#FreePalestine Library Guide
INTRODUCTION & SCOPE
Welcome to the #FreePalestine Library Guide!
After the events of October 7th, it became imperative to me to uplift Palestinian voices and do my part to end the illegal occupation of Palestine. Through the Refund Raleigh organization, I attended the November 4th National March on Washington for Palestine and that event changed my life forever. The palpable energy of change, courage, and resilience in the air reminds me that defeating apartheid is not a new phenomenon, but rather our collective liberation is inevitable.
This resource features 48 entries that detail the history, customs, culture of Palestine that center the Palestinian experience, with over 90% of all items written by and about Palestinians. About half of these resources are Print Books published by independent entities, while the rest include films, documentaries, recorded Zoom discussions, and podcasts! The authors range from notable Palestinian scholars like Rashid Khalid and Nur Masalha to first-time Palestinian child poets. These reputable sources were curated with the scope to inform and educate novice-level folks of all ages and backgrounds of Palestinian History and the Israel Settler Colonial Project. I’ve added a #FreePalestine Lesson Plan template below to those who wish to use this Library Guide in a classroom setting, feel free to modify this template to fit your class needs! FREE FREE PALESTINE! FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA PALESTINE WILL BE FREE!
De’Ivyion Drew ~ INLS 501.002 ~ Professor Sarah Morris
Print Books
The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance from 1917-2017 by Rashid Khalid
This text provides a brief overview of 100 years of Occupied Palestine, beginning with the initial British conquest through the Ottoman Empire and the 1917 Balfour Declaration policy that followed, designating Palestine as a colony for Jewish immigrants, through to the current day illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian homeland. Densely written with academic language, I’d recommend this option for adults that seek an introduction to Palestinian history! The audiobook version is also popular!
The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappe
Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History by Nur Masalha
The Palestine Nakba by Nur Masalha
Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
Rifqa by Mohammed El-Kurd
You Can Be The Last Leaf: Selected Poems by Maya Abu Al-Hayyat
The Last Earth: A Palestinian Story by Ramzy Baroud
A Map of Absence: An Anthology of Palestinian Writings on the Nakba edited by Atef Alshaer
This text is a collection of prose, short stories, and poetry from Palestinians that span over 70 years of history, but a majority of the entries focus on the 1948 Nakba event, that forced the migration of millions of Palestinians from their homes to accommodate the establishment of the political state of Israel. Beautifully written with everyday language from both notable writers and first-time authors alike, I’d recommend this option for adults and mature young adults who seek a first hand account of 1948 Nakba massacre!
The Book of Ramallah: A City in Short Fiction edited by Maya Abu Al-Hayyat
The Sea Clock and Other Stories by Nayrouz Qarmout
Palestine +100: Stories from a Century after the Nakba edited by Basma Ghalayini
Cinemas / Films
Chronicle of Disappearance (1996)
This film is a work of autobiographical fiction that documents the return of the filmmaker to his birthplace in Nazareth. There are two parts to this film; first centers the filmmaker’s personal narratives and second centers political narratives. I’d recommend this film to adults that seek to understand a second generation Palestinian experience and have a Netflix subscription!
The Reports on Sara and Saleem (2018)
Omar (2013) Three Promises (2003)
200 Meters (2020) The Stranger (2021)
Mayor (2020) Miral (2010)
Arna’s Children (2004)
This film focuses on the filmmaker’s mother, Arna, who was a significant activist against the Israeli occupation and founded an alternative education system and curriculum for Palestinian Youth. Her efforts are incredibly valuable, as Israeli educators are required to teach that Palestine was an empty land that Jewish immigrants decided to make their home, instead of the truth of the 1917 Balfour Declaration and the 1948 Nakba that shifted significant amounts of land into Israeli possession. I’d recommend this film to adults, especially parents, that are interested in education systems and Palestinian history!
Pomegranates and Myrrh (2009)
Fertile Memory (1980) 1948: Creation and Catastrophe (2018)
Lemon Tree (2008) 5 Broken Cameras (2011)
Wedding in Galilee (1987)
This film centers a fiction narrative of a Palestinian wedding that requires Israeli permission to be take place after the curfew time. The Israeli military governor in the movie also requires the invitation of his officers and himself to the wedding as well. Tensions flare as more Palestinians than agreed break curfew. I’d recommend this film to adults who seek to learn more about Palestinian traditions!
