Toine van Teeffelen, a Dutch anthropologist and peace activist, shares his journey growing up in Bethlehem, weaving together personal anecdotes and broader sociopolitical insights. He discusses how his family navigates everyday life under occupation, emphasizing the resilience embodied in the Palestinian concept of sumud. The conversation sheds light on the unique intersection of Palestinian culture and Christianity, the challenges faced by children in conflict zones, and the importance of creative nonviolent resistance amid adversity.
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Sumud: Active Steadfastness Concept
Sumud means active steadfastness, not passive submission or blind hate; it's a daily life commitment.
It symbolizes a balanced, nonviolent third way to resist occupation by staying rooted and engaged.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Children Use Play to Cope
During 2002 curfews, Toine's daughter played journalistic roles to process trauma creatively.
Children used indoor games to express fears and maintain energy amid violent home invasions.
insights INSIGHT
Curfews Reshape Family Life Rhythm
Curfews shrink families' spatial realities, blending rhythms of occupation and culture.
Special occasions like baptisms provide small victories that restore confidence amidst restrictions.
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The novel 'Exodus' by Leon Uris is a historical fiction account that explores the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. It follows the stories of Jewish refugees, many of whom are Holocaust survivors, as they attempt to reach Palestine despite British opposition. The book delves into the back stories of its characters, the history of Jewish settlement in Palestine, and the broader political context of the time, including the struggle for independence and the conflicts between Jewish and Arab populations.
The Birthplace of Jesus Is in Palestine: A Memoir (Wipf and Stock, 2024) is a narrative of a Christian family in Bethlehem in the West Bank. Based on diary entries and interviews from 2000 to 2023, the Dutch author--an anthropologist and peace activist--chronicles the spontaneous reactions of his Palestinian children and wife navigating the challenges posed by curfews and checkpoints. Problems of Palestinian school life are shown from the perspective of teachers and students. Against the background of Israeli occupation and settlement building, the intricacies of Palestinian culture in its daily rhythms and domestic spaces come to life. Throughout the pages, the key Palestinian concept of sumud, or steadfastness, is explored. The memoir details acts of creative nonviolent resistance, individual protests, affirmations of cultural identity, and inspiring examples of Muslim-Christian community. The book also reveals unexpected connections between Palestinian culture in the Bethlehem area and broader Christian values and traditions. An afterword reflects upon implications of Israel's war in Gaza.
Roberto Mazza is currently a visiting scholar at the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs at Northwestern University. He is the host of the Jerusalem Unplugged Podcast and to discuss and propose a book for interview can be reached at robbymazza@gmail.com. Blusky and IG: @robbyref
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