Nur Masalha

This rich and magisterial work traces Palestine's millennia-old heritage, uncovering cultures and societies of astounding depth and complexity that stretch back to the very beginnings of recorded history. Starting with the earliest references in Egyptian and Assyrian texts, Nur Masalha explores how Palestine and its Palestinian identity have evolved over thousands of years, from the Bronze Age to the present...

The year 2012 marks the 63rd anniversary of the Nakba, the most traumatic catastrophe that ever befell Palestinians. The Palestine Nakba explores new ways of remembering and commemorating the Nakba. In the context of Palestinian oral history, the book delves into 'social history from below,' examining subaltern narratives of memory and the formation of collective identity. Nur Masalha argues that...

In this magisterial cultural history of the Palestinians, Nur Masalha illuminates the entire history of Palestinian learning with specific reference to writing, education, literary production, and the intellectual revolutions in the country. The book introduces this long cultural heritage to demonstrate that Palestine was not just a ‘holy land’ for the four monotheistic religions – Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Samaritanism...

Does the Bible justify Zionism? Since the foundation of the Israeli state in 1948, Torah and tank have become increasingly inseparable, resulting in the forced expulsion and subjugation of millions of indigenous Palestinians. Nur Masalha's groundbreaking new book traces Zionism's evolution from a secular, settler movement in the late 19th century, to the messianic faith it has become today. He...

For millennia, and despite its relatively small size, Palestine enjoyed wealth, prosperity and flourishing cities and civilisations. The ancient world’s trade systems and trade routes were fundamental to the emergence of early urban life in ancient Palestine. In fact, the impact of international trade on both ancient and modern Palestine as a whole was radical and transformative. Despite this, the...

For millennia, and despite its relatively small size, Palestine enjoyed wealth, prosperity and flourishing cities and civilisations. The ancient world’s trade systems and trade routes were fundamental to the emergence of early urban life in ancient Palestine. In fact, the impact of international trade on both ancient and modern Palestine as a whole was radical and transformative. Despite this, the...