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Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire
Imagining the future of Gaza beyond the cruelties of occupation and Apartheid, Light in Gaza is a powerful contribution to understanding Palestinian experience.
Gaza, home to two million people, continues to face suffocating conditions imposed by Israel. This distinctive anthology imagines what the future of Gaza could be, while reaffirming the critical role of Gaza in Palestinian identity, history, and struggle for liberation.
Light in Gaza is a seminal, moving and wide-ranging anthology of Palestinian writers and artists. It constitutes a collective effort to organize and center Palestinian voices in the ongoing struggle. As political discourse shifts toward futurism as a means of reimagining a better way of living, beyond the violence and limitations of colonialism, Light in Gaza is an urgent and powerful intervention into an important political moment.
Gaza, home to two million people, continues to face suffocating conditions imposed by Israel. This distinctive anthology imagines what the future of Gaza could be, while reaffirming the critical role of Gaza in Palestinian identity, history, and struggle for liberation.
Light in Gaza is a seminal, moving and wide-ranging anthology of Palestinian writers and artists. It constitutes a collective effort to organize and center Palestinian voices in the ongoing struggle. As political discourse shifts toward futurism as a means of reimagining a better way of living, beyond the violence and limitations of colonialism, Light in Gaza is an urgent and powerful intervention into an important political moment.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2022
723 people are currently reading
13146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 519 reviews
August 7, 2024
this book is definitely going down as one of my favorites. free palestine, always and forever!!!
July 18, 2024
Through these authors’ varied perspectives as architects, researchers, mothers, fathers, poets, we see the brutality of what life under occupation looks like across generations. Israel’s restriction of movement and access to medical supplies and constant extrajudicial killings, the ever present loud buzz of drones and relentless taunting, harassment, and brutality of the occupation soldiers, the ways NGOs and empty words from the international community continually fail Palestinians in Gaza.
Reading this book in light of the current genocidal war is so fucking depressing. The most recent aggressions these writers talk about are from 2021, 2019, and 2014. The number of murdered people during those wars pales in comparison to the current. Reading this book and seeing the ways that in the past ten years, English language teachers and librarians in Gaza have been unable to get new books, that shipments to Gaza are by and large evaded by the Israeli occupation forces, and that books are banned infuriates me to no end. You really get the sense and feeling of hopelessness people feel—with every rebuilding of a house or stores or school, and with every refugee camp set up by UNWRA, there are so many bombs raining destruction soon after.
Light in Gaza makes me think of all the writers and future writers that have been killed in this genocide. Rest in peace to Dr. Refaat Alareer. I think of you every day.
This whole collection points to the only proper solution that no western government will ever back due to their clear unconcern for and dehumanization of Arab lives: the dissolution of the state of Israel that currently exists, and the creation of a democratic state where all people have freedom of movement and economic development.
Unfortunately as well, Israeli settlers are 99% racist terrorists who want to genocide all Palestinians and live in stolen houses over bones of current Palestinian refugee’s great-grandparents. And the most significant aspect of the economy in the U.S. is the military industrial complex (besides maybe oil.) Everyone who aids and abets and responsible for the massacre of Palestinians, the limitation of their freedoms, and the constant dehumanization of every aspect of their lives deserves whatever is worse than eternal damnation.
Reading this book in light of the current genocidal war is so fucking depressing. The most recent aggressions these writers talk about are from 2021, 2019, and 2014. The number of murdered people during those wars pales in comparison to the current. Reading this book and seeing the ways that in the past ten years, English language teachers and librarians in Gaza have been unable to get new books, that shipments to Gaza are by and large evaded by the Israeli occupation forces, and that books are banned infuriates me to no end. You really get the sense and feeling of hopelessness people feel—with every rebuilding of a house or stores or school, and with every refugee camp set up by UNWRA, there are so many bombs raining destruction soon after.
Light in Gaza makes me think of all the writers and future writers that have been killed in this genocide. Rest in peace to Dr. Refaat Alareer. I think of you every day.
This whole collection points to the only proper solution that no western government will ever back due to their clear unconcern for and dehumanization of Arab lives: the dissolution of the state of Israel that currently exists, and the creation of a democratic state where all people have freedom of movement and economic development.
Unfortunately as well, Israeli settlers are 99% racist terrorists who want to genocide all Palestinians and live in stolen houses over bones of current Palestinian refugee’s great-grandparents. And the most significant aspect of the economy in the U.S. is the military industrial complex (besides maybe oil.) Everyone who aids and abets and responsible for the massacre of Palestinians, the limitation of their freedoms, and the constant dehumanization of every aspect of their lives deserves whatever is worse than eternal damnation.
July 24, 2022
I know so little about what is happening between Israel and Palestine so don't feel qualified to offer my formal opinion. This is just my reaction on to this, a book that is heartbreaking and informative. Takes us from the military action against those who live in the Gaza strip, from drones, physical violence and to the cultural repercussions. Wanting only what they consider theirs and the right to live. For others to see them as they are, as a people who value books, family. To change impressions, misconceptions. There are solutions included and the ending is impactful on its simplicity.The ending sentence is, "In sum Gaza needs the ongoing Makes to end. Gaza needs life."
