Ismail Adam Patel’s book presents a readable account of the early Muslim expansion into al-Sham (modern day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine) challenging the superpower of the time – the Byzantine Empire. The book covers Muslim activity in al-Sham from 629-637 CE.
Despite this article being written in 1999 during the now discredited “peace process”, its powerful message for the basis of truth and reconciliation in Palestine is equally important today. The writer contends that the people of the region can never move forward unless the oppressors humanise those they systematically oppress and the injustices that have been committed are recognised.
Neville Alexander’s analysis of post-apartheid’s challenges in South Africa has been submitted by the author as a realistic but hopeful view of what a transformed Palestine-Israel can be, as well as sounding salutory warnings on the complacency of a post-conflict state.
In this article, Victoria Brittain explores the many parallels between the treatment of Palestinians by Israel and that of Blacks by the apartheid South African regime, in particular focusing on the Western powers support for the oppressor in both cases. Brittain concludes that the only effective manner in which Palestine can be liberated is for the people of the world to use tactics similar to those used to topple apartheid – Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.
As Gaza is strangled, the main subject of this issue seems out of place if not wishful thinking. What lessons can there be from a transformed state to one whose potential to exist is being systematically destroyed? Within the tragedy that characterises the struggle for
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