Dr. Muhammad Abu Asba

“Jisr al-Zarqa: Testimonies in the Face of Challenges” is more than a book recounting historical events; it is a living document and an honest testimony that reflects the reality and hardships of Jisr al-Zarqa and its people. In this book, authors Samir Abu al-Hayja and Sami al-Ali have collected testimonies from the village’s residents, offering us a compelling and authentic account of the history of this Palestinian Arab village—the only one that has remained standing on the Palestinian coast (within the territories of 1948) since the Nakba.

The book enables readers to explore the complexities of everyday life in Jisr al-Zarqa, including the challenges posed by urban planning restrictions, population pressures, and the ongoing struggles to preserve the village’s identity and heritage amid complex political, social, and economic circumstances. The authors draw on a combination of rigorous historical research and carefully collected personal testimonies from the village’s elders and residents, giving the book a human dimension that extends beyond dates and figures.

This book is not merely a documentation of a village’s history; it is also a bold attempt to confront biased historical narratives and shed light on the reality of life in Jisr al-Zarqa as experienced by its people. It is a message of hope and resilience, and a call for justice and recognition of the history and suffering of a people who have never relinquished their land or their identity.

Dedicated to the residents of Jisr al-Zarqa and the Palestinian people, this book makes an important contribution to preserving collective memory. It is an open invitation to reflect on a shared history, a shared destiny, and an ongoing struggle for survival and dignity.