The Stream

How can poets express Palestine’s struggle?

The Stream talks to Palestinian poets about creative forms of protest.

When the words of politicians and pundits fail, what can a poet express about the plight of Palestinians? Palestinian poets have long used their creative skills to highlight experiences of dispossession, exile, living under occupation and the resilience of their people.

This month, Israel convicted the Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour for inciting violence and supporting what it called “terrorism” after she published a poem on social media titled “Resist, my people, resist.” Tatour could face up to five years in prison.

Ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, or “catastrophe”, we’ll discuss the Palestinian relationship to poetry. What role do poets play in speaking out against oppression? Join the conversation at 1930GMT.

 

 

Read more:

The terror of poetry – Haaretz
 

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