October 29, 2023
Everyone please read this. Rtc
December 8, 2023
This is such a fantastic read.
I read this a couple weeks ago but didn’t get the chance to review it but now with the news that Refaat Al-Areer, who wrote the first essay was martyred yesterday I feel like I need to finally write something so I can try convince others to pick this book up.
This is such an important read if you’re wanting to learn and understand what is happening in Palestine and what’s been happening for the past 75+ years.
May Allah grant every Palestinian who has been martyred the highest place in Jannah.
I read this a couple weeks ago but didn’t get the chance to review it but now with the news that Refaat Al-Areer, who wrote the first essay was martyred yesterday I feel like I need to finally write something so I can try convince others to pick this book up.
This is such an important read if you’re wanting to learn and understand what is happening in Palestine and what’s been happening for the past 75+ years.
May Allah grant every Palestinian who has been martyred the highest place in Jannah.
March 22, 2024
An increasingly important book that ABSOLUTELY MUST be read.
I must note, however, that history shows us that Muslims, Jews, and Christians did not live in peace in this land before 1948.
Yes, maybe, “relative peace,” but Jews were treated as second class citizens and sometimes less than that.
Let’s not go back to life before 1948, but YES let’s go to the future.
Let’s please, for the love of god and goddesses, leave this miserable present that is draining the life out of Palestine and shaking Israel to its core.
Let’s hold leaders accountable and liberate Palestine and ensure safety/equal rights for everyone in the region.
I must note, however, that history shows us that Muslims, Jews, and Christians did not live in peace in this land before 1948.
Yes, maybe, “relative peace,” but Jews were treated as second class citizens and sometimes less than that.
Let’s not go back to life before 1948, but YES let’s go to the future.
Let’s please, for the love of god and goddesses, leave this miserable present that is draining the life out of Palestine and shaking Israel to its core.
Let’s hold leaders accountable and liberate Palestine and ensure safety/equal rights for everyone in the region.
Read
June 13, 2024It took me a minute to build the momentum to finish this book, not because it was bad or unimportant, quite the opposite, see the thing is that Alareer's essay was heartbreakingly important when he was still alive, now that he's gone it highlights a loss that's simply beyond comprehension.
Putting a star rating on such a book would feel crass so I won't.
Putting a star rating on such a book would feel crass so I won't.
Read
March 2, 2024Please go read this, immediately!!
Wow, this taught me so much, yet words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is!!🥺🥺 The number of times I cried while reading this book was wow, wow, wow.🥲 I’m lost for words, but I want you to understand my feelings,
so here are some quotes:
🍉
“𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘻𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 of 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴,
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘍-16𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥
𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘐 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦,w𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨,
𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬
𝘐𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴”
🍉
“𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘐 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘐 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘵. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘎𝘢𝘻𝘢 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦.”
🍉
“𝘞𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘞𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥 . . . 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.”
🍉
“𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘶𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥’𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘴,” 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥.”
🍉
“𝘈𝘯 𝘌𝘨𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘣 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 “ضيه تاه” (𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵). 𝘔𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨.”
🍉
“𝘐 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦? 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 u𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 t𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘱 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦 b𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.”
🍉
“𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 k𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦, 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 t𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦.”
🍉
Rereading these quotes makes me
want to cry all over again!🥺
!!𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 & 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗝𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗺; 𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝗴; 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝗟𝗼𝘁𝘇𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!!
Wow, this taught me so much, yet words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is!!🥺🥺 The number of times I cried while reading this book was wow, wow, wow.🥲 I’m lost for words, but I want you to understand my feelings,
so here are some quotes:
🍉
“𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘻𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 of 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴,
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘍-16𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥
𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘐 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦,w𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨,
𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬
𝘐𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴”
🍉
“𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘐 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘐 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘵. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘎𝘢𝘻𝘢 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦.”
🍉
“𝘞𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘞𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥 . . . 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.”
🍉
“𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘶𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥’𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘴,” 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥.”
🍉
“𝘈𝘯 𝘌𝘨𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘣 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 “ضيه تاه” (𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵). 𝘔𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨.”
🍉
“𝘐 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦? 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 u𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 t𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘱 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦 b𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.”
🍉
“𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 k𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦, 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 t𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦.”
🍉
Rereading these quotes makes me
want to cry all over again!🥺
!!𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 & 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗝𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗺; 𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝗴; 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝗟𝗼𝘁𝘇𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!!
