Selma Dabbagh

Woman wearing beaded gown stands on pedestal as two men sitting on chairs look on in bridal dress shop

Stuck between duty and decay

Selma Dabbagh 9 October 2018

An errand between a father and son becomes a truthful look at Nazareth and its people in Annemarie Jacir’s Wajib. Read more about Stuck between duty and decay

Cover of Pay No Heed to the Rockets book shows boy playing guitar while sitting on rubble of bombed-out building

Palestinian writers revealed

Selma Dabbagh 8 May 2018

A contemporary portrait of a people who continue to resist both occupation and simple categorization. Read more about Palestinian writers revealed

Putting Balfour on trial

Selma Dabbagh 23 January 2018

Little-known journalist predicted the consequences of Britain’s meddling in Palestine. Read more about Putting Balfour on trial

Cover of The Commander book shows Fawzi al-Qawuqji as young man sitting in front of tent

Palestine's “scallywag leader of incredible cunning”

Selma Dabbagh 16 December 2016

Adventurous life of Fawzi al-Qawuqji, early 20th century revolutionary, recounted in engrossing new biography. Read more about Palestine's “scallywag leader of incredible cunning”

Writing about Palestine's tragedy

Selma Dabbagh 27 May 2016

Extraordinary Rendition is an anthology of American authors who refuse to self-censor. Read more about Writing about Palestine's tragedy

Israeli prison brutality dramatized in "3000 Nights"

Selma Dabbagh 30 December 2015

A prison cell serves as an analogy for Israel’s occupation in Mai Masri’s debut feature. Read more about Israeli prison brutality dramatized in "3000 Nights"

The triumph of an Arab idol

Selma Dabbagh 12 November 2015

By telling the story of the singer Mohammed Assaf, Hany Abu-Assad has made a feelgood movie about Gaza. Read more about The triumph of an Arab idol

Fear and self-loathing in Gaza

Selma Dabbagh 3 August 2015

Ahmed Masoud’s novel displays sensitivity while portraying a Palestinian who betrays his own people. Read more about Fear and self-loathing in Gaza

Mandate-era play combusts lingering myths on Palestine

Selma Dabbagh 17 July 2015

Land Without People chronicles Zionism’s ascent. Read more about Mandate-era play combusts lingering myths on Palestine

Beit Sahour’s first intifada heroes celebrated in intelligent, funny film

Selma Dabbagh 16 April 2015

Israeli officers spy on cows in saga of nonviolent resistance. Read more about Beit Sahour’s first intifada heroes celebrated in intelligent, funny film