A Month by the Sea: Encounters in Gaza

I visited Gaza dozens of times in 1980 and 1981 when I lived and worked at kibbutz Be'eri in Israel close to the Gaza Strip. Either on my own or with other English and Dutch volunteers we would climb through a hole in the fence and walk to the sea. We were always made very welcome except when we were occasionally stoned by little kids probably thinking we were Israeli. It is saddening to see the mess that is now Gaza and the seemingly intractable problems. This book appealed to me on this basis and I'm glad I've read it. It often makes for uncomfortable reading. The descriptions of the hardship and the behaviour of some members of the IDF in particular. The book contains as much information about the history of Israel/Palestine as anything else, and I know this is important but it forms a huge part of the book. I expected much more of the day to day details of life in Gaza. Sadly the writing is far too emotive in parts and the author is clearly fiercely anti-Zionist and anti-IDF, and there are instances of this which appear to be simply thrown into the book with little relevance to the story other than to reinforce the writer's own beliefs. The resolution of a difficult problem such as this is not made any easier if judgments become fogged with hatred. However, this book is essential reading if you wish to understand what's going on, but try to understand both viewpoints. Israel exists,fact, and will defend itself to the death. It cannot lose a war. If Israel's enemies put down their weapons there would be peace; if Israel did it, there'd be no more Israel. This is the stark reality. I lived among secular Israelis who just wanted a quiet life and were like every one else in the world, and I've also had to run for the air raid shelters many times when the kibbutz was attacked from over the border. Hopefully a lasting peace will one day be found.Jonathan Nicholas, author of'Kibbutz Virgin'

A Month by the Sea - Dervla MurphyShadowing Dervla Murphy around the war torn streets and bullet strewn alley ways of Gaza provides a fascinating insight into the socio-political nuances that play out in this small war torn and overpopulated strip of land.Dervla provides a deep knowledge and understanding of the long and bitter struggle between Israel and Palestine. Her account also reveals a deep mistrust and disunity between the two governing parties of the Palestinian territories: Hamas in Gaza, and Fatah in the West Bank. This disturbing subtext is yet another reason why this conflict has rumbled on without finding a peaceful solution.Israel denies that they are the protagonist in this conflict, citing the Palestinians as terrorists who launch rockets and mortars in to Israel deliberately endangering the lives of their civilians. Retaliating to this provocation is one thing but the severity of the reprisals metered out against the Gazan population has resulted in Israel being accused of both war and humanitarian crimes. Dervla states that during the 10 year period 2001-2011, rocket and mortar fire killed 23 people in Israel. However, during only 22 days of Israel's `Cast Lead' assault on Gaza, over 1400 Gazan's died, many of whom were women and children. The disproportional fatalities and injuries being sustained by the Palestinians, aided by the growing number Palestinian solidarity groups and also a greater international awareness of the events that have been occurring in the Holy Land, are all increasing the pressure on Israel to release the Palestinian territories from their vice like grip.Dervla offers forthright opinions of individuals and the actions taken by both sides. Her writings come to life when she meets some of the Gazan victims of the conflict. She is welcomed and treated with hospitality by the families who reveal the tragedies of their lost ones and the fear and uncertainty of living in a conflict zone. And yet the overriding impression we get of the non-combatant Palestinian residents, is one of indomitable courage and a belief that things will eventually work out for them.

A am a great fan of Dervla Murphy and had eagerly awaited this, her latest book.However I must say I was disappointed. I know Dervla has always tended to be quite open about her political views, and she is clearly very knowledgeable, however in this case she was so 100 per cent biased against Israel that I felt very uncomfortable reading this.For instance, it would have been interesting to read of the four months she spent in Israel before she went to Palestine (for one month). But she makes little mention at all of this, or of any of the people she met there or conversations she had, which would have made for interesting reading. What made he political books (for example the 1980s 'Tales of 2 cities' about race problems in inner cities) so fascinating were the way she bravely looked at ALL sides of a problem, reporting different views and then mulling about the complexities of these issues.In this book however, her sheer hatred of the Israelis (regularly describing them as Nazi like, and agreeing with Palestinians who say Israelis have an evil look in their eyes) as well as implying their country should not exist, made me think that she has been swayed by only one opinion, and has made no effort at all to put both sides across.

As a woman due to visit Gaza soon I was interested in reading about others (preferably female) experience.What a wonderful writer Dervla Murphy is and how easy this book was to read.From her previous experiences in the West Bank and Israel, Dervla was able to draw together a complicated situation & people living their precarious lives under occupation with more than a little cynicism towards all sides in what is an honest and open account of life in the Gaza strip.She dots her experiences with facts & figures to help one understand the whys & hows of today's reality.I would highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to learn a little more of life in Gaza as it is, rather than how various 'authorities' would have us see it.