Heroes and Martyrs of Palestine: The Politics of National Commemoration

by Laleh Khalili

• ISBN13: 9780521106382
• ISBN10: 0521106389
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-04-02
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

The history of the Palestinians since the middle of the twentieth century has been one of turmoil, a people living under occupation or exiled from their homeland. Theirs has been at times a tragic story, but also one of resistance, heroism and nationalist aspiration. Laleh Khalili's book is based on her experiences in the Lebanese refugee camps, where commemorations of key moments in the history of the struggle have helped forge a sense of nationhood. She also observes how, as discourses of liberation have evolved in recent years within the international community, there has been a shift in the representation of Palestinian nationalism from the heroic to the tragic mode. This trend is exemplified through the elevation of martyrs to iconic figures in the Palestinian collective memory. This book will appeal to students and scholars of the Middle East, and to those interested in the politics of nationalism, commemoration and conflict.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Transnational movements and discourses

Palestinian lives and local institutions in the camps of Lebanon

Forms of commemoration

Contents of commemoration: narratives of heroism, suffering, and Sumud

Guerrillas and martyrs: evolution of national 'heroes'

Between battles and massacres: commemorating violent events

Commemoration in the occupied Palestinian territories

Conclusions

Bibliography

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