In Your Eyes a Sandstorm

Who are the Palestinians? In this compelling book of interviews, Arthur Neslen reaches beyond journalistic clichés to let a wide variety of Palestinians answer the question for themselves. Beginning in the present with Bisan and Abud, two traumatized children from Jenin’s refugee camp, the book’s narrative arcs backwards through the generations to come full circle with two elderly refugees from villages that the children were named after. Along the way, Neslen recounts a history of land, resistance, exile, and trauma that begins to explain Abud’s wish to become a martyr and Bisan’s dream of a Palestine empty of Jews. Senior Fatah and Hamas figures relate key events of the Palestinian experience—the Second Intifada, Oslo Process, First Intifada, Thawra, 1967 War, the Naqba, and the Great Arab Revolt of 1936—in their own words. The extraordinary voices of women, children, farmers, fighters, drug dealers, policeman, doctors, and others, spanning the political divide from Salafi Jihadists to Israeli soldiers, bring the Palestinian story to life even as their words sow seeds of hope in the scorched Palestinian earth.

Arthur Neslen has written about the Middle East for the Guardian, Observer, Haaretz, the Jane’s information group and, as a correspondent, for the websites of the Economist and al-Jazeera. He is also the author of Occupied Minds: A Journey through the Israeli Psyche.

Acknowledgments
Introduction

The Disengaged Generation
Bisan and Abud Abdul Khadr Fihad

Students, Jenin Camp, West Bank
Sharif al-Basyuni

Unemployed, Beit Hanun, Gaza
Amira al-Hayb

Soldier, Wadi al-Hammam, Israel
Niral Karantaji

Model, Haifa, Israel
Doha Jabr

Dancer, Ramallah, West Bank
Abdul Rahman Katanani

Artist, Shatila Camp, Beirut, Lebanon
“Nabil”

Student, Ramallah, West Bank

The Second Intifada Generation
Firaz Turkmen and Alla Subharin

Islamic Jihad, Jenin, West Bank
Ayman Nahas and Hanna Shamas

Comedians, Haifa, Israel
Asmaa al-Goule

Journalist, Gaza Citys
Neriman al-Jabari

Widow, Jenin Camp, West Bank
Tamer Nafar

Rapper, Lyd, Israel
Abu Abed

Tunnel Engineer, Rafah, Gaza
“Omar”

Drug Dealer, East Jerusalem, West Bank

The Oslo Generation
Diana Buttu

Lawyer, Ramallah, West Bank
Haifa Dwaikat

Student, Nablus, West Bank
Hala Salem

NGO Director, Amman, Jordan
Sayed Kashua

Journalist, Author, Screenwriter, West Jerusalem, Israel
Tawfiq Jabharin

Lawyer, Umm al-Fahem, Israel
Fuad al-Hofesh

Psychologist, Mardah, West Bank
Samer Azmi al-Zugayyar

Policeman, Ramallah, West Bank

The First Intifada Generation
“Abu Ahmed”

Hamas Activist and Teacher, West Bank
Rania Dabak, Naima Abdul Razek, and Shaykha Mahmud

Villagers, al-Aqaba, West Bank
Taghred Joma

NGO Manager, Gaza City
Huda Naim

Hamas MP, al-Bureij Camp, Gaza
Amal Masri

Businesswoman, Ramallah, West Bank
Fawsi Barhoum

Hamas Spokesman, Gaza City
“Haidar”

Taxi Driver, Gaza

The Thawra Generation
Dr. Nafez Rakfat Abu Shabhan

Plastic Surgeon, Gaza City
Fawaz Dawoud

Chief of Police, Nablus, West Bank
Mohammed Dahlan

Fatah Leader, Ramallah, West Bank
Nabila Espanyoli

NGO Director, Nazareth, Israel
Muna Wakid

DFLP Worker, Nahr el-Bared, Lebanon
Nawal, Eshan, and Iman Fareiji

Shatila Camp Residents, Beirut, Lebanon
Marwan Shehadeh

Web Manager, Amman, Jordan
Sami Mahmoud Khader

Zoo Curator, Qalqilya, West Bank

The 1967 (Naksa) Generation
Leila Khaled

PFLP Fighter, Amman, Jordan
Abu Adel

Sulha Committee Judge, East Jerusalem, West Bank
Mustafa al-Kurd

Musician, East Jerusalem, West Bank
Hanan Ashrawi

Civil Society Leader, Ramallah, West Bank
Raleb Majadele

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Jerusalem
Ahmad Yousef

Deputy Foreign Minister, Rafah Camp, Gaza

The Nakba Generation
Gabi Baramki

Former University President, Ramallah, West Bank
Nuri al-Ukbi

Bedouin Activist, al-Araquib, Israel
Jamal Freij

Former Well Maintenance Worker, Kfar Kassem, Israel
Aisha Odeh

Women’s Center Founder, Deir Jarir, West Bank
Eyad al-Sarraj

Psychiatrist, Gaza City
Hassan al-Kashif

Journalist, Gaza City
Rajab al-Hise

Fisherman, Beach Camp, Gaza

The 1936 Generation
Jalil Sharqawi Fawadli

Retired Teacher, Abud, West Bank
Abdullah Rashid

Retired Farmer, al-Hussein Camp, Irbid, Jordan

Postscript: In Your Eyes a Sandstorm
Glossary
Selected Bibliography and Further Reading
Photo Captions