Lebanese Artists in Exile: Neither Critical Enough Nor Critical Enough

Lebanese artists in exile face a double bind: their work is often deemed too critical of Israel in Germany or the US, while in Lebanon it is seen as not critical enough. The article highlights the experience of poet Zeina Hashem Beck, who emigrated for economic reasons 15 years ago. After a decade in Dubai, she now lives in California, bridging time zones and internet gaps via WhatsApp. Her 2024 poem "Southern Sonnet" reflects the struggle to write amid overwhelming news. The piece underscores the broader context of Israel's ongoing annexation of southern Lebanon.