Even though Palestine is not considered an official country by every nation in the world, I would still like to add it to my list of places to 'travel' to (=read about). This was a country that I especially wanted to learn about before starting my book, which really helped placing it in context. The book I read has been on my shelve for a very long time, and I'm very glad I finally got around to it. But first, a short history (is there such a thing?)
Geological facts
Name: State of Palestine
Status: Partially recognized state, UN observer state. Recognized by 138 UN member states.
(Proclaimed) capital: Jerusalem
Government: Unitary semi-presidential republic
Language: Arabic
Area: 6,020 km2 (2,320 sq mi) (163rd)
Population: 5,159,076 (121st)
Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP), Israeli new shekel (ILS), Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Palestine, officially recognized as the State of Palestine by the United Nations and other entities, is a de jure sovereign state in Western Asia officially governed by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and claiming the West Bank and Gaza Strip with Jerusalem as the designated capital; in practice, however, only partial administrative control is held over the 167 "islands" in the West Bank, and Gaza is ruled by a rival government (Hamas). The entirety of territory claimed by the State of Palestine has been occupied since 1948, first by Egypt (Gaza Strip) and Jordan (West Bank) and then by Israel after the Six-Day War in 1967.
After World War II, in 1947, the UN adopted a Partition Plan for Mandatory Palestine recommending the creation of independent Arab and Jewish states and an internationalized Jerusalem. This partition plan was accepted by the Jews but rejected by the Arabs. The day after the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel, to be known as the State of Israel on 14 May 1948, neighboring Arab armies invaded the former British mandate and fought the Israeli forces. Later, the All-Palestine Government was established by the Arab League on 22 September 1948 to govern the Egyptian-controlled enclave in Gaza. It was soon recognized by all Arab League members except Transjordan. Though jurisdiction of the Government was declared to cover the whole of the former Mandatory Palestine, its effective jurisdiction was limited to the Gaza Strip. Israel later captured the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria in June 1967 during the Six-Day War.
On 15 November 1988 in Algiers, Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the PLO, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Palestine. A year after the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, the Palestinian National Authority was formed to govern (in varying degrees) areas A and B in the West Bank, comprising 165 "islands", and the Gaza Strip. After Hamas became the PNA parliament's leading party in the most recent elections (2006), a conflict broke out between it and the Fatah party, leading to Gaza being taken over by Hamas in 2007 (two years after the Israeli disengagement).
Source: Wikipedia
Did you know...
The olive tree is one of the most iconic symbols of Palestine, making up to 70% of all fruit-bearing trees in the country. The olive tree represents a powerful tie to the past. Palestine is home to the oldest olive trees in the world, which date back nearly 4,000 years. The tending of olive trees is passed down through generations, with many families having harvested from the same orchards for hundreds of years.
Temperatures in Palestine vary widely. The climate in the West Bank is mostly Mediterranean, slightly cooler at elevated areas compared with the shoreline, west to the area. In the east, the West Bank includes much of the Judean Desert including the western shoreline of the Dead Sea, characterised by dry and hot climate. Gaza has a hot semi-arid climate with mild winters and dry hot summers.The Dead Sea, which is Earth’s lowest natural point of elevation, is found in Palestine.
Christmas is celebrated three times each year. The first of which is December 25th, per western tradition, followed by January 6th per Greek Orthodox tradition, and finally on January 18th, as per Armenian tradition.
Palestine is known for some of the most beautiful wildflowers in the world, popping into existence mostly in April and May. These include irises, jonquils, wild poppies, and other vibrant species of flowers which paint the colorful hillsides during a short spring season.
The Church of Nativity, which is considered the birthplace of Jesus Christ, is regarded as a sacred place by both Christians and Muslims alike. It is also one of the world’s oldest churches.
Sources: Islamicreliefcanada and Laiththelion
The book I read
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa
Synopsis: forcibly removed from the ancient village of Ein Hod by the newly formed state of Israel in 1948, the Abulhejas are moved into the Jenin refugee camp. There, exiled from his beloved olive groves, the family patriarch languishes of a broken heart, his eldest son fathers a family and falls victim to an Israeli bullet, and his grandchildren struggle against tragedy toward freedom, peace, and home.
This book, like many others, made me realize how little I know about the world. It made me cry because I just don't understand how people can be so cruel. It gives words to unmeasurable love. The story kept me up at night, thinking about it, trying to figure out a solution and failing miserably at it, of course. It was beautiful. And painful. It was an important read and I highly recommend it.
About the author
Susan Abulhawa is a Palestinian American writer and human rights activist. She is the author of several books, and the founder of a non-governmental organization, Playgrounds for Palestine. She lives in Pennsylvania. Her first novel, Mornings in Jenin, was translated into 32 languages and sold over a million copies. Her second novel, The Blue Between Sky And Water, was sold in 19 languages before its release, and was published in English in 2015. Against the Loveless World, her third novel, was released in August 2020, also to critical acclaim.
Other book recommendations for Palestine
On this website, we add new books from countries all over the world every week. Check out which (other) books are featured for Palestine here.
Souvenir
For Palestine, as well as for some other countries, I created a beautiful bookmark, based on a vintage travel poster. You can get yours here. There is also a water bottle with the same poster, which you can buy on Amazon here.
Comentarios