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Mapping My Return: A Palestinian Memoir

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By Hanan Ashrawi

Published by: Simon & Schuster : 978-1-5011-6422-4

Review by:

Mapping My Return: A Palestinian Memoir

by Susan Goldenberg

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	17745 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	352 pages

"Mapping My Return is a powerful and moving memoir that tells the story of one woman's journey to reclaim her Palestinian identity and her homeland. Written with honesty, humor, and passion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Middle East, human rights, or the power of personal stories to change the world."

Laila Lalami, author of The Moor's Account

About the Book:

In Mapping My Return, Hanan Ashrawi tells the story of her life as a Palestinian woman, from her childhood in Ramallah to her years as a political activist and leader. Along the way, she shares her experiences of living under Israeli occupation, her work for peace and justice, and her hopes for the future of her people.

Ashrawi's memoir is a powerful and moving account of one woman's journey to reclaim her Palestinian identity and her homeland. It is also a story of hope, resilience, and the power of personal stories to change the world.

About the Author:

Hanan Ashrawi is a Palestinian legislator, activist, and scholar. She is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Ashrawi is also a professor of literature at Birzeit University.

Ashrawi has received numerous awards for her work, including the Reebok Human Rights Award, the Niwano Peace Prize, and the Olof Palme Prize. She has also been named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Excerpt:

"I was born in Ramallah, Palestine, in 1946. My parents were refugees from the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. They had lost their home and everything they owned, and they were forced to start over in a new land.

Growing up, I was always aware of the fact that I was a Palestinian refugee. My parents never forgot their homeland, and they always talked about the day when they would be able to return.

I went to school in Ramallah, and I learned about the history of Palestine and the struggle of my people. I also learned about the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

As I got older, I became more and more involved in the Palestinian national movement. I joined a political party, and I began to organize demonstrations and protests. I was also arrested several times by the Israeli authorities.

In 1988, I was elected to the Palestinian National Council. I was one of the first women to be elected to the Council, and I was the youngest member.

In 1993, I was part of the Palestinian delegation that negotiated the Oslo Accords with the Israelis. The Oslo Accords were a major breakthrough in the peace process, and they gave the Palestinians hope for a better future.

However, the Oslo Accords have not led to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Israelis have continued to build settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and they have imposed a blockade on Gaza. The Palestinians are still living under Israeli occupation, and they are still struggling for their freedom and independence.

I believe that the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination. I believe that they have the right to live in peace and security in their own homeland. I believe that the Israeli occupation must end.

I am committed to working for peace and justice in Palestine. I believe that one day, the Palestinian people will be free.

Reviews:

Laila Lalami, author of The Moor's Account

"Hanan Ashrawi is a remarkable woman, and her memoir is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the Palestinian struggle. Ashrawi writes with honesty, humor, and passion, and she gives readers a unique insight into the lives of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Mapping My Return is a powerful and moving account of one woman's journey to reclaim her Palestinian identity and her homeland."

The New York Times Book Review

"Mapping My Return is a powerful and inspiring memoir. Ashrawi's story is a reminder of the human cost of the Israeli occupation, and it is a call to action for all who believe in peace and justice."