A Palestinian writer’s secret effort to preserve his diary
Summary
NPR Plus reports on Palestinian writer Raja Shihadeh’s secret effort to preserve his 60-year diary, which documents life under Israeli occupation. Fearing destruction during the 2023 Gaza war, Shihadeh worked with archivists to digitize and mail his records to the University of Edinburgh. The archive includes personal accounts of the Intifadas, peace talks, and the unresolved murder of his father. Shihadeh remains in the West Bank, using his writings to process the ongoing transformation of his homeland.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Preserving a Palestinian writer's diary
Raja Shatida's background and start of his diary
Documenting the 1967 occupation and first military orders
Diary entries from the 2002 Israeli raid on Ramallah
Personal reflections on peace talks and leadership anger
Recording the changing geography and settlements
Motivations for writing and fears for the archives
Resurfacing fears during the 2023 Gaza war
The secret effort to digitize and mail the archives
Archives relocated to Scottish universities
The mystery of his father's killing and police files
Closure from released files validating his suspicions
Understanding the long-term strategy of occupation
Conclusion: Shatida remains in the West Bank
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