Edward Said & Salman Rushdie [1986]

Video Description

In 1986, Edward Said and Salman Rushdie sat down to talk at the ICA. Professor Said launched his book After the Last Sky: Palestinian Lives at the ICA and discussed his and the collective Palestinian identity, exile, return and the right to return. Much of what they discussed played out the following year, during the First Intifada. Reshared on Monday 15 May 2023. Time stamps: 00:00 - Intro by Salman Rushdie 03:13 - Rushdie reads 'The Earth is closing on us' 04:34 - The first part of Said's book 05:46 - The Palestinian experience 07:49 - Part two of Said's book; inside/outside 08:45 - Inside Palestinian-ness 09:28 - Cult of physical strength; a letter 11:02 - Invasions of the interior 12:15 - Zionism and historical context 12:50 - Part three: Exile 13:25 - What happens to landless people? 17:00 - Palestinians in New York 19:12 - Ability to publish work in US 20:21 - Treated like a diplomat of terrorism 22:25 - To be a NYC Palestinian in Palestine 24:28 -What is/is there a Palestinian nation 26:44 - Codes of being 34:30 - Tell the story from the beginning, again 37:14 - The unheard voices of Palestinian women 43:13 - Anti-zionism not antisemitism 48:55 - To be a non-muslim Palestinian 52:06 - After The Last Sky, turning inward 54:54 - Audience questions begin 55:37 - 'If you speak to Jewish audiences what do you tell them about the future of Jews in Palestine?' 1:01:23 - 'Have you developed a system to succinctly discuss this topic when asked?' 1:04:03 - 'Justice/morality/where/who is the court that hears it?' 1:08:28 - 'Less people are recognising this grievance, how can your idea of communication change this?' 1:11:07 - The fate of Arafat and Palestinians 1:12:49 - 'Self determination or, moreover, عودة (eawda, return)'