In her recent book, co-authored with David Shulman, Koerner Fellow Margaret Olin presents a photographic and verbal account of the landscapes of Palestine as well as encounters with Palestinians living in the occupied territories on the West Bank, in particular the South Hebron Hills and the Jordan Valley. The book explores the daily challenges to existence posed by the occupation, including conflicts with settlers, military and police, and the courage it takes for Palestinians to persist amidst these conditions.
Drawing on many years of activism on the peace and human rights front in Palestine, as well as an ongoing conversation between the authors and with both Palestinian and Jewish activists, the book endeavors to impart to the reader a sense of the beauty of the Palestinian landscape, the sound of the language, the impact of friendships, and the richness of a way of life that is threatened with extinction.
Margaret Olin is senior lecturer emeritus, Yale University, where she had appointments in the departments of Religious Studies and the History of Art, the program in Judaic studies, and the Divinity School. She is the author of publications including The Nation without Art: Examining Modern Discourses on Jewish Art and Touching Photographs. She has also participated in exhibitions as curator and photographer. She and David Shulman produce the blog touchingphotographs.com.
David Shulman is professor emeritus, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author of several books, including Freedom and Despair: Notes from the South Hebron Hills and Tamil: A Biography.