Palestine in a World on Fire is deeply indebted to the work of a collective, who organized to make possible moments of togetherness in a time of immeasurable loss. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we gathered to listen to and learn from some of the most visionary, radical voices holding academia accountable to political realities, everyday life, and powerful ideals such as “justice” and “internationalism.” We met in the evenings (UK-time)—which were mornings, afternoons, and late nights in the locations from which our audiences joined us—and we paused. To center Palestine, to trace connections, to think beyond the limits of what seems possible. And to renew our commitment to work together in pursuit of transformation.
This project, a conversation series, unfolded over two years and owes much to the generosity, creativity, and skill of friends and comrades. We would like to thank those who chaired each conversation with grace and wisdom, hosting our guests and facilitating discussion: Asha Ali, Colter Louwerse, Sajjad Rizvi, Roba al-Salibi, Clara El Akiki, Kanwal Hameed, Adam Hanieh, Neha Shaji, Lara Choksey, Malcolm Richards, Francesco Amoruso, Bryar Bajalan, Tina Phillips, Rami Rmeileh, Natalie Ohana, Hashem Abushama, Nandini Chatterjee, Lara Fricke, and Sabiha Allouche. We also owe much gratitude to the technical team who came together to enable our online meetings to become intimate global conversations— while others are thanked above, Andrea Wallace was key to ensuring a smooth production and a warm atmosphere of exchange. We also wish to acknowledge those who helped at the virtual “door” and made each event a truly inclusive experience: Finlay Carroll, Riadh Ghemmour, and Tinashe Verhaeghe, among others named previously.
Our series also benefited from the expertise in technology and communication brought together by the University of Exeter. In particular we thank Melanie Shaw, Helen Gilhespy, Emma Clark, Toby Squire, and the broader University IT and Events Teams. The important work of spreading the word was undertaken by Nadia Khalaf, Sarah Roberts, Sarah Wood, Safi Darden, and Joseph Sweetman, whose connections and knowledge enabled these conversations to reach—and include—people across the globe. Our gratitude also extends to the assistants supporting our guests: Cassandra Shaylor, Aspasia Feggouli, Stephanie Lee, and Surya Parkeh. And we wish to thank Pascale Walker for the use of her original artwork.
We are also grateful to our organizational and institutional partners, namely the Exeter Decolonizing Network (EDN), the European Centre for Palestine Studies (ECPS), the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS), and the University of Exeter. We are especially appreciative of Professor Gareth Stansfield’s work in championing the conversation series and insisting on its significance to university leadership.
Yet the “work” of this project is perhaps most indebted to our students, whose visions of the future inspire us to meet, to ask questions, to seek wisdom, to listen, and to do. This book is for you.