Rejected accusations of antisemitism:
‘I am not a lover of Israel, of course.
I have no reason to be.
But I don’t hate Jews.’
Wrote in Arabic,
also spoke Hebrew
(among other languages).
Four volumes of his poetry
translated into Hebrew
including Bed of a Stranger.
Israeli education minister, Yossi Sarid:
‘Darwish should be included
in the Israeli high school curriculum.’
Prime Minister Ehud Barak:
‘Israel is not ready.’ (2000)
It had more to do with
politics than poetry, some say.
With his death,
debate wound re-opened.
Still banned (technically may be studied).
Described Hebrew
a language of love,
considered himself part of the Jewish
civilization in Palestine,
hoped for reconciliation.