Ishmael’s Oranges by Claire Hajaj is a novel about the conflict between Palestinians and Jews for the land that is now Israel. beginning in 1948 Jaffa, moving to London, Beirut and back again, the novel follows the life of Salim, a displaced Palestinian boy who falls in love with Jude, a Jewish girl he meets in London.

They try desperately to overcome their families prejudices and hatred of each others culture. They commit to raising children who are the best of both worlds, but it proves more difficult than either can imagine.

This is a beautifully written and illuminating novel. Hajaj, sharing both Palestinian and Jewish heritage, sheds light on a very difficult conflict that has been going on for decades. There is great sadness in the unbroken cycle of hatred that travels down through families and poisons children, even in these more modern times.

A recommended read.