Medievalists for Palestine
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mforpalestine.bsky.social
Medievalists for Palestine
@mforpalestine.bsky.social
660 followers 70 following 73 posts
MfP is a non-hierarchical, leaderless collection of early period scholars advocating for Palestinian liberation.

For more info: https://linktr.ee/mfp_lestine
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mforpalestine.bsky.social
Kanafani challenges the claim that religious hatred and sectarianism drive what has been erroneously called "the Israel-Palestine Conflict," demonstrating the role of economic conditions under the British Mandate as well as Zionist settlement as an attack on Palestinian society.
Background of a keffiyeh pattern. At the center top: From the Publisher. At the center bottom: A radical analysis of Palestinian resistance from one of their most influential voices. Revisit Ghassan Kanafani's pivotal text in a new English edition. Kanafani presents a concrete analysis of the mass uprisings against Zionism, and for independence from British colonialism, taking place in Palestine from 1936 to 1939. With a methodical yet illustrative approach, Kanafani examines the economic, political, social, and cultural conditions that contributed to, and limited, the anti-colonial struggle in this period.
November 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
The next book in our series is Ghassan Kanafani's The Revolution of 1936-1939 in Palestine. In this work, the Palestinian political thinker Kanafani analyzes the Palestinian revolt against Zionism and British imperialism through a Marxist-Leninist framework.
Background of a keffiyeh pattern. On the center top, MfP Recommended Read. On the center bottom the book cover of Ghassan Kanafani's The Revolution of 1936-1930 in Palestine. Background of a keffiyeh pattern. On the left, the book cover of Ghassan Kanafani's The Revolution of 1936-1930 in Palestine. On the right, bullet points that say: -Examines the economic, political, and social landscape of British Mandatory Palestine in the decade before the Nakba. -Illustrates the roles of British imperialism and Zionism in disrupting Palestinian Society. -Challenges the narrative of an "Israel-Palestine Conflict" by presenting Zionism as a settler-colonial movement. -Places the Arab Revolt in its proper political context to challenge the myth that it was driven by antisemitism.
November 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Palestine's history has evolved alongside the many peoples who lived in, moved through, and visited Palestine.
Background of a keffiyeh pattern. On the center top, From the Publisher. On the center bottom it reads: This rich and magisterial work traces Palestine's millennia-old heritage, uncovering cultures and societies of astounding depth and complexity that stretch back to the very beginnings of history. Starting with the earliest references in Egyptian and Assyrian texts, Nur Masalha explores how Palestine and its Palestinian identity have evolved over thousands of years, from the Bronze Age to the present day. Drawing on a rich body of sources and the latest archeological evidence, Masalha shows how Palestine's multicultural past has been distorted and mythologized by Biblical lore and the Israel-Palestinian conflict. In the process, Masalha reveals that the concept of Palestine, contrary to accepted belief, is not a modern invention to one constructed in opposition to Israel, but rooted firmly in ancient past. Palestine represents the authoritative account of the country's history.
November 21, 2025 at 5:12 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
The next book in our "MfP Recommended Read" series is Nur Masalha's Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History. This fast-paced history moves from the bronze age to the present to demonstrate that Palestine has always existed.
Background of a keffiyeh pattern. On the center top, MfP Recommended Read. On the center middle, book cover of Nur Masalha's Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History Background of a keffiyeh pattern. On the top left, MfP Recommended Read. On the bottom left, book cover of Nur Masalha's Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History. On the right five bullet points: 1. Provides overview of Palestinian history from the Bronze Age to the Present. 2. Demonstrates that Palestine has a long history that predates modern nationalisms. 3. Challenges the Zionist narrative that Palestine never existed or is a Western invention. 4. The chapter on Medieval Palestine are perfect for introducing Palestine to the Medieval Studies classroom. 5. Contrasts Palestine's pluralistic history to Zionism as a settler-colonial movement.
November 21, 2025 at 5:12 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Said was a Palestinian-American literary critic and political activist. Born in Jerusalem, Palestine, in 1935, he was a Professor of Comparative Literature at Columbia University and, from 1977 to 1991, a member of the Palestinian National Council. He died in 2003. (2/3)
Background of a keffiyeh pattern with writing in the center that says: From the Publisher: With the rigorous scholarship he brought to his influential Orientalism and an exile's passion (he is Palestinian by birth), Edward W. Said traces the fatal collision between two peoples in the Middle East and its repercussions in the lives of both occupier and the occupied-as well as in the conscience of the West, He has updated this landmark work to portray the changed status of Palestine and its people in light of such developments as the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the intifada the Gulf War, and the ongoing Middle East peace initiative. For anyone interested in the region and its future, The Question of Palestine remains the most useful and authoritative account available.
November 11, 2025 at 1:51 AM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
The 1st book in our "Recommended Read" series is Edward W. Said's The Question of Palestine. Written in 1979 and often considered a part of a trilogy alongside Orientalism and Covering Islam, it was one of the first major books to introduce the historical context of Zionism (1/3)
Background of a keffiyeh pattern with an image of the book cover of Edward W. Said's The Question of Palestine. Background of a keffiyeh pattern. On the left side an image of the book cover of Edward W. Said's The Question of Palestine. On the right side 4 bullets points that say: 1. One of the first major works in English written by a leading Palestinian American intellectual. 2. Analyzes Palestinian displacement, resistance, and self-determination. 3. Explains the nature of Zionism "from the standpoint of its victims." 4. Examines the relationship between Zionism, Western liberalism, and imperialism.
November 11, 2025 at 1:51 AM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Let's build pressure AND community. Let's start with stickers!

