SEATTLE - After several months of Israeli attempts to conceal the conduct
of the IDF in the Israeli invasion of the Jenin refugee camp in April 2002,
the most compelling, detailed and revealing account of the historic events
will finally be available to the public.
The book entitled "Searching Jenin, Eyewitness Accounts of the
Israeli Invasion, 2002", is without a doubt, a must for anyone interested
in Middle East history, politics and current events. The work, which includes
final statistics of casualties, human and material losses, is by far the
most comprehensive and exhaustive volume written on the issue.
"Searching Jenin," a collective effort of nearly 60 scholars,
reporters, and activists, Palestinians, Israelis and Internationals, is
edited by Ramzy Baroud and includes a Forward by the highly-renowned scholar,
Noam Chomsky. The book is being published by Cune Press in Seattle, and
is a part of their Bridge Between Cultures project.
"I owe my greatest thanks to our commissioned reporters in Palestine,"
said Ramzy Baroud, the editor of 'Searching Jenin", Many of them put
their safety, and in some cases, their lives on the line to collect account
after tragic account for this book. Because of their integrity and professionalism,
they were able to interview many high profile figures that refused to take
an interview with any other news agency."
Not only does the book include scores of telling accounts of residents
who witnessed and survived the invasion, but it includes interviews with
people such as the wife and the mother of Mahmud Tawalbe, the leader of
the resistance in Jenin. Tawalbe was shot and killed by Israeli forces.
The book also includes a detailed interview with the only eyewitness to
the extra-judicial execution of Abu Jandal, the second in command of the
Palestinian resistance in Jenin.
The courageous reporters who combed the streets of Jenin, interviewed
medical personnel, resistance fighters, and even children, including an
8 year old girl named Rund, who complained that the army broke her only
doll. Rund's father was later shot and killed by the army. They also interviewed
an elderly widow who explained how she implored Israeli forces as they
demolished her small home, burying her disabled son alive under the rubble.
Her son's body was never recovered.
"We had so many obstacles to overcome, primarily the Israeli army's
refusal to allow me entry into Palestine," stated Baroud. "For
the past several months, the Israeli government has done everything in
their power to cover-up their actions, including the barring of a UN investigation
team to the area. Until now, the Palestinians are still unable to carry
out their own official investigation due to the fact that the camp is still
under a strict curfew. But in spite of all these hurdles, and thanks to
the hard work and contributions of so many, the truth is going to come
out into the light."
Baroud and Cune Press are ready for the anticipated controversy such
a book will stir, which follows the recent release of the film documentary
titled, "Jenin, Jenin", a film that was abruptly banned by the
Israeli government. However, they both state that "Searching Jenin"
will not simply add fuel to the controversy about the events in Jenin,
but that it will prove to be the most revealing document to date regarding
the atrocities last April that came to be a symbol of Palestinian resistance
world-wide.
Ali Samoudi, the project facilitator in Jenin stressed, "The promotion
of this important book is the collective responsibility of all who care
about justice and truth. This book is dear to the hearts off all refugees
in Jenin, because for the first time, we are narrating our own story."
You can order your advanced copy now in the Palestine Chronicle Gift
Shop. Just to to palestinechronicle.com
and click on "Buy the Book and Support Jenin". 50% of all
editors' royalties on this book will go back to the relief effort in Jenin.
For further information, contact us at editor@palestinechronicle.com.
Ramzy Baroud is available for interviews and welcomes book reviews,
he can also be reached at editor@palestinechronicle.com.