By Muna Hamzeh (Editor), Todd May (Editor)
Muna Hamzeh is a Palestinian-American journalist and author who has been writing about the Palestinian issue since 1985. She is author of Refugees in Our Land: Chronicles From a Refugee Camp in Bethlehem (Pluto Press 2001). Todd May is Professor of Philosophy at Clemson University in South Carolina, and the author of five books of philosophy. He has been active in the Palestinian rights movement since 1988, and has also been involved in progressive struggles ranging from divestment from South Africa to gay rights.
In March 2002, the Israeli army initiated Operation Defensive Shield, marking one of the most extensive military offensives against Palestinian civilians since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Deploying formidable weaponry including Merkava tanks, Apache helicopters, and F-15 jets, the operation devastated Palestinian infrastructure, ravaged residential areas, and inflicted casualties.
This book presents a collection of firsthand testimonies from Palestinians subjected to the onslaught, alongside accounts from Israeli and international peace activists who witnessed its aftermath. Through these narratives, readers gain poignant insights into the daily struggles faced by Palestinians under Ariel Sharon's military campaign, exposing the grim reality obscured by lofty rhetoric surrounding the operation.
Contrary to claims of noble intentions, the witnesses' testimonies underscore the aggressive nature of Israel's strategy, challenging the narrative propagated by Sharon's government. The editors argue that Operation Defensive Shield served as a precursor to Israel's systematic displacement of Palestinians, offering historical context, a detailed timeline, and critical analysis to contextualize the harrowing events.
"Operation Defensive Shield: Witnesses to Israeli War Crimes" stands as a crucial testament for those seeking to comprehend the events of 2002 in the West Bank and discern their implications for the region's future.
