Gaza Publications: Preserving Palestinian Stories Amid Genocide
In the initial phase of the Gaza genocide, a writer displaced in Rafah launched Gaza Publications to safeguard Palestinian stories amidst concerns of erasure. Lacking a printing press, the organization contracted printing services in Poland and distributed its works through Germany, Jordan, and Cairo. The volunteer team operated under harsh conditions, represented by their hourglass logo. The inaugural book, "The Man Who Looked Back" by Amer al-Masri, was released on the same day that the founder's cousin's daughter and her children lost their lives. Following this, titles like "I Am at Your Door" by Reham Al-Sabe' and "The Owner of the Sea Shoe" by Bisan Natil were published. Despite numerous obstacles, the initiative strives to uphold the heritage of a besieged community.
Key facts
- Gaza Publications was founded during the genocide in Gaza by a writer displaced in Rafah.
- The publishing house operates without a printing press in Gaza, printing in Poland and distributing via Germany, Jordan, and Cairo.
- The logo features an hourglass with a stopper, symbolizing halted time in Gaza.
- First book: "The Man Who Looked Back" by Amer al-Masri.
- Second book: "I Am at Your Door" by Reham Al-Sabe', about Palestinian women's war experiences.
- Third book: "The Owner of the Sea Shoe" by Bisan Natil, a diary of children in refugee camps.
- The founder's cousin's daughter and her children were killed on the day the first book was published.
- The founder returned to find his home destroyed but saw a small plant surviving, symbolizing writing's resilience.
Entities
Artists
- Amer al-Masri
- Reham Al-Sabe'
- Bisan Natil
Institutions
- Gaza Publications
Locations
- Rafah
- Gaza
- Poland
- Germany
- Jordan
- Cairo