Jenin, Jenin (2002)
Gaza Fights For Freedom (2019)
This film focuses on the Great March of Return protests in Gaza, Palestine that took place from March 2018 to December 2019. Archival footage of these protests, as well as, rare footage of Gaza from the recent past and present are all crafted together to detail an inspiring story about the resilience of the Palestinian Liberation movement. I’d recommend this film to adults that seek to understand non-violent liberation efforts of Palestinian citizens!
Print Books
Gaza Writes Back: Short Stories from Young Writers in Gaza, Palestine edited by Refaat Alareer
Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire edited by Jehad Abusalim
Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under Occupation edited by Cate Malek and Mateo Hoke
This text is an oral history of 16 Palestinians that were recorded between 2011 to 2014, and everyone interviewed represents a wide diaspora of Palestinian Identity. They speak on the experience of being “othered” in their homeland, how they find hope and joy under the brutal Israeli occupation, and so much more. Colloquially written and very relatable in nature, I’d recommend this option for adults and young adults that seek to learn more about current day Palestinian experiences under occupation!
Palestine, and Other Poems by Rev. Reginald Heber
Justice for Some by Noura Erakat
Mother of Strangers by Suad Amiry
The Question of Palestine by Edward Said
Unfree in Palestine by Nadia Abu-Zahra and Adah Kay
Palestinian Identity by Rashid Khalidi
The Origins of Palestinian Nationalism by Muhammad Muslih
Thunderbird: Book One by Sonia Nimr (Young Adult)
This text is a young adult fantasy novel centering a character named Noor, who is an orphaned Palestinian girl who has to go back in time to save the world. The first installment of a trilogy, this book balances the accurate description of Palestinian history and life under Israeli occupation from a young child’s perspective and a superpowered Noor navigating imaginative world with an all-powerful Phoenix. Wonderfully written and very approachable in nature, I’d recommend this option for middle-school age, young adult and adult readers alike that enjoy fiery otherworldly historical fiction!
The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan (JUVENILE)
We Are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition by Reem Kassis (JUVENILE)
Podcasts / YouTube Resources
Free Free Palestine!: Biden, Israel, and the Fight for Palestinian Liberation (Haymarket Books Event Zoom Recording)
This 2021 recording is a live streamed event collaboration between Haymarket Books and Spectre Journal that features Palestinian-Israeli conflict scholars that discuss the relationship between the United States and Israel, and the current struggle for Palestinian Liberation. These scholars also cover the tasks of the International Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement to de-incentivize the settler colonial regime of Israel. I’d recommend this YouTube resource for young adults and adults that seek to understand the United States’ involvement in Palestinian occupation.
Edward Said and Palestine (YouTube Documentary)
This 1988 documentary is centered on Palestinian-American intellectual Edward Said, who served as a Professor at Columbia University and helped to draft the Palestinian Declaration of Independence texts. He speaks about being a “child of a people kicked out of their own land” and includes extensive Palestinian primary source documents to talk about Palestinian culture and history. I’d recommend this YouTube resource for young adults and adults that seek to understand the post-1948 Nakba impact on Palestinian nationals!
@btselem on YouTube
@preoccupationa-not-so-brie4149 on YouTube (Pre Occupation Podcast)
Rethinking Palestine Podcast by Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network
This podcast is hosted by Yara Hawari through a platform called Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network, an independent transnational Palestinian think tank that seeks to craft visions for self-determined Palestinian futures. The first episode begins in 2020 by discussing the colonial mapping system that starts with the British imperialist period and goes into the Israeli settler project, and each episode thereafter involves interviewing Palestinian scholars and experts on the contemporary Palestinian resistance movement. I’d recommend this podcast for adults and mature young adults that seek a deeper understanding of post-2020 Palestinian liberation efforts!
This podcast is hosted by the IMEU (Institute for Middle East Understanding) and highlights the people, issues, and events around Palestine. The first episode begins in 2020 by discussing the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affects Palestinians, and each episode thereafter involves interviewing Palestinians on their lived experiences, as well as scholars on contemporary Palestinian issues. I’d recommend this podcast for adults and young adults that seek an audio opportunity to connect with Palestinian narratives!
This podcast is a collaborative effort between Palestinian-American International Lawyer Lara E. and Jewish-American comedian Mikey B. The first episode begins in 2021 by discussing a combination of college campus activist efforts, Lara’s family, and Palestinian refugee experiences, and they have accomplished completing over 100 podcast episodes! I’d recommend this podcast for adults that seek insight on Palestinian-American perspectives, Jewish Voices for Peace in Palestine, and Students for Justice in Palestine efforts!
#FreePalestine Course Lesson Plan