December 22, 2023
this was the hardest book i’ve ever read but considering these people wrote these through experiences and even risked their lives to get their messages and struggles to us, the least we could do for palestinians is to read their stories.
if you’re still neutral or think there are two sides to this, i just need you to read even one story of this. what’s happening to palestinians is nothing but a genocide. it’s such an unfair state with israel having advanced technology and breaking the laws to hurt palestinians meanwhile all those people is their voices which some of you still refuse to listen to.
palestinians deserve to live in palestine. israel must stop their occupation on the lands that were nevee theirs to begin with. from the river to the sea, palestine will be free. 🍉
if you’re still neutral or think there are two sides to this, i just need you to read even one story of this. what’s happening to palestinians is nothing but a genocide. it’s such an unfair state with israel having advanced technology and breaking the laws to hurt palestinians meanwhile all those people is their voices which some of you still refuse to listen to.
palestinians deserve to live in palestine. israel must stop their occupation on the lands that were nevee theirs to begin with. from the river to the sea, palestine will be free. 🍉
June 1, 2024
it's a collection of essays & some work of fiction, and as such it offers a range of topics (and emotions); very interesting and needed. through reading i learned a lot of details of the life in gaza which i've never read abt before, and that is really the aim of this book - to shed light on gaza, on gazans, on how they view the occupation.
the collection opens with an essay by the martyred refaat alareer, and it only gets harder from there. reading abt how many hospitals, schools, universities gaza used to have & how hopeful that was making the people…
the collection opens with an essay by the martyred refaat alareer, and it only gets harder from there. reading abt how many hospitals, schools, universities gaza used to have & how hopeful that was making the people…
on-hold
January 30, 2024soft dnf. I did not realize how dense this collection was when I started it and assumed that it would be more personal and less academic. This is a really well done collection, but I want to dedicate my time to other Palestinian literature right now.
February 14, 2024
light in gaza: writings born of fire is an attempt to break the intellectual blockade and the political exclusion of palestinian voices. it is a collection of essays and poems written by those inside and outside of the gaza strip with the aim to ensure its audience reflect, learn, and understand the palestinian experience.
phenomenal. there is so much to learn from this, to share, to ensure all know. read it.
phenomenal. there is so much to learn from this, to share, to ensure all know. read it.
December 7, 2023
Absolutely emotionally devastating and an essential read for learning about Palestine. This is a collection of essays and poems written by Palestinians and it was heartbreaking to read honestly. Please, please, go read this.
December 25, 2023
a compilation of essays and poems by palestinians inside and outside of the gaza strip.
i loved the variety and diversity of the themes and topics discussed by the writers: from poems of hope and anguish to essays on agricultural and technological revolutions needed to help advance the palestinian cause, as well as deep personal experiences of the authors.
apart from the guy that went on and on about islamism and the rainbow boi (ruined what could have been a much better read for me lol) there was a lot to learn from these voices that seldom get to speak for themselves and narrate their hopes and visions for the future of gaza.
“let me dream” by israa mohammed jamal has a special place in my heart <3
i loved the variety and diversity of the themes and topics discussed by the writers: from poems of hope and anguish to essays on agricultural and technological revolutions needed to help advance the palestinian cause, as well as deep personal experiences of the authors.
apart from the guy that went on and on about islamism and the rainbow boi (ruined what could have been a much better read for me lol) there was a lot to learn from these voices that seldom get to speak for themselves and narrate their hopes and visions for the future of gaza.
“let me dream” by israa mohammed jamal has a special place in my heart <3
Read
April 13, 2022An emotionally and intellectually sophisticated collection that is deep, processed and enlightening.
January 9, 2024
A really interesting collection of writings on Gaza from its own residents. Poetry, academic essays and deeply personal creative nonfiction combine to tell a fuller story.
June 6, 2024
What a smart, nuanced collection: Light in Gaza is poetic and informative, addressing topics as diverse as architecture, queer relationality, literary community-building, technological innovation, international exchange, religious fundamentalism, and more. This text is just as important as its meta-text: rather than being a book about Palestine (whether written by a Palestinian in diaspora or non-Palestinian ~expert~) this book is written by Gazans themselves, whose perspectives are formed and informed by their lived realities.
The result, I think, is a text that shakes off the explicit and implicit demands embedded in euroamerican narratives of Palestine: that Palestinians be either perfect, tragic martyrs or violent, irredeemable villains. Even good-faith discussions of Palestinian return, identity, and suffering that are published in English tend to ignore nuance and internal debate among actual Palestinian people, and sites of conflict are obscured for fear that they may detract from the fight for liberation. This is not without cause, either, as one of the most common forms of racist rhetoric lobbed at pro-Palestine activists is the false claim that all Palestinians [and all Muslims] are extremists, misogynists, anti-queer, backward, and close-minded.
This collection is, I think, the first that I've read that refuses to shy away from bigotry and marginalization, as well as toxic fundamentalism, in Palestinian communities, *and* assert on no uncertain terms that Palestine must, and indeed will, be free. Palestinians are permitted to be flawed and contradictory, have challenging relationships and experience conflict and unsureness, and also be completely firm in their pursuit of self-determination. The ability to hold all of this at once, neither to condemn nor sugar-coat, is a kind of resistance to dehumanization only possible through this on-the-ground engagement. Likewise, the kind of practical knowledge required of people deprived routinely of food, electricity, water, education, and basic safety that authors generously share here is so important precisely it was, as the title indicates, born of [and forged by] fire.
