Keen On America Gaza: The Dream and the Nightmare
Jan 10, 2026
In this thought-provoking discussion, Maia Carter Hallward, a peace studies scholar and co-author of 'Gaza: The Dream and the Nightmare,' explores Gaza's complex history and current challenges. She highlights the tragic realities facing the region, where peace is absent and violence prevails. Maia delves into the historical impacts of colonialism, the role of Hamas, and the fragmentation between Gaza and the West Bank. She advocates for U.S. accountability and Palestinian inclusion in seeking a hopeful resolution.
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Gaza's Long Historical Crossroads
- Gaza's geographic identity predates the modern 'Strip' and served as a crossroads of empires linking Africa, Asia and Europe.
- The current Gaza Strip configuration emerged mainly after 1948 and was reshaped by shifting external administrations.
Nakba Reshaped Gaza's Demographics
- The 1948 Nakba swelled Gaza's population as refugees settled there expecting a temporary stay that became permanent.
- That influx transformed Gaza's demographics and created long-lasting refugee camps within a small territory.
Working Near Lost Family Lands
- Some Palestinians worked in nearby Israeli agriculture, sometimes on lands their families had lost, earning very low wages.
- Interviewees described the emotional pain of working near ancestral lands without access to them.
