Why this Palestinian poet still sparks controversy in Israel
For many Israelis, Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish is the symbol of Palestinian resistance and struggle, who, even after his death, keeps raising strong emotions among Israelis across the political spectrum.
March 13 marked the 75th anniversary of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, who passed away on Aug. 9, 2008. A special event was held in Tel Aviv to commemorate the anniversary with the participation of both Jewish and Arab musicians, poets and actors.
Darwish, who published dozens of poetry books, all revolving around the central motif of Palestinian yearning for independence, is well-known in some sectors of Israeli society — even more so than many of his Israeli counterparts. His efforts as a public figure tower over his endeavors as a poet. He was a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) activist and was seen as a major political symbol. In the eyes of many, he represented the moderate Palestinian voice — the one that Israelis called a "partner" to the dialogue — before allegedly adopting a radical stance. In 1988, the translation into Hebrew of his poem "Passers between the passing words" was published, calling on the Israelis to leave the country and "Live wherever you like." Following the publication, Darwish became an emotionally charged symbol, on both sides of the Israeli political map.
"Darwish is one of the first five names that come to mind when thinking of what is 'Palestinian,'" Israeli poet Ronny Someck told Al-Monitor. "In this sense, I salute the Palestinians; they have put poetry at the forefront. I wish the word 'Israel' would evoke similar associations of, let's say, [Israeli poet Nathan] Alterman, alongside names such as [first Israeli Prime Minister David] Ben-Gurion or [former Minister] Moshe Dayan."
When late Yossi Sarid, in his capacity as education minister, sought to include Darwish's poems in the Israeli high school curriculum in 2000, it caused a furor across the country. The issue was discussed in the Knesset, and ultra-Orthodox Shas Knesset member Yair Peretz charged that Sarid sought to eradicate the heritage of Israel. Yitzhak Gagula, another Shas Knesset member, went as far as to label Darwish "an archenemy." It was not until 2012 that Darwish's poems were introduced to the curriculum in Arab schools in Israel.
