Elias Khoury, a prominent Lebanese writer who gained recognition for his portrayal of Palestinian experiences and efforts to bridge Arab-Israeli divides, passed away on September 15, 2023, in Beirut at the age of 76. His death was announced by Al-Quds Al-Arabi, a pan-Arab newspaper where Khoury contributed.
Born on July 12, 1948, just weeks after Israel's declaration of statehood, Khoury's life and work were deeply intertwined with the region's complex history. His literary career spanned over five decades, during which he produced more than a dozen novels that were translated into multiple languages, including Hebrew.
Khoury's most acclaimed work, "Gate of the Sun" (1998), delves into the Palestinian experience of the Nakba, the mass displacement that occurred during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The novel, set in the Shatila refugee camp near Beirut, weaves together stories of Palestinian life, love, and loss over five decades.
Khoury's approach to storytelling was unique in its attempt to understand and portray both Palestinian and Israeli perspectives. He emphasized the importance of seeing the Israeli experience through the lens of the Holocaust's lasting impact. This nuanced view earned him respect from both Arab and Israeli readers, although his stance on the 2023 Hamas attacks sparked controversy.
Throughout his career, Khoury was deeply involved in Palestinian causes. As an 18-year-old student, he witnessed the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War, which resulted in Israel gaining control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This experience led him to join Fatah, a major Palestinian political faction, in 1970.
Khoury's literary works often reflected the turbulent history of the region. His 1977 novel "Little Mountain" explored the Lebanese Civil War from multiple perspectives, while "White Masks" (1981) blended journalism with fiction to investigate a murder during the conflict.
"The nakba began in 1948 and it is still going on."
In addition to his literary pursuits, Khoury was an accomplished academic and journalist. He held teaching positions at various institutions, including New York University, and co-edited the PLO-backed Palestinian Affairs magazine with renowned Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.
Khoury's contributions to literature and his efforts to humanize the Arab-Israeli conflict earned him numerous accolades, including the Lettre Ulysses Award in 2006. His work continues to inspire, as evidenced by Palestinian activists naming a 2013 protest camp in the West Bank after his novel "Gate of the Sun."
Elias Khoury's legacy as a writer who illuminated Palestinian struggles while challenging stereotypes on both sides of the conflict will undoubtedly endure, continuing to shape discussions on Middle Eastern literature and politics for years to come.