Historian Unearths Palestinian Life Under Occupation Through Archival Rediscovery
Washington D.C. – November 7,2025 - A new podcast series,”In the Archive with Beshara Doumani,” launched today by the Middle east Research and Details Project (MERIP),offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Palestinians in the West Bank during the First Intifada and beyond,utilizing meticulously researched archival materials. Historian Beshara Doumani’s work challenges conventional narratives by centering Palestinian voices and experiences often absent from mainstream historical accounts.
The podcast builds upon Doumani’s decades-long commitment to uncovering Palestinian history through primary sources. It arrives at a critical juncture, as renewed conflict and displacement in the region underscore the enduring importance of understanding the historical roots of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle. The series aims to provide context for current events,offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the complexities faced by Palestinians under occupation and the resilience of their communities. The stakes are high: accurate historical understanding is vital for informed policy and just resolutions.
Doumani, a professor at Brown University, draws heavily from the archives of the palestinian Liberation Association (PLO) and other sources to reconstruct a detailed picture of life in Jabal Nablus between 1700 and 1900, as detailed in his 1995 book, Rediscovering Palestine: Merchants and Peasants in Jabal Nablus, 1700-1900. He extends this approach to examine the period surrounding the First Intifada (1987-1993), a pivotal uprising against Israeli occupation.
A 1989 Middle East Report article, “Abu Farid’s House,” exemplifies Doumani’s methodology, focusing on the experiences of a single Palestinian family to illuminate broader social and political dynamics. The article, and the podcast series, reveal how ordinary Palestinians navigated the challenges of occupation, including economic hardship, political repression, and social disruption. Another Middle East Report issue from the same period, “Israel Faces the Uprising,” provides further context, detailing the Israeli response to the Intifada and its impact on Palestinian society.
“In the Archive with Beshara Doumani” is available now on major podcast platforms.MERIP is soliciting donations to support the continued production of this and other vital reporting.
