Theatre and the Israel-Palestine Conflict - by Azza Harras (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This book examines Israeli and Palestinian theatrical work using both historicized socio political contexts and subject matters as well as poststructuralist/ textual, linguistic questions of literary representation and cultural production as discourse, seeking to find the dialectical relationship between these two approaches in postcolonial studies in general and in reading the artistic work of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in specific. This research bridges the gap between the discursive and material aspects of the conflict's narratives. In doing so, it enriches our understanding of how rhetoric, discourse, and cultural expressions have both shaped and been shaped by the conflict's evolution. By delving into the theatrical works of Israeli and Palestinian artists, this study offers a fresh perspective on the power of artistic representation as a form of resistance and response to colonial discourse. This investigation has the potential to not only illuminate the intricate interplay between textual representations and historical realities but also to challenge the prevailing theoretical dichotomies within postcolonial studies. By transcending the limitations of the discursive-poststructuralist debate and the complexities of Marxist-Postcolonial tensions, this study paves the way for a more holistic and nuanced understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the broader framework of colonial history and cultural production. Ultimately, this research stands to reshape how we analyze and appreciate the role of artistic expression in negotiating complex socio-political narratives, offering new insights for scholars in postcolonial studies, theatre studies, and beyond"--

Book Synopsis

This book delves into the complex narratives surrounding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian dispute through the unique lens of theatre. This ground-breaking exploration employs postcolonial theory to analyze a diverse array of theatrical works by Israeli, Palestinian, and Western playwrights. By juxtaposing portrayals of significant events such as the Nakba or the Israeli War of Independence, the Intifadas, and the experiences of diaspora and exile, Harras provides a nuanced examination of how these events are represented on stage. The book reveals the profound impact of language in constructing and contesting historical narratives and underscores theatre's role as a space for cultural critique and self-reflection. This comprehensive study offers new insights into the power of artistic expression to challenge historical dichotomies and encourage a deeper understanding of this enduring conflict. Essential for scholars of Postcolonial Studies, Middle East Studies, and the Performing Arts, this work invites readers to reconsider the conflict through the transformative lens of theatre.

Review Quotes

Palestinian cultural production continues to require intelligent and appropriate analysis. Azza Harras contributes effectively to that analysis, firstly in offering a discussion of one of the least-examined cultural areas - the theatre - and secondly in doing so via a study which productively combines and contrasts Palestinian and Israeli plays covering the same events or historical periods, as well as works from the UK and the US exploring the conflict in Palestine. The fact that her book focuses on a number of less well-known, even untranslated, pieces is an added benefit.
Patrick Williams, Professor, Nottingham Trent University, UK

The intellectual focus of this book consists of reading Israeli and Palestinian theatrical literary responses to key events in the history of Israel-Palestine alongside each other. This serves to expose profoundly the incommensurability of the power-divided narratives generated by colonisation. The wide-ranging study brings to light over-looked sources and further attends to international responses to the conflict. It is a ground-breaking work of crucial timely relevance, and also very moving in its treatment of theatre as an archive of emotions.
Caroline Rooney, Professor Emeritus of African and Middle-Eastern Studies, University of Kent, UK

About the Author

Azza Harras received her Ph.D. in Postcolonial Studies from the University of Kent in 2015. She previously served as an Assistant Lecturer at Misr University for Science and Technology, Egypt and the University of Kent, UK. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English, Culture, and Communication at the Royal Military College of Canada.