Raja Shehadeh: A Decades-Long Quest to Preserve History Through Diaries

Raja Shehadeh, the world’s leading Palestinian writer, has embarked on a critical mission to preserve his diaries, documenting Palestinian life since 1967. At the age of 75, his writings stand as a unique record of history, capturing pivotal moments and personal insights over decades.

Personal Diaries Provide Historical Insight

Raja Shehadeh’s diaries reveal his meetings with world leaders, work as a human rights lawyer, and advisory role in Palestinian peace talks. His collection, initially at risk due to Israeli military activities, emphasizes his fears of destruction similar to past incidents during the Nakba in 1948, the 1982 Lebanon conflict, and the 2002 Ramallah invasion.

Preserving His Legacy

Recognizing the threat to his work, Shehadeh engaged in a covert effort to transfer his archives. He moved them discreetly to Scotland and digitized them through collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and the University of Exeter, where thousands of pages are now available online.

“I started recording…changes in the geography…landscape…wanting to understand…writing it helped me understand.” – Raja Shehadeh

Criticism of Political Leadership

Shehadeh’s diaries express his frustration with Palestinian leaders for inadequate handling of peace accords and ongoing settlement expansions. He documented his personal anger and criticism, using his diaries to vent without publicizing his discontent, which inevitably influenced his writing.

Historical Investigations

Over 40 years, Shehadeh pursued justice for the 1985 killing of his father, uncovering the inadequate investigation by Israeli police. His persistence in this matter highlighted the protection offered to the main suspect, believed to be a collaborator with Israel, thus bringing some closure.

Endurance and Resilience: The Concept of ‘Sumud’

Shehadeh discusses his belief in ‘sumud’ (steadfastness) as a fundamental resistance against Israeli pressures to make Palestinian life difficult to prompt migration. He advocates building institutions and creating opportunities as a form of resistance.

Potential Legacy

While Shehadeh is less concerned about personal legacy, he hopes his diaries will enlighten future generations about historical developments. Through these writings, he aims to provide clarity on past events, thus serving human rights and truth beyond his other writings and speeches.