This book is an incredible accomplishment and I'm honored to have encountered it.
The result, I think, is a text that shakes off the explicit and implicit demands embedded in euroamerican narratives of Palestine: that Palestinians be either perfect, tragic martyrs or violent, irredeemable villains. Even good-faith discussions of Palestinian return, identity, and suffering that are published in English tend to ignore nuance and internal debate among actual Palestinian people, and sites of conflict are obscured for fear that they may detract from the fight for liberation. This is not without cause, either, as one of the most common forms of racist rhetoric lobbed at pro-Palestine activists is the false claim that all Palestinians [and all Muslims] are extremists, misogynists, anti-queer, backward, and close-minded.
This collection is, I think, the first that I've read that refuses to shy away from bigotry and marginalization, as well as toxic fundamentalism, in Palestinian communities, *and* assert on no uncertain terms that Palestine must, and indeed will, be free. Palestinians are permitted to be flawed and contradictory, have challenging relationships and experience conflict and unsureness, and also be completely firm in their pursuit of self-determination. The ability to hold all of this at once, neither to condemn nor sugar-coat, is a kind of resistance to dehumanization only possible through this on-the-ground engagement. Likewise, the kind of practical knowledge required of people deprived routinely of food, electricity, water, education, and basic safety that authors generously share here is so important precisely it was, as the title indicates, born of [and forged by] fire.
This book is an incredible accomplishment and I'm honored to have encountered it.
February 3, 2024
WOW: this collection is equal parts sobering, inspiring, and enlightening. After buddy reading of the Hundred Years' War on Palestine, my friend Adriana and I were hoping to find something with more of a human scale. Light in Gaza offers this and so much more, and it indicates how so much more is required of those of us who bear witness to everyday people's suffering under the Israeli occupation.
I think my favorite part of this book was how many different angles the contributors took in sharing their experiences of life in Gaza. Some essayists offered creative and thoughtful explanations of how their hobbies, passions, and professions were influenced by the occupation; while others focused on how their family ties have been impacted by the blockade and travel restrictions. Essayists with particular connections to kids described how their children or students dreamed about Palestine's future, and the many skilled poets featured in this collection shared their own dreams and nightmares in verse.
There are so many great examples to share, but I'll try to summarize some of the most memorable or eye-opening to me: First, while reading Asmaa Abu Mezied's essay, I learned about how the occupation has robbed many Palestinians in Gaza of their families' agricultural heritage, and also how many people are--against all odds--working to reconnect with the land through continued stewardship. Mosab Abu Toha's essay focuses on his work to make it possible for other refugees in Gaza to share his love for English literature. In the process of just trying to provide library access for his neighbors, he ends up taking on all these endeavors to catalog Gaza's artistic and cultural presence, showing (again) just how many ways there are to tie our passions to our solidarity with other oppressed people.
Other people spoke less about their hobbies/professions, and more about their family ties. This was just as impactful to read about. Again, just a few of the many meaningful examples: Israa Mohammed Jamal's essay really drove home the intergenerational and inherited nature of refugee status in Gaza, a thread that Shahd Abusalama introduced earlier in the collection with the concept of "permanent temporality". And of course, Refaat Alareer's essay, "Gaza Asks: When Shall This Pass?" was just so haunting. In one part of this piece, he references a 2021 NYT op-ed of his , where he states that his wife "Nusayba and I are a perfectly average Palestinian couple: Between us we have lost more than 30 relatives." To hear Dr. Alareer write about how Israel has already murdered his brother and his wife's sister, amongst many other friends and family members, and realizing how much compounding grief his murder (which was accompanied by the murder of his brother, sister, and niblings) must have created not just for his wife and children, but also for the many people in his community who'd already lost so many others they know?!?
This was my first time ever reading a book where I had to Google which of the authors were still living, and which had been killed due to the genocide they are facing. It's also evil reading this book, knowing that my country is the reason this is still happening. Knowing that the writers in this collection are describing the unfathomable pain of living through the wars in 2014 and 2021, and knowing that by many accounts, this current war is considered to be even worse. It's things like this that leave me feeling that there are really no words, only hellfire awaiting those of us who profit from the settler colonial ways of this world.
As much as there is despair and deep guilt for the role we play in Gaza's suffering as Americans, there is also so much opportunity/inspiration for action in this collection. To go back to the earlier point about the variety of these essays and poems, I think this shows how everyone in this collection is literally taking whatever knowledge, words, and relations they have and using them to resist the occupation, and work to create as many possible instances of Light in Gaza. This provides so many entrypoints to think about on our side of things. Nearly every part of my life could be more in support of the Palestinian resistance, and that is the constant goal I see for me moving forward. It's clear from this book just how many everyday people in Gaza have continued to find ways to support and strengthen their communities, in light of insurmountable repression. While I don't know if it's even possible for someone like to me to mirror their bravery, I am at least really hoping to mirror their creativity. To continue figuring out how even more of my spare time, my hobbies, my economic choices, and relationships can support the end of the occupation.
