We Belong to the Land - The Best Palestinian Making His Best Case

A story of one Palestinian's fight against brutality, bureaucracy, and bishops.

We Belong to the Land: The Story of a Palestinian Israeli Who Lives for Peace and Reconciliation

By: Elias Chacour and Mary E. Jensen Published: 1990 212 Pages

Briefly, what is this book about?

An autobiographical account of Chacour's struggles as a Palestinian Christian working to build up his community in Galilee (Ibillin) while under continual pushback from Israeli bureaucracy and internal church politics.

What's the author's angle?

At the time the book was written Chacour was a Melkite Greek Catholic Priest in the town of Ibillin. (He was later appointed to be the Archbishop of Haifa.) He has worked tirelessly to resolve the Palestinian problem using nonviolent means that emphasize reconciliation and the common background of both people. He pushes for Palestinians to be treated with dignity, but also for them to create dignified institutions. These institutions, particularly the school he founded, take up most of his energy.

Who should read this book?

As part of my post on Israel and Hamas I asked for books making the pro-Palestinian case. One of my readers recommended this book. It was a good book, but to the extent that it illuminated the problem it did so very obliquely. This is the story of a non-violent Palestinian Christian written over 30 years ago. Certainly it helped my understanding at maybe a 30,000 foot level? But it didn't shed much light on the current crisis.

However, if you want the story of someone who took a really "bad hand" and did something truly extraordinary with it, then this is your book.

Specific thoughts: If every Palestinian and every Israeli resembled Chacour and his congregation then the problem would be solved.