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LITERATURE | PALESTINE
Ghassan Kanafani
For 80 years, Palestinians continued to keep Palestine alive. The ashes of the Nakba birthed giants like Icon of Palestinian identity #16 — GHASSAN KANAFANI
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Many of Ghassan Kanafani’s short stories were set during the Palestinian Nakba of 1948. The Jewish armies overcome the town’s defenses. The people fear for their lives, and trail out on foot seeking safety. But “the Child” picks up a gun, and shoots the sniper blocking their way. In another, the child picks up a knife instead. It is the child who takes action after the adults have failed. Such are the adventures a twelve-year-old survivor may daydream. Yearning to reverse the calamity, and without being formulaic, he replays the traumatic scenes over and over to dream a different outcome.
No wonder Kanafani’s stories resounded among a generation of Palestinians who were children in 1948, who vaguely remembered a life before the refugee camp. His writings offered therapy to the masses traumatized by the calamity, and empowerment.
“The formation of the PLO was a revolt against that powerlessness. Ghassan Kanafani, who was assassinated by Israel in the early…
