Much has been written and spoken about as well as protested against the brutality of Israel’s occupation over the Palestinian territories. However, Palestinian freelance journalist, Laila El-Haddad’s honest account of being a wife, mother, daughter and simply a Palestinian under occupation exposes the reader to a reality incomprehensible beyond the boundaries of the separation wall.
A compilation of her personal blog, detailing the experiences of bringing up her son, Yousuf, and political articles for various media outlets, Gaza Mama, adds a new depth to the existing global discourse on Israeli policies. As a distant spectator to the complexities of being Gazan and limited to social media perpetuated objectivity, Laila El-Haddad’s time-testing struggles coupled with a resilient spirit convey the idiosyncrasies and absurdities in a manner almost impossible to detach from.