Elias ⁣Khoury: A Passionate Lover of Palestine

Elias Khoury, ⁤a renowned Lebanese novelist and⁤ writer, passed⁢ away on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of literary works⁣ that passionately advocated for the Palestinian cause. ‌Born in 1948 in the Beirut ⁢neighborhood of Achrafih, Khoury dedicated his​ life to writing about the​ epic ‍of Palestine, ⁣driven by his ‍humanity and his belief in ⁤the power of literature to‍ resist brutality, ​ugliness, and occupation.

Khoury’s largest work of fiction, ⁢”Children of⁢ the Ghetto” (2016-2023), tells the story of Adam Thanoun, a⁣ protagonist who recalls the Lod Genocide from his American‌ exile. The novel opposes ‌the Zionist occupier’s⁣ attempts to erase‌ Palestine, drawing parallels with the tyranny ‌of the ghetto in⁤ Eastern Europe before World War II. Khoury’s unique work project aimed to⁤ write‌ about the Nakba as it happened, exposing Zionism and freeing Palestine from‍ the illusions of Orientalists⁣ and the ​myth ​of biblical promises.

Another notable work by Khoury is “Bab al-Shams” (1998), a ‍love novel based⁤ on the homeland and Palestinian ​memories. ‌The story ⁤follows two parallel love⁣ stories in‌ exile, detailing the fall of Palestinian villages​ such as Ain al-Zaytoun, Deir al-Asad, and al-Birwa in the Galilee. The novel was ⁣adapted into a film in⁢ 2004⁢ and won‌ several awards, ‌including the “Banipal” Literary Award and the ⁢”Palestine Grand Prize.”

Khoury’s involvement in the Palestinian orbit led ‌him⁣ to⁣ encounter​ two major Palestinian figures, Edward Said and‌ Mahmoud Darwish, who forever marked his literary and professional life.​ He ⁢had​ a long career in Lebanese journalism, serving‍ as editor-in-chief of Al-Safir’s cultural section⁢ and artistic director of ‌Beirut Theater. Khoury received the Spanish ⁣Legion of Honor in⁣ 2011 and ‍the UNESCO⁢ Prize for Arab Culture.

Khoury remained committed ⁢to his Palestinianism until his last breath, as well as his commitment to ‌his Lebanon in confronting the ruling⁤ authorities. He relied heavily on the ​youth who woke up in⁢ the streets of⁤ the ⁣Lebanese capital in 2019, facing the mafia ‌of corruption, sectarianism, and banks. His sentence,⁢ “What we‍ want to ⁢live ⁣for is worth dying for,” sums up his entire humanitarian and literary ‌career.

He first dedicated himself to​ writing the epic of Palestine when he became aware of his humanity and his belief in literature’s ability to resist brutality, ugliness, ‌and​ occupation.

Early Life and Career

Khoury was⁢ born in 1948 in the⁤ Beirut⁢ neighborhood of Achrafih. He soon found himself​ sympathizing with ⁣the Palestinians, whose statehood​ demanded a “second office.” When their brutal police ⁣investigations crushed the bones of ⁣their workers, Khoury joined their camps in​ Jordan and closely followed their political​ and ​humanitarian isolation‌ after‌ the events of “Black September”‌ in 1970.

Khoury worked as an editor for the⁢ “Palestine Affairs” magazine between 1975 and 1997 and‍ was ​seriously injured in the Lebanese civil war. He drew from the⁢ history ⁣of the region and its vast mosaic of ethnic and national groups in “Yalo” (2002), which ⁣tells the story ⁢of ​the genocide of the Syriacs in Syria.

Literary‍ Works

Khoury wrote several​ books on stories, ⁤literature, and poetry-criticism, apart from three plays.​ His notable works include “The Little Mountain” (1977), “The Journey of Little Gandhi” (1989), and “The ⁢Smell​ of Soap” ⁣(2000).

Khoury’s literary career was marked by his ⁣commitment ‍to the Palestinian cause and his​ belief ​in the power of literature to resist brutality, ugliness, and occupation. His works continue to inspire and ‍educate readers about the Palestinian struggle and the importance of humanity and compassion.