The Mission to Save Personal Work
Raja Shehadeh, a prominent Palestinian writer, has been determined to preserve his personal work, specifically his diaries. With over 20 published books, Shehadeh documented Palestinian life since 1967, the onset of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. This documentation began when he was just a teenager.
His diaries capture unique perspectives from his meetings with world leaders, his legal battles for human rights, and his advisory role in Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
Worried about potential destruction by Israeli military operations, Shehadeh moved his diaries, stored in a West Bank garage, to Scotland. The University of Edinburgh now houses the archives, while the University of Exeter has digitized thousands of pages online.
The Impact of Continuous Diary Writing
Writing consistently in his diaries allowed Shehadeh to better understand his surroundings and himself. Beginning at 15, before the occupation, it helped document what he deemed a historic period. It provided a platform for preserving his experiences and the changing world around him.
A View from 2002: Invasion of Ramallah
Excerpts from 2002 during Israel’s invasion of Ramallah depict the chaos and solitude Shehadeh experienced. Sleepless nights filled with bombings and shootings affected his mood, and he found himself isolated, longing for freedom. A brief lift of curfew allowed him a glimpse outside, revealing empty streets and military presence. He criticized the portrayal of Palestinians as melodramatic in media, while noting their struggles.
Frustration with the Peace Process
In the 1990s, Shehadeh expressed anger in his diaries regarding the peace accords that failed to halt Israeli settlement expansion. This documentation served as an outlet for his frustration with local leadership. He deemed settlement halts necessary before striking agreements but saw this overlooked.
Observing Changes in the West Bank
Shehadeh documented geographic and social changes in the West Bank, observing effects of expanding settlements. His walks through hills transitioned into written reflections, aiding him in understanding these transformations.
Fear for His Archive’s Safety
Shehadeh feared for his archives’ safety, recalling previous destructions of Palestinian records in historical conflicts. With increased concerns during recent wars in Gaza, he initiated efforts to secure his diaries. A two-year project digitized and quietly relocated his works to Scotland, mitigating risks of loss during military operations.
Pursuing Justice for His Father
Shehadeh’s pursuit to investigate his father’s 1985 killing spanned four decades. Discoveries in 2025 revealed Israeli police investigation files, indicating a lack of inquiry into the primary suspect. This confirmed Shehadeh’s long-standing suspicions and provided a sense of closure.
Documenting Israel’s Control
He recognized early on the importance of steadfastness, or sumud, in resisting efforts to expel Palestinians from occupied territories. Establishing institutions and community work were, in his perspective, crucial for Palestinian resilience.
Legacy Hopes
Shehadeh is less concerned with his legacy for posterity’s sake and more focused on how his diaries can offer understanding of historical developments. Through them, he hopes to contribute significantly to human rights and truth, potentially achieving more than through conventional forms like books and speeches.
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