ADS
I began writing this novel with the intention of seeing my two kids, who are both courageous Palestinian girls, growing up in a place that was not their country. I wanted them to be aware of how wonderful their culture is, as well as the fact that they can participate in it and be proud of it regardless of where they are in the globe. Not only does the preface that Reem Kassis writes for her book, We Are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition (Interlink Books, 2024), talk about the resilience of the Palestinian people’s origins, but it also speaks about their relocation. On the other hand, this does not imply that such a book would not have any value if there had been no displacement during its production. Furthermore, in light of the Nakba, the Naksa, and the ongoing Israeli slaughter in Gaza, commemorating and honoring Palestine has a sense of urgency that is unique to the situation. It must take a stance against the erasing exercised by Israel.
Kassis’s book, which was intended for youngsters who are growing up outside of Palestine, is a very approachable and engaging book to read. Colorful pictures created by Noha Eilouti are included with the text, and they serve the same purpose as the text itself: to captivate the reader.
Despite the fact that some of the Palestinian cities, towns, and villages have been colonized by Israel, the first topic that is discussed is land. This is a colorful overview of Palestinian cities, towns, and villages, all of which speak to their distinctive history. Kassis utilizes the Palestinian names for the cities and villages that were colonized, and he briefly examines the consequences of Israel’s colonization and military occupation in a manner that contextualizes the present in a manner that is just sufficient for young readers who are not living in Palestine.
Kassis provides the fundamental knowledge that is required to stimulate additional inquiry and discussion, while simultaneously establishing a connection between the land and Palestinians who have been living in exile for centuries. This is accomplished by interfacing the reality of Zionist colonization with the culture and traditions of the Palestinian people. In his discussion of Yaffa, for instance, Kassis mentions that there were only 4,000 Palestinians left in the city after the Nakba of 1948, despite the fact that there were 80,000 Palestinians living there previous to the Nakba. This is evidence of the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
Following that, the book moves on to talk about cultural icons. “We hold on to these cultural symbols very strongly because they help us feel as though we have pieces of our home everywhere in the world,” said the Palestinians. “This is because many Palestinians now live outside of Palestine.” Kassis covers a variety of topics, including the Palestinian national song and flag, the Handala, the Tatreez needlework, and the meaning of the Tatreez embroidery in connection to the cities and villages of original origin.
An additional segment of the book is dedicated to the intellectual and artistic diversity that exists within the Palestinian community. This section includes discussions of academics, artists, singers, and authors. It is said in the book that Samiha Khalil was the first woman to run for president in the Arab world. She was a candidate for president in 1996, and she competed against Yasser Arafat, who was the chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. In addition, the Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was murdered by Israeli military forces in Jenin, is mentioned in the book. In light of the fact that Abu Akleh had a dream of becoming an architect so that she could “build things that would last forever,” Kassis decided to use the following phrase to commemorate her: “Shireen did build something that would last forever.” Due to the fact that Palestinian generations will always be able to read and listen to her remarks, she chronicled decades’ worth of personal experiences and histories that will never be forgotten.
Within the context of her study of agriculture, Kassis makes reference to the culture of foraging and the significant role that it plays in Palestinian communities. The book highlights the resourcefulness of Palestinians and the fact that nothing is wasted, so indicating that there is a healthy interaction between society and the environment. This book explores the settlement of Battir, which is located outside of Jerusalem and is known for its terraced fields that are irrigated by a system that is two thousand years old. The book begins with a discussion of agriculture and then continues on to the most well-known dishes from the Palestinian cuisine. Once again, the author successfully combines food, society, and culture in a manner that provides a thorough picture of Palestinian customs.
Performing arts, history, and religion are the topics that are discussed in the latter two parts. Kassis makes a passing reference to Palestinian movies, mentioning that the “Palestinian Stories” collection was made available on Netflix in the year 2021. A number of well-known Palestinian singers and musicians are included in the book. In addition to Mohammed Asaf, Kassis cites Dalal Abu Amneh, a singer from Nazareth who is also a neurologist. The Dabke is also discussed in the book. Another thing that Abu Amneh is acknowledged for doing is bringing Palestinian traditional tunes back to life for modern audiences.
The last chapter of the book is where the author discusses the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people from their land in 1948 and 1967. This debate takes place in the final portion. According to what Kassis says, “Today, Palestinians continue to advocate for an independent and free state in order to allow those who were expelled to return.” Following an abbreviated excursion into the history and culture of Palestine and Palestinians, the return plays a crucial part in pulling the book together as a whole. The enormous and rich culture of Palestine, as well as the fact that Palestinians are denied their own country, as well as the need of going back to their origins in order to thrive and establish the permanence of the indigenous people and their legacy.
