Reunion

In this chapter, Mourid Barghouti continues to reflect on the complexities of exile, displacement, and the emotional weight of returning home. The chapter begins with Barghouti reuniting with friends and family after his journey. Upon returning to the house, he finds it full of people who were worried about him, including Abu Hazim, who mentions that Radwa (his wife) and Tamim (his son) had called from Cairo, while others called from Amman. Barghouti reflects on his attempt to arrange the return of his son, Tamim, to Palestine. He mentions that he had asked Radwa to send a copy of Tamim’s birth certificate so that Tamim could apply for his identity card, symbolizing the effort to reclaim their rightful place in their homeland. Barghouti highlights the bureaucratic hurdles involved in reclaiming this right, as he engages with officials to complete the application process.

During a visit to the Ministry of Culture, Barghouti engages in a conversation about the relationship between Egyptian intellectuals and normalization with Israel. He praises Egyptian intellectuals for maintaining a strong stance against normalization, emphasizing that they continue to fight the cultural war against Israel. He explains that despite Israel’s occupation and injustice, intellectuals across the Arab world maintain solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Barghouti also discusses the impact of censorship on Palestinian literature under Israeli occupation. He notes how Israel banned the importation of most Palestinian literary works, leading to reliance on smuggled books, newspaper cuttings, and Arab media as a way to preserve their cultural heritage. Barghouti’s own experience with censorship is personal, as he recalls how his works were banned in Palestine for a long time. However, after years of displacement, he is finally able to publish his poetry in his homeland, marking a small but significant victory.

The chapter takes a reflective turn when Barghouti recalls an encounter with Israeli lawyer Felicia Langer, who defended Palestinian detainees. During a symposium in Vienna, she jokingly remarks about occupying Palestinian spaces even in Austria, highlighting the irony of Israel’s occupation. Barghouti expresses his frustration with the "compassion of the victor over the loser," noting that while some Israelis sympathize with the Palestinian plight, they struggle to fully grasp the magnitude of the Palestinian cause. He criticizes the false equivalence made between the occupier and the occupied, rejecting the idea of “equal rights” to Palestinian land.

Barghouti reflects on the Oslo Accords and the political situation that followed. He expresses disillusionment with the Palestinian Authority and its relationship with Israel. He notes how the Oslo process forced Palestinians into a situation of continuous adaptation to Israeli demands. While the Palestinian leadership was pressured during negotiations, the Israeli prime minister could simply leave the table and continue with his life in Jerusalem, illustrating the unequal power dynamics in the peace process.

Barghouti is deeply critical of the way the world exerts pressure on Palestinians during both war and peace, while Israel remains unchallenged. The disappointment in Oslo and the Palestinian leadership’s failures mirror the personal frustrations Barghouti feels about his own displacement. He describes the bitterness of exile as a lifelong condition, where political solutions often fall short of restoring justice to the displaced. Barghouti contemplates his role as a father and the challenges of raising a child in exile. He compares his relationship with Tamim to the relationship he had with his own father. Barghouti reflects on how Palestinian fathers often conceal their emotions as a way to present a model of strength and resilience to their children. This suppression of emotions is a survival mechanism in the face of displacement, and Barghouti acknowledges how it shapes his interactions with Tamim and Radwa.

Barghouti hopes that Tamim will one day have the right to live in Palestine, even if he chooses to live elsewhere later. He emphasizes the difference between a person who can return to their homeland and one whose displacement is beyond their control. For Barghouti, ensuring that Tamim has the right to return is a crucial victory, even if it comes years later.

The chapter concludes with Barghouti’s reflections on the complexity of Palestinian identity in exile. He discusses the contradictions that shape the lives of Palestinians, particularly the children who grow up under occupation. Barghouti observes how the new generation of Palestinians has developed unique characteristics—both emotional transparency and resilience—due to their exposure to harsh realities at a young age. The chapter highlights the duality of fragility and strength that defines the Palestinian experience, shaped by decades of occupation and displacement. Barghouti’s reflections on the next generation underscore his hope for the future, despite the ongoing challenges of exile. He contemplates the enduring nature of displacement and the heavy emotional toll it takes on individuals and families. Yet, through his writing and poetry, Barghouti continues to assert the resilience of Palestinian identity and the importance of cultural and political resistance.