What Did We Do to Deserve This; Palestinian Life under Occupation in the West Bank - Howell (2007).pdf

Release date: June 4, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1859641954 | ISBN-13: 978-1859641958 | Edition: 1st

Released to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of Israel s occupation of the West Bank (June1967), this timely book exposes the realities of daily life for Palestinians in the West Bank in the twenty-first century. Based around photographs of, and interviews with, ordinary Palestinian people, it looks at all aspects of daily life ranging from restrictions on movement and imprisonment to the effects of the occupation on business, the practicing of religion and the development of democracy.

By providing the reader with a comprehensive understanding of how Israel's policies in the West Bank affect the lives of real people on the ground, the book cuts through the smokescreens and political correctness that pervade coverage of the issue and offers the reader a new platform from which to form his or her own opinions.


Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye opening... July 12, 2007
By Annoyed of Tunbridge Wells
Format:Hardcover
Anyone wanting to understand exactly why "The West" is viewed with such dislike by so many people in the Arab world would do very well to read Mark Howell's book. "What Did We Do to Deserve This" uses beautiful photographs and very revealing interviews with ordinary people to show how the Israeli occupation is ruining the lives of Palestinians across the West Bank.

The people in this book are not "terrorists", "extremists" or "fundamentalists", but are ordinary, everyday people just like you and me - people with kids and grandparents, rent to pay, lives to live.

No doubt some will dismiss it as "anti-Israeli", but of course there are two sides to every story. You want to build a giant security barrier? Fine, then build it on the border. You want to use checkpoints to guarantee Israeli security? Fair enough, but don't put them between neigbbouring Palestinian towns and villages, preventing pregnant women from getting to hospitals, people from going to work, and kids from going to school. And above all, don't continue to claim the world that you are "the victim", while all the while continuing to seize ever more Palestinian land, making a viable peace agreement ever more unlikely.

This book is eye opening, depressing - and highly recommended!