October 21, 2006

Palestinian History: Create It, If You Can't Remember It

By Rachel Neuwirth
Professor Rashid Khalidi raises a very pertinent question in his article Unwritten History,  recently published in the Boston Globe.  In essence, he laments that the Palestinians have not written down their own history and he observes that their failure to do so has made their claim for Palestinian statehood more problematic. Mr. Khalidi's initiative must be welcomed by all those who seek the historical truth in the Middle East conflict.  But we may wonder why it is that the history of the Palestinian people has suddenly become such an important issue.  After all, many years ago, Yasser Arafat lifted any lingering doubt by tracing Palestinian history all the way back to the Jebusites! Peoples  — real ones —  know their history.  History precedes the collective consciousness of a people.   Jews, Kurds, Tibetans, Mongols, and a myriad others are very much aware of who they are.  They need no latecomer to remind them of their...(Read Full Article)