TEHRAN –Three plays by Palestinian author and politician Ghassan Kanafani have recently been published in Persian in a collection by Jahan-e Ketab Publications in Tehran.

Translated by Faruq Najmeddin, the collection entitled “Plays” includes “The Door”, “The Hat and the Prophet” and “A Bridge to Eternity”. 

Kanafani (1936-1972), is best known for his novels and literary articles but he also wrote three plays only one of which was published during his lifetime. “The Door” was published in 1964 and was overshadowed by the popularity of his novel "Men in the Sun" and went unnoticed.

Another play, “The Hat and the Prophet” was written in 1967 and was published in a Palestinian magazine in April 1973, just a short time after Kanafani's assassination by Israeli intelligence forces. “A Bridge to Eternity” is also a radio play written for broadcasting in one of the Arab countries, but Kanafani did not make any effort to publish it.

Kanafani's characters always find themselves at a crossroads, either yielding to their circumstances or rebelling against them at a cost. Critics say that his heroes are an embodiment of the Palestinian identity and illustrate the intellectual concerns of Palestinians.

Born in Acre, Palestine, Kanafani became a refugee in 1948 when his family was forced to leave their home during the Nakba. Kanafani became one of the most important writers of the Palestinian resistance movement, using his writing to expose the injustices of Israeli occupation and to fight for the right of Palestinians to self-determination.

Kanafani's works include novels, short stories, and plays, many of which focus on the experiences of Palestinian refugees and the struggle for Palestinian liberation. His most famous novel, "Men in the Sun," tells the story of three Palestinian refugees who try to cross the Iraqi border in search of work but end up dying in the desert. The novel has been translated into many languages and has become a classic of Arabic literature.

Kanafani's other notable works include the short story collection "Palestine's Children," which tells the stories of Palestinian children living in refugee camps, and the novel “Return to Haifa” which deals with the theme of Palestinian identity and the struggle to return to Palestine. His works are characterized by a deep empathy for his people and a commitment to their cause.

As a political activist, Kanafani was a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and worked as an editor for the group's newspaper, Al-Hadaf. He was known for his powerful speeches and his ability to inspire others to join the struggle for Palestinian freedom.

Unfortunately, Kanafani's life was cut short when he was assassinated by the Israeli Mossad in Beirut in 1972. However, his legacy lives on through his powerful and inspiring works and his commitment to the cause of Palestinian liberation.

SAB/