ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

IT WOULD TAKE more than a page or two to thank all the people who have helped us in the process of creating this volume, from the time when it was just a mere idea to having it published. The inspiring authors, whose writings have graced this book, are but a small representation of the many more who engaged with us in terms of research, discussion and various contributions, including translation, editing and proof-reading.

Thank you to Diana G. Collier of Clarity Press for her enthusiasm and support of the idea from its inception. Her feedback and constant encouragement made this intricate, time-consuming and urgent project possible.

Romana Rubeo, Italian journalist, editor and translator, has played an integral part in the production of this book. She has played several essential roles, from administering the project, to translating part of the content, to proof-reading. Thank you, Romana, your help and support were indispensable.

Sylvia Fernandes has served more than the role of the copyeditor of this book. Her feedback, ideas and attention to detail have allowed us to streamline the work of many intellectuals into one volume. She took on a massive project and fulfilled her role with patience and grace. To her, we are indebted.

Samah Sabawi was a critical part of this work. Her essay “Writing in the Blank Spaces” is an essential read, as it fulfills an important part of the Palestinian narrative, one that is often neglected. However, she has been much more than that. Her brilliant translations of several essays, from Arabic to English, have allowed us to create a more inclusive space enabling Palestinian intellectuals to have their voices heard.

Our gratitude also goes to the University of Exeter and The European Centre for Palestine Studies for agreeing to be part of this important project, one that we hope will advance more pro-active thinking on Palestine, while espousing the kind of discourse that is centered on Palestinian intellectuals.

The real stars of this project are the engaged intellectuals whose legacies, thoughts—and also patience—made this book what it is today: the genesis of an urgent conversation that concerns all Palestinians and supporters of justice and human rights in Palestine and everywhere. Thanks so very much to all of you. Your sacrifices and indefatigable efforts for a free Palestine will be appreciated for generations to come.

Thank you to all of our brilliant translators who were involved in the production of this book, who, aside from Sabah Sabawi and Romana Rubeo, include Ahmed Almassri and Nahed Elrayes.

A special note of appreciation goes to Palestinian author and journalist, Ali Abunimah, for all of his help and support.

Thank you also to Yousef Aljamal, Iain Chalmers, Marisa Consolata Kemper, Yafa Jarrar, Sheryl Bedas, Ahmed Yousef, Rabab Abdulhadi, John Harvey, Salman Abu Sitta, Maren Mantovani, Louis Brehony, Noha Khalaf, Islah Jad, Triestino Mariniello, Aida and the late Carl Bradley, Tamara De Melo, Richard Falk, Omar Aziz, Mark Seddon, Erica Aloang Aquino, Issam Adwan, Vincenzo Rubeo and Anna Cacace.

We would also like to acknowledge the contributions and support of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), Center for Islamic and Global Affairs (CIGA) and Palestine Deep Dive.

Thank you to our families for their patience, support and encouragement every step of the way. A special thank you goes to our cover page model, Iman Baroud, our creative designer Zarefah Baroud, and our sports consultant, Sammy Baroud. They are the rising stars of Palestine.