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From the Author
Settler colonialism acts to dispossess indigenous inhabitants of their historical narrative and legacy, in order to legitimize their confinement in settlements, detention centers, and reservations. And it even goes so far as to engage in extermination by genocide. This has been done all over the world, including in the United States.
My story begins in prison. And here you will see how a small bird can help to tell the narrative of the occupation, free of lies. This bird collected the stories of Palestinians to show that they are imprisoned; whether within the walls of the jail or outside of them, whether located on Palestinian land or in exile. The occupation has held Palestinians in various prisons, some of them small and called jails; and others larger and called towns and villages, which are surrounded by military check points, walls, and settlements. The political reporting seen on the news every day can sometimes feel removed and distant, and I am saddened to see our stories are being reduced to numbers and statistics. The life of the Palestinian has become a hemorrhage between military check points, and between one prison and another. This is the reality of settler colonialism. And this is how it impacts us as individuals. This book is an attempt to translate headlines into stories and illustrations, so that you the reader can see and feel the reality of Palestinian life.
There are other important issues not addressed here, and we as Palestinians have many priorities that are not mentioned in this book. I would need at least another ten books to adequately describe Palestinian life, but I hope that I have done these lives justice.
— Mohammad Sabaaneh, Ramallah, Palestine, 2020
Press & Reviews
“Sabaaneh presents a world in which injustice is unending, but so is the strength of his people.”Publishers Weekly
“An excellent account of life under Israeli occupation, along with credible information to support the author’s point of view and claims.”School Library Journal
“Sabaaneh’s trademark black and white blend of expressionist and surrealist artwork with its Kafkaesque and exaggerated style depicting the emotive Palestinian experience under Israeli occupation.”Omar Ahmed, Palestine Book Awards
“The stark black-and-white linocut images are as harsh and as powerful as the narrative, and the unadorned, straightforward language drives the emotions home.”Rita D. Jacobs, World Literature Today
“Although this is clearly a book about real things and real lives at stake, it is distinguished and animated by its magic realist elements and expressive art work.”Broken Frontier
“This is a book that deserves a broad international audience.”Tjeerd Royaards, Cartoon Movement
“The result is visually stunning.”Seth Tobocman, Ad Astra Comix
“As usual Sabaaneh’s art work is incredibly evocative.”Terry Weber, Mondoweiss
“Sabaaneh helps us see that the prison is much larger than a building, far wider than a cell; it stretches through towns and villages, past military checkpoints and borders.”Washington Report on Middle East Affairs
“This is a review about two outstanding comics.”Paul Buhle, Comics Grinder
“Cet oiseau-là survole et raconte un monde d’enfermement et d’oppression qui est celui de la Palestine depuis des décennies.”Jean Stern, Orient XXI
“I enjoyed the art and found this to be an interesting read, but I wouldn’t recommend readers take it at face value as a fair account of the conflict.”Bernie Gourley, Tiger Riding for Beginners
“Œuvre émouvante d’un artiste ayant fait ses armes dans le dessin de presse.”Jorge Sanchez, ActuaBD
“Les éditions Le Fennec publient la traduction du dernier roman graphique de Mohammad Sabaaneh, «Je ne partirai pas, mon histoire est celle de la Palestine».”LesEco.ma
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