This book is a series of articles, by Palestinians, mainly from, or in Gaza, that illuminates what life is like now, but also what it was like before the genocide. In other words it contextualises it. Each writer covers an aspect that helps one to realise what is being done, in theory this should be for newer supporters of the Palestinians, in reality because eachof the writers are enmeshed in the Palestinian life

Anybody would gain from reading this. Many of the writers are Gazans who have lost numerous relatives, and are struggling with existence in the continuing situation, most of the articles were written in 2024.

From settler colonialism, to the right to resist. This is a general description of the political situation facing Palestinians.

A powerful article describes the social feeds of the Israeli Defence Force(IDF). Sections of this reminded me of the film ‘Zone of Interest’ with the soldiers taking and wearing the clothes of the people the IDF have either killed or forced out of their houses.

The descriptions of being forced out, sometimes deciding to stay, and the repercussions of this, reveal that life is totally precarious for the Palestinians.

Learning about womens’ rights

Then there is the teacher who describes how she teaches young women feminism, they read, and are excited by, Maya Angelou and other such writers. This is happening in Gaza where we are told there is contempt for any women’s rights. They are now homeless and struggling to survive.

The article on ecocide, is particularly useful, and we should use everywhere we are organising solidarity. Before the Israeli attacks, Palestinians produced much of their own food, and even exported some. The IDF immediately went about destroying the fields and the greenhouses, to make the people reliant on aid, which they proceeded to control.

They also destroyed water sources, and other such infrastructure. In the process of this bombing and destruction of nature, they destroyed Gaza’s wetlands, which was one of the most important places for

migrating birds to Europe. It is estimated that 250 of such species will become extinct because of it.

Donkeys

Another article is about a man who ran an animal sanctuary in Northern Gaza, who cared for hundreds of dogs, donkeys and other animals, he was driven out and the sanctuary bombed.

He then was forced south. He set up, by the roadside, treating donkeys for free. These pack animals were the main means of transport during the forced migrations, of people, and as the IDF had stopped fuel it meant a really hard life for Donkeys. Any donkeys that the occupying power thought were too weak to continue were taken from the owner and looked after by the authorities.

The Israelis now say that they are saving donkeys from the cruel Palestinians who don’t feed them properly and so on. They say they have sent 300 to Bridget Bardot’s Foundation. No doubt they have taken away a section of the people’s transportation.

Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions

The killing of journalists the torture of prisoners is covered as are students organising in the US.

There is a long article by Omar Barghouti on the foundation of Boycott, Disinvest and Sanctions(BDS), and its history from anti-apartheid struggles, to its importance today,.

The whole of the book gives voice to the Gazans’ attempt to live, the reality of the struggle to survive. There is the background of the family of ‘The Voice of Hind’ and what happened from their angle not just of the paramedics’ story. This is a useful book to read alongside this incredible film.

This book should be used by the pro-Palestinian movement everywhere.