So in a terribly weird closing, I'll say that I am incredibly thankful to have gotten to read this book, and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
I think my favorite part of this book was how many different angles the contributors took in sharing their experiences of life in Gaza. Some essayists offered creative and thoughtful explanations of how their hobbies, passions, and professions were influenced by the occupation; while others focused on how their family ties have been impacted by the blockade and travel restrictions. Essayists with particular connections to kids described how their children or students dreamed about Palestine's future, and the many skilled poets featured in this collection shared their own dreams and nightmares in verse.
There are so many great examples to share, but I'll try to summarize some of the most memorable or eye-opening to me: First, while reading Asmaa Abu Mezied's essay, I learned about how the occupation has robbed many Palestinians in Gaza of their families' agricultural heritage, and also how many people are--against all odds--working to reconnect with the land through continued stewardship. Mosab Abu Toha's essay focuses on his work to make it possible for other refugees in Gaza to share his love for English literature. In the process of just trying to provide library access for his neighbors, he ends up taking on all these endeavors to catalog Gaza's artistic and cultural presence, showing (again) just how many ways there are to tie our passions to our solidarity with other oppressed people.
Other people spoke less about their hobbies/professions, and more about their family ties. This was just as impactful to read about. Again, just a few of the many meaningful examples: Israa Mohammed Jamal's essay really drove home the intergenerational and inherited nature of refugee status in Gaza, a thread that Shahd Abusalama introduced earlier in the collection with the concept of "permanent temporality". And of course, Refaat Alareer's essay, "Gaza Asks: When Shall This Pass?" was just so haunting. In one part of this piece, he references a 2021 NYT op-ed of his , where he states that his wife "Nusayba and I are a perfectly average Palestinian couple: Between us we have lost more than 30 relatives." To hear Dr. Alareer write about how Israel has already murdered his brother and his wife's sister, amongst many other friends and family members, and realizing how much compounding grief his murder (which was accompanied by the murder of his brother, sister, and niblings) must have created not just for his wife and children, but also for the many people in his community who'd already lost so many others they know?!?
This was my first time ever reading a book where I had to Google which of the authors were still living, and which had been killed due to the genocide they are facing. It's also evil reading this book, knowing that my country is the reason this is still happening. Knowing that the writers in this collection are describing the unfathomable pain of living through the wars in 2014 and 2021, and knowing that by many accounts, this current war is considered to be even worse. It's things like this that leave me feeling that there are really no words, only hellfire awaiting those of us who profit from the settler colonial ways of this world.
As much as there is despair and deep guilt for the role we play in Gaza's suffering as Americans, there is also so much opportunity/inspiration for action in this collection. To go back to the earlier point about the variety of these essays and poems, I think this shows how everyone in this collection is literally taking whatever knowledge, words, and relations they have and using them to resist the occupation, and work to create as many possible instances of Light in Gaza. This provides so many entrypoints to think about on our side of things. Nearly every part of my life could be more in support of the Palestinian resistance, and that is the constant goal I see for me moving forward. It's clear from this book just how many everyday people in Gaza have continued to find ways to support and strengthen their communities, in light of insurmountable repression. While I don't know if it's even possible for someone like to me to mirror their bravery, I am at least really hoping to mirror their creativity. To continue figuring out how even more of my spare time, my hobbies, my economic choices, and relationships can support the end of the occupation.
So in a terribly weird closing, I'll say that I am incredibly thankful to have gotten to read this book, and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
December 11, 2023
Dec 2023: Light In Gaza: Writings Born In Fire
What happened in Gaza today did not start on 7th Oct. This collection of essays and poems tells the life of Gazans from a different perspective.
The stories made me feel suffocated, reading about the occupation by Zionists. All sorts of repressions and torments not just during war. Not only as of 7th October 2023.
Among my favourites, and recommendations:
🍉Gaza Asks: When Shall This Pass?
🍉On Why We Still Hold Onto Our Phones and Keep Recording
🍉Lost Identity: The Tale of Peasantry and Nature
🍉People's Light In Gaza's Darkness
🍉Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Restoring Palestinian Rights and Improving the Quality of Life
🍉Exporting Oranges and Short Stories: Cultural Struggle in the Gaza Strip
🍉Let Me Dream
There are also other struggles mentioned in the book: resistance through art, book banning, sexual orientation and a mother's dilemma bringing up her children in war.
Despite that, you will be amazed at how the people of Gaza survive, and remain steadfast and strong. I end here with some of my favourite quotes, check out my ig.
What happened in Gaza today did not start on 7th Oct. This collection of essays and poems tells the life of Gazans from a different perspective.
The stories made me feel suffocated, reading about the occupation by Zionists. All sorts of repressions and torments not just during war. Not only as of 7th October 2023.