Make your own Free Palestine stickers, stick them everywhere, give them out, show the people around you that they're not alone in caring.

www.youtube.com/shorts/0QNtR...

welcometonanas.com/how-to-make-...
image of a wooden floor board with home made stickers. The stickers include the flag of Palestine with the words Free Palestine, a half circle watermelon, a circle with half the circle as the Palestinian flag and half the circle a watermelon.
November 5, 2025 at 1:21 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Please help a Black trans comrade who has been targeted and fined for Pro-Palestine speech

chuffed.org/project/1455...
August 22, 2025 at 10:39 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Liberal Zionists can't read the room, can they? Of course there are medievalists involved... As their colleagues (us!) call for an academic boycott of Israeli institutions, they're more than happy to be platformed by them. You can't "both-sides" your way out of a genocide.
August 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
It's that time of year! On top of these benefits, your membership dues likely go toward the Medieval Academy of America's investments in industries of death and destruction. DISCLOSE, DIVEST, WE WILL NOT STOP! WE WILL NOT REST!
Screenshot from the Medieval Academy of America's email to members reminding them to renew their membership by June 30
June 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
@medievalacademy.bsky.social only cares about freedom of speech in a performative way. Look at this letter they sent out to their membership about freedom of speech in higher education. Yet, they called the cops on an autonomous group-we don't claim this action!-peacefully protesting the MAA.
Screenshot from a letter that the Medieval Academy of America sent to the President and Provost of Columbia University and shared with its membership. The letter claims that the MAA "decr[ies] the extreme punitive actions taken by Columbia University" and that it cannot condone violating students' and instructors' freedom of speech and civic rights" among other things. There is text added by Medievalists for Palestine above the screenshot that reads "Not the MAA virtue signaling about repressing political speech ..." The image shows people on Harvard University's campus and a police car with a cop inside. There is text added that continues the previous image's critique: "...when they literally called the cops on pro-Palestine expression at their own meeting." The image highlights one of the protest banners hanging outside of window of a building on Harvard's campus. The banner reads "MAA/Harvard Divest Now!" The text added around the image reads "Fuck your strongly worded letter" and "Divest now."
April 15, 2025 at 12:43 AM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Israel has killed 500 Gazans since Wednesday. If you're doing business as usual, you're part of the problem.

It's not too late to walk out of the #MAA2025, disrupt business as usual, demand divestment, join us for OAMS, organize for Palestine.

@medievalacademy.bsky.social DIVEST NOW

#MedievalSky
Image of the door of a Harvard building with a big banner--white background, red and black words--that reads Hey Hey Hey MAA / How many Gazans / Did U Kill 2Day?
March 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
If your first response is to call the cops, you're on the wrong side. Period.

We also heard of some ruckus outside the plenary. Wonder what actions might be planed for the last day of the conference?

