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A Shared Struggle: Stories of Palestinian and Irish Hunger Strikers
238 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 21, 2024
"To be a revolutionary you must be an internationalist. You must support 'the wretched of the earth' in their struggles. We are all one." (p. 31)
The chapter "A Bird in Prison" truly made me cry. While this book is difficult to read if you have any sense of empathy, it is necessary and these prisoners stories deserve and must be told. Wow. Ireland, alongside South Africa, has been so outspoken against the illegal occupation and apartheid in Palestine and this book reveals so much more of the fraternity between those countries that have been beaten down by colonialism and occupation.
"Located in two different continents, Palestine and Ireland suffered from the same brutal British colonialism. The brutality of the British colonialization was not only reflected in the way they savagely invaded, occupied and colonized the two countries but also in the racist laws they imposed on the Palestinian and Irish people. (p. 22)
The chapter "A Bird in Prison" truly made me cry. While this book is difficult to read if you have any sense of empathy, it is necessary and these prisoners stories deserve and must be told. Wow. Ireland, alongside South Africa, has been so outspoken against the illegal occupation and apartheid in Palestine and this book reveals so much more of the fraternity between those countries that have been beaten down by colonialism and occupation.
"Located in two different continents, Palestine and Ireland suffered from the same brutal British colonialism. The brutality of the British colonialization was not only reflected in the way they savagely invaded, occupied and colonized the two countries but also in the racist laws they imposed on the Palestinian and Irish people. (p. 22)
September 4, 2024
I am in the presence of brothers, in a meadow of camomile.
Its breeze scented by liquorice and poppy, bedewed with wildflowers.
Its crystals are grape and lemon and a carpet swathed in purple.
Its stars are orange and pomegranate, a reflection tinged with amber.
Its fragrance is wild thyme - rich is its soil.
Its coffee, aromatic with saffron and affection.
I am in the presence of saints,
in the garden of childhood, in all its innocence.
Its watchman is a demon.
I am at the convergence of worldly and spiritual blessing, and the torment of regulation.
I am in a paradise fabricated by man.
Our Eden is enclosed with gunfire.
- by Khalil Abu Aram : In the Presence of Brothers (A shared struggle : stories of Palestinian and Irish Hunger Strikers by Norma Hashim and Yousef M. Aljamal
.
Without any hesitation, I give this book five stars. Some may question the connection between Ireland and Palestine, or why Ireland, alongside South Africa, has been so outspoken against the illegal occupation and apartheid in Palestine. The answer lies in their shared experience—both have endured the struggles of fighting colonialism and injustices for decades. The book serves as a powerful reminder that ordinary people unite to resist and fight against any form of mistreatment, whether from their government or occupiers. It’s important to recognize that deciding to go on a hunger strike is no easy choice. Those who undertake it are fully aware of the toll it will take on their bodies, as many testimonies highlight severe health issues, particularly with the digestive system, that arise after completing the strike. They survive with salt water to supplement their diet. Some of the prisons did go beyond to force feed them but its not always work as majority that went on hunger strike remains steadfast in their cause. They also know that without significant media coverage, their efforts may fail to achieve their goals, as external pressure on the government and prison authorities is crucial. Some prisoners who joined the hunger strike couldn't see it through, lacking the resolve for the cause. Reading this book helps you understand that about 70% of the hunger strikes were successful, though they also lost some comrades along the way. It’s also clear that Irish prisoners were treated more humanely compared to Palestinian prisoners. When connecting this to current events, especially the incidents of sexual violence committed against Palestinian prisoners by the IDF, it's evident that the situation has worsened over the years. Overall, this book is both eye-opening and essential reading to all. From the river to sea, Palestine will be free 🇵🇸
Its breeze scented by liquorice and poppy, bedewed with wildflowers.
Its crystals are grape and lemon and a carpet swathed in purple.
Its stars are orange and pomegranate, a reflection tinged with amber.
Its fragrance is wild thyme - rich is its soil.
Its coffee, aromatic with saffron and affection.
I am in the presence of saints,
in the garden of childhood, in all its innocence.
Its watchman is a demon.
I am at the convergence of worldly and spiritual blessing, and the torment of regulation.
I am in a paradise fabricated by man.
Our Eden is enclosed with gunfire.
- by Khalil Abu Aram : In the Presence of Brothers (A shared struggle : stories of Palestinian and Irish Hunger Strikers by Norma Hashim and Yousef M. Aljamal
.
Without any hesitation, I give this book five stars. Some may question the connection between Ireland and Palestine, or why Ireland, alongside South Africa, has been so outspoken against the illegal occupation and apartheid in Palestine. The answer lies in their shared experience—both have endured the struggles of fighting colonialism and injustices for decades. The book serves as a powerful reminder that ordinary people unite to resist and fight against any form of mistreatment, whether from their government or occupiers. It’s important to recognize that deciding to go on a hunger strike is no easy choice. Those who undertake it are fully aware of the toll it will take on their bodies, as many testimonies highlight severe health issues, particularly with the digestive system, that arise after completing the strike. They survive with salt water to supplement their diet. Some of the prisons did go beyond to force feed them but its not always work as majority that went on hunger strike remains steadfast in their cause. They also know that without significant media coverage, their efforts may fail to achieve their goals, as external pressure on the government and prison authorities is crucial. Some prisoners who joined the hunger strike couldn't see it through, lacking the resolve for the cause. Reading this book helps you understand that about 70% of the hunger strikes were successful, though they also lost some comrades along the way. It’s also clear that Irish prisoners were treated more humanely compared to Palestinian prisoners. When connecting this to current events, especially the incidents of sexual violence committed against Palestinian prisoners by the IDF, it's evident that the situation has worsened over the years. Overall, this book is both eye-opening and essential reading to all. From the river to sea, Palestine will be free 🇵🇸
December 31, 2021
Le testimonianze non sono legate da alcun tipo di organizzazione interna, ad eccezione della prima e ultima, rispettivamente riferite a Irlanda e Palestina, sottolineando come una lotta ora in gran parte conclusa abbia rivolto il proprio sostegno a una ancora in atto.
Le due realtá sono caratterizzate da scelte espressive distinte: sobrie e ornate per quella irlandese, brutali e schiette per quella palestinese.
Le due realtá sono caratterizzate da scelte espressive distinte: sobrie e ornate per quella irlandese, brutali e schiette per quella palestinese.
December 27, 2024
“Freedom beckoned me from the moment I was first imprisoned, it haunted me.” - Khader Adnan, martyred after 87 days on hunger strike in nitzan jail
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews