If I Must Die : Poetry and Prose

If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose is a haunting and heartfelt collection by the late Palestinian poet and professor Refaat Alareer, compiled posthumously after his tragic death in an Israeli airstrike in 2023. The book brings together his poignant poetry, personal essays, and reflections on life in Gaza, weaving together themes of resilience, humanity, and the enduring power of art amid unimaginable suffering. Alareer’s writing captures the daily struggles of Palestinians under occupation, from the terror of airstrikes to the quiet acts of kindness that sustain communities.

The anthology includes his globally celebrated poem If I Must Die , which became a rallying cry for hope and resistance after his passing. Through vivid storytelling, Alareer shares intimate moments—teaching Shakespeare to students in Gaza, mourning family members lost to violence, and finding beauty in fleeting moments of normalcy. His prose and poetry blend raw emotion with sharp political insight, offering a window into the Palestinian experience while challenging readers to confront the realities of oppression and erasure.

Alareer’s voice, preserved here by compiler Yousef M. Aljamal and framed by a foreword from Susan Abulhawa, refuses to be silenced. The collection stands as both a tribute to his legacy and a testament to the unyielding spirit of Gaza’s people. From journal entries documenting narrow escapes from death to essays on literature and identity, the book is a mosaic of grief, defiance, and unshakable hope.

The work also highlights Alareer’s role as an educator and activist, emphasizing his belief in the transformative power of education and storytelling. Even in the face of genocide, his writing radiates a stubborn commitment to life, urging readers to bear witness and remember. This anthology is not just a book—it is an act of resistance, a historical document, and a bridge between Gaza and the world.