His personal observations on life in Jerusalem, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are one of the main focuses of this book, with the broad themes of political conflict, identity and belonging making the memoir deep and interesting
By Nisar Ahmad
Crossing Mandelbaum Gate: Coming of Age Between the Arabs and Israelis, 1956-1978, is an autobiographical journey penned by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Kai Bird, chronicling his experiences of childhood and youth. These were difficult times for the region, and one can trace the genocide in Gaza, and the killings in Lebanon, enacted routinely by Israel since October, 2023, from these times. The seeds of vicious violence and brutal occupation was sowed during this time.
Bird grew up in the turbulent times of the Middle-East, particularly during the Arab-Israeli conflict. His life revolved around the Mandelbaum Gate near Jerusalem during the years, 1956 to 1978.
He brings to the world, different landscapes of Arab and Israeli life in three different chapters through his memories and experiences, while growing up as the son of an American diplomat stationed in the volatile regions of the Middle-East. His personal observations on life in Jerusalem, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are one of the main focuses of this book, with the broad themes of political conflict, identity and belonging making the memoir deep and interesting.
Bird’s contribution to the Arab-Israeli conflict makes this book a must read for journalists, students and scholars interested in Middle-Eastern studies.
The book skillfully interweaves the author’s personal experiences and historical events. It helps readers understand the politics and social fabric of a time when tension between the Arabs and Israel was at its peak.
Bird refers to the Mandelbaum Gate, a checkpoint located in Jerusalem. This Gate is the crossing point between Israel and Jordan, where present-day pilgrims to the holy places meet the modern political divide. It also marked the old division between East and West Jerusalem before the Six Day War of 1967.
The author reflects on childhood memories, when he lived in the American Colony in the divided city, across the gate. In his book, Bird provides a first-hand account of the daily lives of Arabs and Israelis.
In other words, the book can be defined as a novel of true events, chronicling the everyday reality of the place. It also presents Bird’s understanding of the political turmoil and historical developments of the period, and is an attempt to learn from his experiences. He manages to create an accurate understanding of the contradictory politics and historical events in the affected region.
The memoir covers historical events such as the 1956 Suez Crisis, the 1967 Six Day War and the diplomatic tension surrounding them. Bird also interweaves personal vignettes with biographical portraits of influential individuals such as Palestinian intellectual George Antonius and British General Sir Evelyn Barker.
His thoughts about marrying a Jewish woman and learning about her family’s experience as Holocaust survivors add another layer of personal identity to the narrative. The political and personal identities of the period intertwine to show that people’s loyalties and affiliations are complex and constantly changing in such times of conflict.
The story reflects a privileged perspective. The author belonged to an influential American family and his father was a diplomat. This gave him a safe and outside perspective on the conflict.
This approach, thereby, does not delve deeply enough into fundamental aspects of the conflict, such as the collective and continuing suffering of the Palestinian masses. This sometimes makes the story feel incomplete or superficial.
The book explains the Arab-Israeli conflict through personal and emotional experiences, which sometimes downplays the depth and complexities of historical events. This makes his personal experience more authentic, but dilutes complex issues in political and historical terms.
For example, important topics such as the 1967 war and mass displacement of Palestinians are given limited coverage. Bird’s western perspective does not adequately reflect the real balance of power between Israel, backed by the US and Britain, and the divided Arab world. This attempt to create a certain kind of balance blurs some issues, thereby reducing the depth of the conflict.
The Palestinian experience is not adequately represented in the book. He attempts to view the conflict from its perspective, but the stories of those most affected by the conflict, such as Palestinian refugees and the forcibly displaced, are not centered. The book, thereby, presents an incomplete view.
However, Crossing Mandelbaum Gate: Coming of Age Between the Arabs and Israelis, 1956-1978, provides a better understanding of the Arab-Israeli conflict through an individual experience of a critical period. This memoir can be fascinating for readers who are unaware of the hidden realities of the region, and who are looking for the humane side of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The book can trigger a nuanced discussion that can compel readers to consider the complexity of the issue beyond commonly accepted narratives. This is a great read for anyone interested in Middle-East politics and will also be of interest to anyone looking at the intersection of personal identity and political history.
Dr Nissar Ahmed is Senior Editor, Digital Forensics Research and Analytics Centre (DFRAC), a fact-checkers organization based in Delhi.
Nicely articulated. I’m going to buy this book for a better understanding of the Palestine and Israel dispute.