Among my favourites, and recommendations:
🍉Gaza Asks: When Shall This Pass?
🍉On Why We Still Hold Onto Our Phones and Keep Recording
🍉Lost Identity: The Tale of Peasantry and Nature
🍉People's Light In Gaza's Darkness
🍉Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Restoring Palestinian Rights and Improving the Quality of Life
🍉Exporting Oranges and Short Stories: Cultural Struggle in the Gaza Strip
🍉Let Me Dream
There are also other struggles mentioned in the book: resistance through art, book banning, sexual orientation and a mother's dilemma bringing up her children in war.
Despite that, you will be amazed at how the people of Gaza survive, and remain steadfast and strong. I end here with some of my favourite quotes, check out my ig.
July 10, 2024
a challenging read. to read a line like “the editorial committee of this anthology were less concerned with deadlines and submissions and more concerned with the literal physical safety of the authors” like...yeah. how often do you finish an anthology and go to check, with dread in your throat, which contributors are still alive, and which are not. to read the following from the now deceased Refaat Alareer:
we are failing Palestine and its people. I say this not in censure but as a matter of fact. there is more that every single one of us, especially but not exclusively those of us living in the united states, could be doing.
here are some resources, pieces of wisdom, painful reminders, and new learnings that this book’s contributors taught me:
from “lost identity: the tale of peasantry and nature” by Asmaa Abu Mezied:
1.
2. (on the cultivation of strawberries, one of Gaza’s major, indeed one of its only, exports)
from “people’s light in Gaza’s darkness” by Suhail Taha:
1. (I was struck by—among other things—the similarity of the nursery rhyme to “there’s a hole in the bucket”)
2.
3.
from “artificial intelligence as a tool for restoring Palestinian rights and improving the quality of life” by Nour Naim, translated by Anas Abu Samhan:
1. Palestine Open Maps
2. Palestine VR (interesting to note that a similar concept was written about very differently in Palestine +100)
from “exporting oranges and short stories: cultural struggle in the Gaza Strip” by Mosab Abu Toha:
1. Sol Band, whose soundcloud can be found here; they are also featured on this saint levant song
2.
from “Gaza 2050: three scenarios” by Basman Aldirawi:
1.
2.
I’m going to be thinking about the pieces by Dorgham Abusalim and—most of all—Israa Mohammed Jamal for a very long time. in her piece, Jamal wrote passionately about hoping her natal family would return to Gaza, but there is only so much one can endure, and updates about the attempts of Jamal’s marital family to flee Gaza can be found here.
I remember when I first heard the question, “How many more Palestinians should be massacred for the world to care about our lives?” I thought, naïvely, that repeating the question would change people. it would make them think and reconsider their positions. I posted it all over the forums I was part of then. But Israel kept kilig us. And Israel kept destroying our lives. And boy was I wrong about the world’s reaction!
[...]
Sometimes late at night when insomnia hits, I wonder if it is all worth it, if anything will ever change.
When I was approached to write for this book, the promise was that it will effect change and that policies, especially in the United States, will be improved. But, honestly, will they? Does a single Palestinian life matter? Does it?
we are failing Palestine and its people. I say this not in censure but as a matter of fact. there is more that every single one of us, especially but not exclusively those of us living in the united states, could be doing.
here are some resources, pieces of wisdom, painful reminders, and new learnings that this book’s contributors taught me:
from “lost identity: the tale of peasantry and nature” by Asmaa Abu Mezied:
1.
There is a famous saying by the Islamic scholar Muhammad al-Sha’rawi that people, including Palestinians, always recite: [...] He who doesn’t eat from his axe doesn’t speak from his head. This saying speaks to the central importance of agriculture (and local production) as a need and source of support, critical to the independence of the individual and the family. This is why Israel continues to attack agriculture and the promise of independence it implies, and why Palestinians continue to hold onto agriculture—its vision and its practice—despite their gradually diminishing capacities.
2. (on the cultivation of strawberries, one of Gaza’s major, indeed one of its only, exports)
This cash crop not only harms Gaza’s natural resources, future food security, and livelihood but also Gaza’s landscape. [...] Strawberries, furthermore, can only be exported through Israeli companies that sell them as Israeli products.
from “people’s light in Gaza’s darkness” by Suhail Taha:
1. (I was struck by—among other things—the similarity of the nursery rhyme to “there’s a hole in the bucket”)
Abu Tariq is not a university graduate or formally educated. However, he is deeply cultured, well-read and, by necessity, a student of politics. [...] He recalls a nursery rhyme from his childhood that goes along the lines of: “The box needs a key, the key is with the blacksmith, the blacksmith wants an egg, the egg is with the hens, the hens want wheat, the wheat needs the mill, and the mill is closed due to muddy water.” According to Abu Tariq: “This little song helps us understand the problem of electricity in Gaza.”
2.
[Abu Tariq] puts his mind at peace in the midst of pitch-black darkness. What could be more beautiful than a darkness that keeps reminding us of our steadfastness, a darkness interrupted only by the light of the moon? For “he who clouds the moon doesn’t avoid the night.”
