Contents

Foreword by Edward W. Said

 1 The Bridge

2 This is Ramallab

3 Deir Ghassanah

4 The Village Square

5 Living in Time

6 Uncle Daddy

7 Displacements

8 Reunion

9 The Daily Day of Judgment

 

Foreword by Edward W. Said

In his foreword, Edward Said praises ‘I Saw Ramallah’ as one of the most compelling existential accounts of Palestinian displacement. He highlights Mourid Barghouti’s poetic approach to describing the profound emotional impact of returning to Palestine after a 30-year exile. Said emphasizes that Barghouti’s narrative stands out for its ability to encapsulate the whirlwind of emotions, including happiness, sorrow, anger, and regret, that accompany such a return. He notes that Palestine is not just a place but a site of historical and political contention, where the past and present collide under the weight of occupation. Said also addresses the so-called ‘peace process’ and its failure to resolve key issues for Palestinians, especially the right of return. Said underscores how Barghouti’s book reflects not only his personal journey but the collective experience of Palestinian statelessness and longing for home.