![The Bible Is Not a Baton [Book Review]](https://epalestine.ps/sambahour/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/the-bible-is-not-a-baton-1790705007.png)
by Sam Bahour | September 15, 2023 | Books, Writings
The opening line of Decolonizing Palestine: The Land, the People, the Bible says it all: “For Palestinians, including the Palestinian Christian community, Palestine is a real land with real people.” It seems self-evident, but in a time when more people are in love with some majestic idea of Israel/Palestine rather than the real Israel/Palestine, it needs to be reiterated. This short read debunks many falsehoods that have taken root in parts of the Christian community over time and have been kept alive by constant watering by the State of Israel and the Zionist movement.
![“Rooted in Palestine: Palestinian Christians and the Struggle for National Liberation 1917-2004” [Recommended]](https://epalestine.ps/sambahour/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Rooted-in-Palestine-Palestinian-Christians-and-the-Struggle-for-National-Liberation-1917-2004-Xavier-Abu-Eid.jpg)
by Sam Bahour | October 15, 2022 | Books
Palestinian Christians are not only an integral part of the Palestinian struggle for freedom and independence, but they have also been pillars of Palestinian politics, resistance, business, culture, art, and so much more. Rooted in Palestine is a commendable synopsis of the Palestinian Christian community, interwoven with the history of the Church in Palestine and the inner dynamics of Palestine’s liberation movement. I congratulate my friend Xavier Abu Eid for this invaluable contribution to the documentation of Palestine and Palestinians.
![“Stranger in My Own Land: Palestine, Israel and One Family’s Story of Home” by Fida Jiryis [Book Review]](https://epalestine.ps/sambahour/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/stranger-in-my-own-land-1183647562.jpeg)
by Sam Bahour | September 8, 2022 | Books, Recommended!, Writings
I am ecstatic to be able to share with you the first review of the forthcoming book, Stranger in My Own Land: Palestine, Israel and One Family’s Story of Home, by Fida Jiryis. It was published in Le Monde diplomatique (English edition), September 2022 Issue, as part of their Palestine special report. For over a decade, I witnessed the making of this landmark memoir from concept to publishing. All I can say is R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the author and publisher. Order your copy today; this is not one to be missed!
![“Blood Brothers: The Dramatic Story of a Palestinian Christian Working for Peace in Israel” by Elias Chacour [Recommended]](https://epalestine.ps/sambahour/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blood-brothers-elias-chacour.jpg)
by Sam Bahour | December 31, 1984 | Books
As a child, Elias Chacour lived in a small Palestinian village in Galilee. The townspeople were proud of their ancient Christian heritage and lived at peace with their Jewish neighbors. But early in 1947, their idyllic lifestyle was swept away as tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed and nearly one million forced into refugee camps. An exile in his native land, Elias began a years-long struggle with his love for the Jewish people and the world’s misunderstanding of his own people, the Palestinians. How was he to respond? He found his answer in the simple, haunting words of the Man of Galilee: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” In Blood Brothers, Chacour blends his riveting life story with historical research to reveal a little-known side of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the birth of modern Israel. He touches on controversial questions such as “What behind-the-scenes politics touched off the turmoil in the Middle East?”, “What does Bible prophecy really have to say?”, and “Can bitter enemies ever be reconciled?” (Publisher’s description)
![The frozen Chosen: Michael Chabon’s "The Yiddish Policemen’s Union" [Book Review]](https://epalestine.ps/sambahour/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BookCover-hires-1.jpg)