantly but irreversibly.
It can never be the same again.”
The author picks up the Quran to learn about Islam, she delves into history trying to understand. But it's hard to fathom hatred that's taught from birth, our Western minds can't understand it.
When that conflict ends, it’s a while before the author can go back to her old wanderings in the desert, her explorations of new and old trails, new and old caves. Where once there was mostly wonder, now there is also an undertone of fear. Slowly, slowly the beauty of the desert, comes back again. A love renewed.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I've driven through the Negev the author describes, missing most of what she has seen. I've done a few hikes there, but it's now clear to me how much I've missed. I can't wait to explore further on my next trip to Israel.
I need not have been worried. Just over half of this book is a love letter to the land of Israel, with special emphasis on the Negev, the desert in the south. As she writes in "Israelit":
"There is a photographer taking wedding pictures
Of the marriage of myself to the land I love and it unto me."
The depth of feeling that AY has for her new home in her new homeland flies off the page whether in an out and out ode to a particular part of the desert and its environs or in a seemingly mundane telling of a trip to the market. Who knew that such a seemingly arid area could be teeming with so much life and adventure?!
Unfortunately, the honeymoon comes to an end as the Palestinians in Gaza stage yet another attack. No more roaming thru the desert for AY, hiking new places, digging for pottery. Instead, a life of fear and trepidation, both for herself and family at home and added fear for when her husband travels for work. So close to the Gaza border, there is not much time from when the warning siren sounds until when shelter needs to be reached (or if one isn't able to reach shelter, once must throw themselves down on the ground and cover their heads with their hands, hoping not to be hit directly or with falling shrapnel).
This is a pre October 7th 2023 attack from Gaza. Once again, Israel is under attack. As the author notes, but the world fails to, these attacks are not about territory. They are about Jews. There is no sliver of land that can have a Jew on it according to the Hamas Charter. This is something that even the most left-wing Jews in Israel seem to have finally come to understand, post October 7th, 2023. But it's not the first time. As the author writes in May 2021:
“Masked men walking along the side of the highway
Knocked on windows and checked each car for Jews.”
Or in the Poem “Enemy”:
“When the neighbor you knew
Becomes the enemy before you,
Everything is changed,
Reluctantly but irreversibly.
It can never be the same again.”
The author picks up the Quran to learn about Islam, she delves into history trying to understand. But it's hard to fathom hatred that's taught from birth, our Western minds can't understand it.
When that conflict ends, it’s a while before the author can go back to her old wanderings in the desert, her explorations of new and old trails, new and old caves. Where once there was mostly wonder, now there is also an undertone of fear. Slowly, slowly the beauty of the desert, comes back again. A love renewed.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I've driven through the Negev the author describes, missing most of what she has seen. I've done a few hikes there, but it's now clear to me how much I've missed. I can't wait to explore further on my next trip to Israel.
August 7, 2024
This book is not what you expect. It seems like a book of poetry about a women's life in Israel, but after reading it, this book is much more. The Camel in the Forest is a book for this age and the author's story actually helps make sense of what is going on, not just in the Middle East, but in the US as well. In the first part of the book the author writes about her journey immigrating to Israel and starting a life there with her family. There are a few funny parts about Israelis and what she experiences in Israel in her daily life.
Part two is about the Negev Desert at large but more specifically the area she lives in and goes exploring in. I enjoyed the archaeological chapters and her writing gives a clear picture of the Negev that most tourists may not be able to see on a short visit. I visited Israel about ten years ago and remember driving through the Negev to get to the Dead Sea.
Part three is about the war in 2021 started by the Hamas terr0rist group in Gaza that broke the ceasefire with Israel and started launching missiles at Israel. Like if that happened in the US, the military would obliterate the country that started it, but Israel is told by the West to restrain itself and expected to not retaliate at all or when they retaliate they are accused of gen0cide and starting the war. Part three really explains the origins of the conflict and highlights all the reasons why the US and Israel are in the situation they are today against radical Islam.
Part four and the war is over, but the author's life in Israel is changed. She loves the Jewish homeland just as much as before but she more aware of the "cost" of living in Israel shoulder to shoulder with terr0rists and enemies within the state.
I'm not Jewish but as a believer in Christ and a strong supporter of Israel I can say this book is the book we need now; more honest opinions and factual narratives from Jewish people and Israelis about what its like living amidst the threat of jihad. This book is like a commentary on the Middle East without a political filter. Highly recommend.
Part two is about the Negev Desert at large but more specifically the area she lives in and goes exploring in. I enjoyed the archaeological chapters and her writing gives a clear picture of the Negev that most tourists may not be able to see on a short visit. I visited Israel about ten years ago and remember driving through the Negev to get to the Dead Sea.
Part three is about the war in 2021 started by the Hamas terr0rist group in Gaza that broke the ceasefire with Israel and started launching missiles at Israel. Like if that happened in the US, the military would obliterate the country that started it, but Israel is told by the West to restrain itself and expected to not retaliate at all or when they retaliate they are accused of gen0cide and starting the war. Part three really explains the origins of the conflict and highlights all the reasons why the US and Israel are in the situation they are today against radical Islam.
