Stolen Pieces of Palestine: Archival Responsibility in the Case of Displaced Archives

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has led to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians from their homes, leaving behind furniture, books, documents, and other items relating to their cultural heritage. These items were captured by the invading Israeli forces and sealed away in their archives and libraries, where they remain to this day. Since this first phase of pillaging in 1948, Israel has continued to sequester away pieces of Palestinian cultural heritage which they collected during the Six-Day War and its repeated invasions into the Gaza Strip. This article examines the ways in which these items, particularly records and books, were seized by Israel and integrated into its archival infrastructure. Through acquisition, arrangement, description, and access, Israel and its archivists hold the power to create, transform, or destroy what remains of Palestine’s documentary heritage.

Palestine (Permanent Observer to the UN)