Ghassan Kanafani's "Letter from Gaza" is a poignant short story that captures the experiences of Palestinians living under occupation. Written in 1956, it offers a glimpse into the daily struggles and resilience of the people of Gaza. The story's themes of displacement, oppression, and the yearning for freedom continue to resonate with readers today. Kanafani's powerful prose and evocative imagery create a lasting impact, highlighting the human cost of conflict and the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people. The story remains a significant piece of Palestinian literature, offering a timeless perspective on the ongoing struggle for self-determination.
Daybreak in Gaza: Stories of Palestinian Lives and Culture is a powerful anthology of nearly 100 stories from Palestinians in Gaza. The collection captures the experiences of Gazans before and during Israel's ongoing assault, offering a diverse range of voices and perspectives. The book challenges stereotypes and provides a nuanced understanding of Palestinian life and culture under occupation. It highlights the resilience, hope, and humanity of the Gazan people amidst unimaginable hardship. The anthology serves as a testament to the importance of preserving and sharing stories from marginalized communities.
On this episode of On the Nose—a recording of an online event for Jewish Currents members, co-sponsored by the Beinart Notebook—editor-at-large Peter Beinart speaks with Mahmoud Muna, Matthew Teller, and Juliette Touma, three of the editors of the new anthology Daybreak in Gaza: Stories of Palestinian Lives and Culture. This volume includes nearly 100 stories from people in Gaza, recorded both before and amidst Israel’s ongoing assault. In this conversation, the editors discuss the collection and the process of compiling it, and read some of the powerful testimonies it contains.
Thanks to Daniel Kaufman and Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).
Texts Mentioned and Further Reading:
Daybreak in Gaza: Stories of Palestinian Lives and Culture, ed. Mahmoud Muna and Matthew Teller with Juliette Touma and Jayyab Abusafia
“Letter from Gaza” by Ghassan Kanafani, Marxists Internet Archive
“The Only Refuge I Could Offer” by Anonymous, Jewish Currents
“Exile from Gaza” by Zak Hania, Safa Al-Majdalawi, Amal Al-Majdalawi, and Mohammed Ghalayni (as told to Jonathan Shamir), Jewish Currents
“The Scenes in Rafah Are Straight From a Nightmare” by Zak Hania, Ahmed Totah, and Sameera Wafi (as told to Jonathan Shamir), Jewish Currents
“Even as We Are Trying to Help, We Are Being Attacked” by Jameel, Juliette Touma, and Mohammed Al Khatib (as told to Jonathan Shamir and Aparna Gopalan), Jewish Currents
“We Have Lost the Ability to Provide True Care” by Hammam Alloh, Yousef Al-Akkad, and Reda Abu Assi (as told to Maya Rosen), Jewish Currents
“Dispatches from Gaza” by Mohammed Zraiy, Khalil Abuy Yahia, and Rania Hussein (as told to Alain Alameddine, Maya Rosen, and Julia), Jewish Currents
On the Nose 