Palestinian Citizens in Israel

A study of every novel published by Palestinian citizens of Israel between 1948 and 2010

• Presents a comprehensive study of all 75 novels published by Palestinian citizens of Israel over 62 years
• Identifies the intellectual and ideological forces that drove major social and political transformations in the community over six decades
• Develops different concepts relating to Palestinian life in Israel, socially and politically, and in relation to other Palestinians
• Analyses the process of modernisation and the wide range of reactions to it among Palestinians in Israel
• Explores the reactions of Palestinians in Israel to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization from the 1990s to 2000

This book uses the methodology of sociology and literary studies to come to terms with the reality of Palestinian citizens of Israel across several generations. It explores the evolution of Palestinian identity from one that struggled for independence and self-determination up to 1948, to one that now presses the call for civil rights and civic equality. What were the forces that shaped this transformation over six decades?

Traditional sociological research on this community focusses on the structural relationships between Israel and its Palestinian citizens. Primarily concerned with the political discourse and activism of this community, it mostly makes use of party agendas, voting patterns and opinion polls as primary indicators. In contrast, this book focuses on the Palestinian voice, through an analysis of the 75 novels published by Palestinian citizens of Israel from 1948 to 2010. Paying attention to processes that are internal to this community, the author identifies the intellectual and ideological forces that drove major social and political transformations in this community over this period.