Hekmat Al-Taweel (1922–2008) was a native Palestinian Christian from Gaza City whose narrative unearths a version of history long excluded from mainstream discourse and provides an unfamiliar perspective on Muslim–Christian relationships. Her stories about life in Gaza highlight shared history, vibrant culture, and cherished traditions. Al-Taweel continued her education after marriage, sought community volunteer work, worked as a teacher and supervisor, and committed to activism throughout her life, all of which contradicts widespread Western orientalized stereotypes of Arab women. She also shares insights into life in Gaza during the British Mandate period as well as the 1948 Nakba and its aftermath. This is the third book in the Women’s Voices from Gaza Series, which honours women’s unique and underrepresented perspectives on the social, material, and political realities of Palestinian life. Foreword by Ilan Pappe.

Hekmat Al-Taweel was a native Palestinian Christian from Gaza City.

Hekmat Al-Taweel's profile page

Ghada Ageel is Visiting Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta and a columnist for the Middle East Eye, London. She holds a PhD and MA in Middle East Politics from the University of Exeter (Britain) and a BA in Education from the Islamic University/Gaza. Dr. Ageel is the recipient of several awards and scholarships including The Phillips Grant (UK, 2013), The Jerusalem Studies’ Scholarship of the University of Exeter (2002 and 1999), the Higher Education Award of the Ministry of Education (Palestine, 1996) and the Hebrew Language and Literature Scholarship (Gaza, 1993). Her research interests focus on rights-based approaches to forced migration, Palestinian refugees in comparative perspective, oral history, women's studies, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the permanent status issues involved in the Middle East peace process. Dr. Ageel's work has been widely published in several newspapers, magazines, and journals worldwide, including The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Hill, CNN, BBC, The Guardian, Journal for Palestine Studies, Palestine Chronicle, MATAN Magazine (Hebrew) and many Arabic newspapers throughout the Middle East. Dr. Ageel has a diverse background, and distinctly inter-disciplinary knowledge, including almost 20 years of first-hand experience in the fields of education, research, consultancy, management, NGOs operation, journalism, disaster management, and communications. She has also worked with several institutions in the UK (University of Exeter, the Guardian Newspaper, Hoping Foundation), US (Institute for Middle East Understanding, the Academy for Educational Development and Interfaith Peace Builders), Canada (The Canadian Red Cross and University of Alberta) and in Palestine (International Cooperation South-South, The Palestinian Abraham Centre for languages and NHK).

Ghada Ageel's profile page

Barbara Bill has experience with several international humanitarian organizations including six years in Gaza. She currently resides in New South Wales, Australia.

Barbara Bill's profile page

“The Women's Voices From Gaza series is exceptional, offering insights into modern Gaza’s social history. It will attract a wide readership in Palestine studies and gender studies, as well as individuals interested in the Palestine question.” Rema Hammami, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Birzeit University