Part four and the war is over, but the author's life in Israel is changed. She loves the Jewish homeland just as much as before but she more aware of the "cost" of living in Israel shoulder to shoulder with terr0rists and enemies within the state.
I'm not Jewish but as a believer in Christ and a strong supporter of Israel I can say this book is the book we need now; more honest opinions and factual narratives from Jewish people and Israelis about what its like living amidst the threat of jihad. This book is like a commentary on the Middle East without a political filter. Highly recommend.
February 23, 2026
The Camel in the Forest: A Memoir from the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by A. E. Hayoun offers a deeply personal narrative set against the complex and often volatile backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hayoun recounts immigrating to Israel and building a life in the Negev desert an environment described as beautiful, controversial, and at times hostile. The memoir balances intimate storytelling with accessible historical context, giving readers both emotional immediacy and political framing.
A significant portion of the book unfolds around the events of Operation Guardian of the Walls, the 12-day conflict in 2021 between Israel and Gaza. Hayoun situates her lived experience within this broader moment of crisis, illustrating how geopolitical tensions shape daily routines, relationships, and perceptions of safety.
Stylistically, the memoir draws inspiration from figures such as Yehuda Amichai and Noa Tishby, weaving lyrical prose with reflections on Jewish history, ancient texts, and cultural identity. The Negev desert becomes more than a setting it acts as both metaphor and mirror, reflecting resilience and fragility in equal measure.
At 280 pages, The Camel in the Forest functions as both personal testimony and a concise historical lens. It will resonate with readers of cross-cultural memoir, modern Middle Eastern narratives, and those seeking firsthand perspectives that humanize complex political realities.
Rather than presenting abstract policy arguments, Hayoun grounds the conflict in lived experience showing how immigration, belonging, fear, and hope intersect in everyday life.
Hayoun recounts immigrating to Israel and building a life in the Negev desert an environment described as beautiful, controversial, and at times hostile. The memoir balances intimate storytelling with accessible historical context, giving readers both emotional immediacy and political framing.
A significant portion of the book unfolds around the events of Operation Guardian of the Walls, the 12-day conflict in 2021 between Israel and Gaza. Hayoun situates her lived experience within this broader moment of crisis, illustrating how geopolitical tensions shape daily routines, relationships, and perceptions of safety.
Stylistically, the memoir draws inspiration from figures such as Yehuda Amichai and Noa Tishby, weaving lyrical prose with reflections on Jewish history, ancient texts, and cultural identity. The Negev desert becomes more than a setting it acts as both metaphor and mirror, reflecting resilience and fragility in equal measure.
At 280 pages, The Camel in the Forest functions as both personal testimony and a concise historical lens. It will resonate with readers of cross-cultural memoir, modern Middle Eastern narratives, and those seeking firsthand perspectives that humanize complex political realities.
Rather than presenting abstract policy arguments, Hayoun grounds the conflict in lived experience showing how immigration, belonging, fear, and hope intersect in everyday life.
March 26, 2026
The Camel in the Forest is a lyrical and deeply personal memoir that offers a rare, ground level perspective on life within the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A. E. Hayoun blends personal narrative with historical context, creating a work that is both intimate and informative.
Set against the backdrop of the Negev desert, the memoir captures the emotional and cultural realities of immigration, identity, and belonging in a region shaped by tension and resilience. Hayoun’s storytelling is vivid and reflective, weaving together moments of vulnerability with broader insights into the political and social fabric of Israeli life, particularly during events such as the Operation Guardian of the Walls.
What makes this memoir especially compelling is its balance. It neither distances itself from the personal nor loses sight of the historical weight of the setting. Instead, it invites readers into a nuanced exploration of culture, faith, and conflict, enriched by literary influences and a strong sense of place.
Thought-provoking and evocative, The Camel in the Forest offers readers a meaningful opportunity to engage with one of the world’s most complex regions through the lens of lived experience.
Set against the backdrop of the Negev desert, the memoir captures the emotional and cultural realities of immigration, identity, and belonging in a region shaped by tension and resilience. Hayoun’s storytelling is vivid and reflective, weaving together moments of vulnerability with broader insights into the political and social fabric of Israeli life, particularly during events such as the Operation Guardian of the Walls.
What makes this memoir especially compelling is its balance. It neither distances itself from the personal nor loses sight of the historical weight of the setting. Instead, it invites readers into a nuanced exploration of culture, faith, and conflict, enriched by literary influences and a strong sense of place.
Thought-provoking and evocative, The Camel in the Forest offers readers a meaningful opportunity to engage with one of the world’s most complex regions through the lens of lived experience.
Did not finish
November 14, 2024I am interested to read about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but this is very lyrical and I prefer to read prose. I hope to revisit this but I see I've stalled out. I think those who respond to more poetic expression will find this beautiful and engaging. I can't comment on the conflict because I didn't get that far.
July 17, 2024
An inspiring insight into life in the midst of change, growing roots, and finding beauty in unexpected places.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews