Anne Irfan

Historian Anne Irfan, based at University College London, dives into her new book, exploring Gaza's tumultuous history from the 1948 Nakba to present crises. She highlights six pivotal events that shaped Gaza’s socio-political landscape, challenging narratives of ancient hatred and emphasizing the role of political decisions. Irfan discusses the continuous nature of displacement for Palestinians and critiques the historical illiteracy in Western policy proposals. Her insights connect historical context and personal testimonies, providing a nuanced view of Gaza's struggles.

Anne Irfan, a historian at University College London and author of *A Short History of the Gaza Strip*, dives deep into Gaza's tumultuous past. She explores the Nakba's pivotal role in shaping the region's demographics and political landscape. Irfan challenges the narrative of ancient hatreds, arguing the conflict's roots are modern and political. She highlights ongoing displacement and refugeehood, intertwining personal testimonies with statistics. Finally, she discusses the diverse ideologies within Palestinian politics and critiques historical misunderstandings impacting policy today.

Anne Irfan, a historian at University College London, specializes in Palestinian refugee history and examines the intricate past of the Gaza Strip in her upcoming book. She discusses the Nakba as a pivotal turning point in Gaza's demographic shift and debunks myths of ancient conflict, framing the struggle as politically recent. Irfan highlights six key historical junctures and emphasizes the ongoing nature of displacements. She reflects on the role of history in shaping contemporary policies and shares human stories that reveal the complexity of Palestinian identity beyond conflict.