3.
At last, Khalid surrenders to sleep, and in the stillness that now accompanies the darkness, grandmother’s muttering becomes intelligible: “God is the Light of the heavens and the earth; the likeness of His Light is as a niche wherein is a lamp (the lamp in a glass, the glass as it were a glittering star) kindled from a Blessed Tree, an olive that is neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil well night would shine, even if no fire touched it; Light upon Light.”
from “artificial intelligence as a tool for restoring Palestinian rights and improving the quality of life” by Nour Naim, translated by Anas Abu Samhan:
1. Palestine Open Maps
2. Palestine VR (interesting to note that a similar concept was written about very differently in Palestine +100)
from “exporting oranges and short stories: cultural struggle in the Gaza Strip” by Mosab Abu Toha:
1. Sol Band, whose soundcloud can be found here; they are also featured on this saint levant song
2.
When we [Abu Toha and his young students] hear the Israeli drones in the sky, we convince ourselves that they are videotaping us while we are playing a match with the winner of the European Champions League, or dancing dabka as part of a cultural festival in our newly built theater overlooking the harbor.
from “Gaza 2050: three scenarios” by Basman Aldirawi:
1.
Supposedly, we are two independent states, but the reality favors Israel. We have our own airport and seaport, but Israel still imposes restrictions over their use, citing the need to maintain security as its excuse.
2.
Humanitarian aid shows no results—it’s a proven failure. It just perpetuates the same cycle of crisis and injustice. Gaza needs much more than that. Gaza needs a real solution.
I’m going to be thinking about the pieces by Dorgham Abusalim and—most of all—Israa Mohammed Jamal for a very long time. in her piece, Jamal wrote passionately about hoping her natal family would return to Gaza, but there is only so much one can endure, and updates about the attempts of Jamal’s marital family to flee Gaza can be found here.
December 21, 2025
5⭐️
“Regimes of oppression work tirelessly to render the historical context of oppressed people irrelevant and obscure. Their final goal is to portray oppressed people and their struggles for reclaiming their rights as irrational and, at worst, reduce them to a threat against those who built their privilege at the expense of others.”
...
Incredibly heartbreaking, but I hope for a better future and dream of freedom and joy for those in Gaza. Told from the many perspectives of architects, researchers, mothers, fathers, and poets, Light in Gaza shares stories from those who have been directly impacted across generations.
If you want to be more aware of this continuing conflict and genocide, I think this is the book for you. It is essential to hear these stories, regardless of how difficult they may be to listen to. Palestinians deserve to live in Palestine. They deserve peace, joy, and freedom. I can't recommend this enough.
“Regimes of oppression work tirelessly to render the historical context of oppressed people irrelevant and obscure. Their final goal is to portray oppressed people and their struggles for reclaiming their rights as irrational and, at worst, reduce them to a threat against those who built their privilege at the expense of others.”
...
Incredibly heartbreaking, but I hope for a better future and dream of freedom and joy for those in Gaza. Told from the many perspectives of architects, researchers, mothers, fathers, and poets, Light in Gaza shares stories from those who have been directly impacted across generations.
If you want to be more aware of this continuing conflict and genocide, I think this is the book for you. It is essential to hear these stories, regardless of how difficult they may be to listen to. Palestinians deserve to live in Palestine. They deserve peace, joy, and freedom. I can't recommend this enough.
February 21, 2024
Beautifully written and narrated. A mix of both factual and personal accounts from Gaza. Very eye opening to their life under occupation. I believe this is a must read for everyone in countries involved.
A powerful call to action as well. What can and will we do? Personally I wish there was so much more.
A powerful call to action as well. What can and will we do? Personally I wish there was so much more.
Read
August 20, 2025An insightful and comprehensive portrait of Gaza from 2021 told through personal narratives, research essays, prose, and poetry. Some of my favourite chapters in this were surprisingly the more academic ones on topics like the unique connections of farmers to their land, the implications of lacking control over basic infrastructure like electricity, and the serious dangers of but also opportunities for AI in Palestine. I especially appreciated the chapter about the role of libraries and bookstores in Gaza.
September 7, 2024
completely heart wrenching, but so educational
December 18, 2023
[4.5 stars] A collection of essays, poetry, and photography from Palestinian writers from and/or living in Gaza. When one of my favorite indie publishers started offering Palestine-related e-books for free (https://www.haymarketbooks.org/blogs/...), this was one of the three I hadn’t read. It’s a good companion to the other two offerings on the BDS movement and Palestine and Socialism.
The essays are a combo of first-person accounts and academic chapters on a range of issues, such as agriculture, literature, technology, and forced migration. Although originally published in 2022, the basic information and many facts remain urgent and relevant to the current campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide by the Israeli government and military. The tone varies widely between pieces, but it’s also not necessary to closely read the more academically dense ones to understand the primary themes, messages, and experiences.