#MAA2025 #MedievalSky #AcademicSky #MedievalAcademy
Picture of two women on their phones with their faces covered. In the middle of the image says: Here two members of Harvard's event staff calling the police after an autonomous group disrupted the MAA conference with banners and other activities. Their disproportionate response to this autonomous action shows how frightened they are and how powerful the movement for Palestinian liberation really is. The student intifada will not rest until Palestine is free! No peace until divestment.
March 22, 2025 at 12:10 AM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Shout out to these anonymous folks who took action to remind conference attendees that their conference fees support genocide!

The MAA shamefully decided to respond by calling the cops. Go figure --- a genocidal institution also loves the police!
March 20, 2025 at 8:14 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Hey, hey, MAA, how many Gazans did you kill today?

An autonomous group disrupted the Medieval Academy of America's conference at Harvard University today, dropping multiple banners and redecorating conference signage.

#MedievalSky #AcademicSky
Six images of various banners protesting the Medieval Academy of America's support of genocide. The last image features a cop car, highlighting how the Academy called upon the police as a disproportionate response to this autonomous action.
March 20, 2025 at 8:14 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Hey #MedievalSky, over a 100 of your peers have registered to the Open Access Medieval Studies conference. You can join too!

This is the time to come and gather and be in solidarity. Take action!

To view the schedule and register go: linktr.ee/mfp_lestine
Gray background with three boxes that simulate abstract paintings with the colors of the Palestinian Flag OPEN ACCESS MEDIEVAL STUDIES March 20-22 Medievalists for Palestine Conference Registration Open To view the schedule and register, visit: linktr.ee/mfp_lestine
March 18, 2025 at 4:49 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
One more day, one more beautiful OAMS poster #MedievalSky and #AcademicSky

The OAMS conference is coming up (March 20-22)! Let's envision a different academia. One that builds communities of trust to take action together!

Registration and more goodies available at linktr.ee/mfp_lestine
Rights Side: Palestinian Flag from ceiling to floor Left side: Medievalists for Palestine OPEN ACCESS MEDEIVAL STUDIES CONFERENCE March 20-22 Registration Open To view the schedule and register, visit: Linktr.ee/mfp_lestine
March 13, 2025 at 10:23 AM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Hey #MedievalSky and #AcademicSky

The Open Access Medieval Studies conference is coming up (March 20-22)! Come learn with us as we envision a different academia. One that builds communities of trust to take action together!

Registration and more goodies available at linktr.ee/mfp_lestine
Left side: OPEN ACCESS MEDIEVAL STUDIES CONFERENCE MARCJ 20-22 Registration now open The Open Access Medieval Studies (OAMS) conference, hosted by Medievalists for Palestine, aims to facilitate the critical and explicit intersection of Palestinian liberation and medieval studies. The theme of this year's OAMS conference is liberation. To view the schedule and register, visit: linktr.ee/mfp_lestine Right side: Beautiful image of squiggly green lines that end in a red half circle that evokes the Palestinian flag.
March 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Hey #MedievalSky and #AcademicSky

The Open Access Medieval Studies conference is coming up (March 20-22)! Come learn with us as we envision a different academia. One that builds communities of trust to take action together!

Registration and more goodies available at linktr.ee/mfp_lestine
Right side: March 20 - 22 The Open Access Medieval Studies (OAMS) conference, hosted by Medievalists for Palestine, aims to facilitate the critical and explicit intersection of Palestinian liberation and medieval studies. The theme of this year's conference is liberation. Registration now open. To view schedule and register, visit: https://linktr.ee/mfp_lestine Top left: in red with black letters, Open Access Medieval Studies Conference Upper top right corner: Medievalists for Palestine logo with watermelon Lower left: Palestinian Flag
March 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
#MedievalSky OAMS is happening!

And we have some beautiful graphics! So watch us unveil a new one every day this week!

Registration, Program, and more MfP goodies available here:
linktr.ee/mfp_lestine
Black background with words on left / Palestinian flag on right Medievalists for Palestine Open Medieval Studies Conference, March 20-22, Registration Open, To view the program and register for the conference, visit linktr.ee/mfp_lestine
March 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Medievalists of Color is putting on some great workshops! Please Register:

forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
A poster with purple and green bubbles announcing Hidden Curriculum Workshops. Image contains the following information and a QR code to register: First half: Medievalists of Color Hidden Curriculum Workshops Medievalists of Color, an organization that represents the power of difference, is opening its yearly Hidden Curriculum Series to all interested participants! As more and more academic organizations demonstrate a complete lack of care for their constituencies, academics must find new ways to create community, expose the hidden curriculum, and creatively share their research to each other. Following the spirit of joy, solidarity, and liberation of Medievalists for Palestine (MfP), Medievalists of Color are opening up their hidden curriculum workshops to complement MfP’s fully online Open Access Medieval Studies conference (OAMS; March 20-22). Our aims are to demonstrate that a different future is possible, and we do not need to rely on white supremacist organizations to grow, share, and find academic joy! Registration is Free Second Half: Schedule Teaching Early Global Literatures and Cultures Q&A with Geraldine Heng Geraldine Heng Tuesday 11 March ••• 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM Pacific) Register here Grant Writing for Mid-Career Scholars Roger Martinez Wednesday 12 March ••• 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM Pacific) Register here Teaching World Literature a Restorative Justice Approach Nahir I. Otaño Gracia ••• Averie Basch Thursday 13 March ••• 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM Pacific) Register here Grant Writing for Graduate Students and Early-Career Scholars Nicole Lopez-Jantzen Friday 14 March ••• 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM Pacific) Register here QR Code to Register
February 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
MAA: where you can present next to actual génocidaires!
Though I realize that replying to this letter is surely futile, silence can be interpreted as implicit agreement. At the same time, I understand a lengthy response would serve no useful purpose. Thus, I will just note that there has not been and is no "Palestinian genocide" (i.e. an attempt to destroy an entire people) as is obvious from the increase in the Palestinian population of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank from 1.4 million to 7.3 million since 1947. (Source: The Middle East Monitor). The claim of genocide is not only false--it is an anti-Semitic slander akin to the medieval blood libel. As to mu feelings about the MAA, I am and remain proud to be a long standing member of the Medieval Academy of America, and I will be honored to present my paper at the 100th anniversary in Boston this March.
January 23, 2025 at 1:23 AM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
As Israel violates the most recent ceasefire, THE MAA HAS FAILED TO AGREE TO DIVEST. It’s time for their membership to show that it refuses to be part of an organization that maintains ties to genocide. BOYCOTT THE MAA AND WITHDRAW FROM THE CENTENNIAL MEETING!
Aljazeeraenglish Palestinian child killed by Israeli sniper despite ceasefire Live: Israeli settlers attach West Bank villages as aid trucks reach Gaza By Lyndal Rowlands 21 Jan 2025 The Palestinian Red Crescent said it treated at least 12 people for injuries after Israeli settlers rampaged through two occupied West Bank villages north of Jerusalem, where Palestinian homes, a nursery and a local business were burned. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reports that Israeli forces supported settlers during the overnight violence and dozens of Palestinians have been arrested in military raids in the West Bank, hours after Israel released 90 Palestinians as part of Gaza ceasefire deal.
January 21, 2025 at 9:04 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
On Dec 16th, we sent the MAA our open letter & asked them to forward it to their membership. The letter states that we expect a response with their decision regarding divestment by Jan 10 & a draft of their divestment plan by Feb 1.

Here's their Jan 11th response.
Dear Medievalists for Palestine, We are writing to acknowledge receipt of your email of Monday, December 16. Later on the same day, the MAA Governance discussed your message. More recently, we communicated with the MAA membership on the subject. Sincerely, The MAA Governance
January 14, 2025 at 5:11 PM
mforpalestine.bsky.social
Hold the MAA accountable. Until they can commit to divesting from war crimes, withhold your registration!
As the MAA opens registration for their centennial meeting, [[image of a message by the MAA saying that registration is now open]] THEY HAVE STILL NOT ANSWERED OUR CALL FOR DIVESTMENT. In our open letter last month, we stated: "Medievalists for Palestine expects a response with [the MAA's] decision regarding divestment by January 10 and a draft of its strategic plan for divestment by February 1." With the January 10 deadline approaching, we call on prospective attendees to HOLD OFF ON REGISTERING FOR THE CENTENNIAL MEETING! Medievalists of Color has already asked medievalists to take a stand: [[insert of the last section of the letter by medievalist of color]] As Israel continues to M*rder, starve, and maim Palestinians every day, we must hold institutions accountable for their complicity. HOLD THE MAA ACCOUNTABLE. WITHHOLD FROM REGISTRATION UNTIL THEY ANSWER "YES" TO DIVESTMENT!
January 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM