This syllabus explores the long history and violent present of Israel’s war on Palestine. We pay attention to the voices of writers, scholars, and artists, both African and Palestinian, who offer unique insights into the historical context, current realities, political stakes, and specifically African responses to this ongoing struggle. This syllabus highlights the shared experiences of oppression, colonialism, and struggle for liberation between South Africa and Palestine, examining historical and contemporary connections between these two regions. Put into historical and geographical context, this syllabus reveals the global workings of colonialism and its relation to histories of migration. We attempt to provide a picture of how African writers and thinkers are connecting with and conceptualizing the Palestinian experience and also the significance of Palestine in the global struggle against colonialism.
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Experiences of Apartheid
Vignettes of a People in an Apartheid State by Zukiswa Wanner
South African author Zukiswa Wanner visited Palestine in May 2023 to participate in the Palestine Festival of Literature. Despite her country’s history of apartheid, she was deeply shocked by the harsh realities of life under Israeli occupation. The festival’s unique format, which included visits to various Palestinian cities and towns, allowed Wanner to witness firsthand the daily struggles faced by Palestinians. In her essay “Vignettes of a People in an Apartheid State,” Wanner shares her observations about the systemic injustices and human rights violations experienced by Palestinians. She draws parallels between the apartheid system in South Africa and the Israeli occupation, highlighting the similarities in the use of surveillance, checkpoints, and military force to call for greater international solidarity.
Gillian Hart’s personal experiences growing up in South Africa during apartheid and the formation of Israel in 1948 are deeply intertwined with the complex political and historical events of the time. Her parents, fervent Zionists, celebrated the Balfour Declaration while simultaneously supporting apartheid in South Africa. As she grew older, Hart began to question these ideologies, developing a critical awareness of the colonialist aspects of both systems. She brings her experiences to bear on the current escalation of the conflict.
Ta-Nehisi Coates, prominent African-American author and public intellectual, shares his evolving views on the Gaza crisis. The self-described “liberal Zionist” drastically changed his stance following a visit to Israel and Palestine where he witnessed enforced segregation and heard testimonies from Israeli soldiers about violence against Palestinians. Coates apologizes for his earlier position and further criticizes the Democratic Party and Vice President Kamala Harris for their unequivocal support of Israel’s genocide.
The Johannesburg Review of Books published an excerpt from South African-Palestinian author Haidar Eid’s book, Decolonising the Palestinian Mind. The short excerpt opens with a powerful statement by the author: the book is being published while his home in Gaza is being annihilated and he is being forced to relocate with his family. Eid powerfully states the needs of the Palestinian people and describes the failures of other nations to protect Palestinian people against Israeli apartheid.
History and Context
The Vital Role of Afro-Palestinians in the African Diaspora | Halton Black Voices
Did you know there is a longstanding Afro-Palestinian community in Jerusalem? This short history of the community traces its origins in the Islamic Waqf to present-day experiences of racism under the Israeli government. This community holds an extraordinary position at the intersection of their African ancestry and Palestinian nationality, and residence on contested ground, under the authority of Israeli forces occupying Jerusalem and other areas of Palestine.
Excerpt from Bad Laws by Teju Cole
First published in the essay collection Letters to Palestine: Writers Respond to War and Occupation (2015), this excerpt from Nigerian-American writer Teju Cole’s contribution criticizes Israel’s slow and methodical oppression of Palestinians. He emphasizes the importance of historical context, drawing parallels to past instances of dismantled oppression. Cole believes that the world must call out Israel’s actions for what they are – a deliberate attempt to dispossess Palestinians and control their land. He argues that by naming this system for what it is, the path towards dismantling it becomes clearer.
African Union leaders have strongly condemned Israel’s recent attack on Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire. In this interview, with Democracy Now!, Kenyan writer and political analyst Nanjala Nyabola explains that this solidarity has historical roots, stemming from the shared experiences of African nations under colonial rule and the Palestinian struggle for self-determination. She highlights the parallels between the two, emphasizing the systemic nature of the violence inflicted upon both peoples.
Responding with Art
Slippery Tongue (Letter to a Friend in Gaza) by Phelelani Makhanya | Islamophobia by Oyewumi Fawaz Akorede | Brittle Paper
The first moving creative nonfiction piece written in the form of a letter taps into the author Phelelani Makhanya’s Zulu identity to empathize with the people of Palestine. The letter draws a parallel between the Zulu word “Gazi,” meaning “relative” or “blood,” and the name “Gaza,” suggesting a shared pain and suffering between the two, despite geographical distance. The second piece is a powerful poem by Nigerian teen writer Oyewumi Fawaz Akorede reflecting on the news coverage of the recent events in Palestines. Akorede calls for more honest terminology around Palestine and questions the world’s silence in the face of the horrific headlines we see everyday.
Poetry Reading for Late Palestinian Poet Refaat Alareer
Radical Books Collective organized a poetry reading to honor the memory of beloved poet and poet Refaat Alareer, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on December 6, 2023. The event featured his poem “If I Must Die,” which Alareer had pinned to his Twitter profile shortly before his murder, recited in 11 languages, including five African languages, showcasing the global reach of his poetry. You can watch this powerful reading in the video embedded in the article.
Out of Place by Edward W. Said
Out of Place is a poignant reflection on the life of a Palestinian-American intellectual. Said explores his personal and intellectual journey, discussing his experiences growing up in Jerusalem and Cairo, his education in the United States, and his subsequent career as a renowned literary critic and public intellectual. The memoir delves into themes of identity, exile, and the Palestinian cause. Said reflects on his experiences as a Palestinian living in the diaspora and his efforts to raise awareness about the Palestinian struggle for self-determination. The book also provides insights into Said’s intellectual pursuits, including his work on Orientalism.
Learn more
African Writers Speak Out Against Violence in Palestine | Brittle Paper
African writers took to social media to denounce the ongoing violence in Palestine. The situation in Gaza has been further exacerbated by Israel’s recent decision to cut off essential supplies, including electricity, water, food, and medicine. The intensity of the violence and the lack of humanitarian aid have alarmed the international community. This article collects responses from many African writers, including Warsan Shire, Molara Wood, Mona Eltahawy, and Akwaeke Emezi, who have openly condemned Israel’s genocidal violence.
Neoliberal Apartheid: Palestine/Israel and South Africa after 1994 by Andy Clarno
Neoliberal Apartheid, draws parallels between South Africa and Palestine, examining the impact of neoliberal policies on both societies. While South Africa achieved a measure of democratization, Palestine remains under Israeli occupation. The first comparative study of the changes in these two areas since the early 1990s, the book addresses the limitations of liberation in South Africa, highlights the impact of neoliberal restructuring in Palestine, and argues that a new form of neoliberal apartheid has emerged in both contexts.
Among the Almond Trees: A Palestinian Memoir by Hussein Barghouthi, translated by Ibrahim Muhawi
Palestinian writer Hussein Barghouthi’s tender memoir reflects on his life, his family, and his love for his homeland. Diagnosed with lymphoma in his late forties, Barghouthi’s response to the terminal illness is a bittersweet blend of acceptance and defiance. He finds solace in the natural world, particularly the almond trees surrounding his childhood home in Palestine. As he confronts his own mortality, he also contemplates the cyclical nature of life and death, finding hope in the renewal of nature.
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