The United States and European Union have designated Hamas a terrorist organization; and its militant arm runs the Gaza Strip. But some may not realize the group has a political office operating in Doha, Qatar – established in 2012 as a means to open a channel of communication. Qatar also invited the Taliban to open its political office in 2013 … Read More
A Family Feast… Hospitality in Gaza
Those who are frequent readers of this blog know my most favorite thing… the holiest of grails… is to be invited into someone’s home to share a meal with them. Eating in someone’s house, I often get served dishes that I won’t find in local restaurants, and I invariably pick up on the little customs and habits of eating in … Read More
Farming Under Fire in Gaza
In the shadow of an Israeli watchtower, Marwan al Ghoul has been quietly, carefully coaxing a farm out of the sand. You wouldn’t imagine that in Gaza, just meters away from the Israeli border and a stone’s throw from the ocean, fruits and vegetables would be thriving… yet, here they are. With one handful of Texas onion seeds, Marwan has … Read More
In the Land of Mezze, Matoug is King
Gaza is full of Middle Eastern cafes slinging hummus, tabouleh, and grilled meats. In fact, I have yet to see a restaurant here that is NOT full of mezze and kebabs. No Tequila Sushi Boom Boom in these parts. With so many restaurants serving so many of the same things, it comes down to the freshness of ingredients, the breadth … Read More
In Gaza, When the Fire Ceases, the Bakery Reopens
For weeks, Gaza City has been a ghost town, as people shuttered businesses, locked their doors and took shelter. But the recent ceasefire has felt different to residents here — they believe this one will hold — and beginning Tuesday, intrepid owners tentatively reopened their cafes, markets began to bustle, and city dwellers emerged to do their shopping and return … Read More