All of them weave in histories of war and occupation (mostly post-Nakba but a bit pre-1948 as well), themes of food and family, and glimpses of daily life and political tensions. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a primary convener, though many essays remain critical of the broader humanitarian infrastructure (of which AFSC is a part).
Standouts for me include pieces by recently murdered writer and poet Refaat Alareer, Shahd Abusalama, Mosab Abu Toha, Yousef M. Aljamal, and Basman Aldirawi. Highly recommended for those interested in reading Palestinian perspectives, learning about firsthand experiences and community projects, and gaining deeper context and history of Gaza prior this past fall.
Goodreads Challenge 2023: 43/52
Nonfiction Reading Challenge: about travel
The essays are a combo of first-person accounts and academic chapters on a range of issues, such as agriculture, literature, technology, and forced migration. Although originally published in 2022, the basic information and many facts remain urgent and relevant to the current campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide by the Israeli government and military. The tone varies widely between pieces, but it’s also not necessary to closely read the more academically dense ones to understand the primary themes, messages, and experiences.
All of them weave in histories of war and occupation (mostly post-Nakba but a bit pre-1948 as well), themes of food and family, and glimpses of daily life and political tensions. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a primary convener, though many essays remain critical of the broader humanitarian infrastructure (of which AFSC is a part).
Standouts for me include pieces by recently murdered writer and poet Refaat Alareer, Shahd Abusalama, Mosab Abu Toha, Yousef M. Aljamal, and Basman Aldirawi. Highly recommended for those interested in reading Palestinian perspectives, learning about firsthand experiences and community projects, and gaining deeper context and history of Gaza prior this past fall.
Goodreads Challenge 2023: 43/52
Nonfiction Reading Challenge: about travel
February 4, 2024
Thank you Haymarket for making this ebook available for free: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/...
This collection offers a variety of voices on the experience of Gaza. Some entries are more academic, some are personal, and there’s even a few entries of poetry. Some authors detail their lived experiences and familial histories, some focus on particular topics like architecture or AI, while others seek to imagine a future for Gaza and Palestinians. It’s broad and ambitious in scope and essential reading, especially in our present moment.
As with all collected works, I found myself connecting with or more interested in some entries than others, but I found all valuable.
My personal highlight of the book was an essay about the history of agriculture in Palestinian culture, the role agriculture has played in Palestinian identity, and how agriculture can be viewed as a form of resistance to occupation.
The essay by Refaat Alareer was especially affecting in the wake of his murder by Israel in the current genocide. I also appreciated an essay that imagined three possible futures for Gaza in 2050. While the details of the essay were arguably simplistic, this exercise in and of itself I think is a hugely powerful one.
Overall, it’s a collection that centres Gazan voices in the fight for Palestinian liberation and I highly recommend it.
This collection offers a variety of voices on the experience of Gaza. Some entries are more academic, some are personal, and there’s even a few entries of poetry. Some authors detail their lived experiences and familial histories, some focus on particular topics like architecture or AI, while others seek to imagine a future for Gaza and Palestinians. It’s broad and ambitious in scope and essential reading, especially in our present moment.
As with all collected works, I found myself connecting with or more interested in some entries than others, but I found all valuable.
My personal highlight of the book was an essay about the history of agriculture in Palestinian culture, the role agriculture has played in Palestinian identity, and how agriculture can be viewed as a form of resistance to occupation.
The essay by Refaat Alareer was especially affecting in the wake of his murder by Israel in the current genocide. I also appreciated an essay that imagined three possible futures for Gaza in 2050. While the details of the essay were arguably simplistic, this exercise in and of itself I think is a hugely powerful one.
Overall, it’s a collection that centres Gazan voices in the fight for Palestinian liberation and I highly recommend it.
March 8, 2024
Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire edited by Jehad Abusalim; Jennifer Bing; Mike Merryman-Lotze is a great book! I enjoyed how the audiobook had two narrators and both Amin El Gamal and Hanne Rickert were excellent. These essays share personal experiences and histories that shed light on the Palestinian experience in Gaza and also look to the future. I especially liked learning more about how hard it was to build a library in Gaza and to even get the books. This is a difficult but important read.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media via NetGalley for my ALC!
Thank you to Dreamscape Media via NetGalley for my ALC!
January 6, 2024
stared at the wall every 50 pages…. so potent nd poignant.
i wish i cld get a view at some of the books that were destroyed in the uni bl@sts because they sounded so fascinating. writing was very accessible nd not info-dumpy at all, the historical essay chapters were so good at explaining palestinian history.
loved it!
i wish i cld get a view at some of the books that were destroyed in the uni bl@sts because they sounded so fascinating. writing was very accessible nd not info-dumpy at all, the historical essay chapters were so good at explaining palestinian history.
loved it!
November 12, 2023
This is a moving and inspiring collection of nonfiction essays, poetry, and creative writing about life under apartheid in Gaza. I got this for free here https://www.haymarketbooks.org/blogs/....
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