Twice Uprooted: Help Bring This Palestinian-Ukrainian Memoir to the World
In a moment when war and displacement dominate global headlines, a personal story from Nottingham offers a rare window into what it means to survive—not once, but twice.
Adeeb Shaheen’s forthcoming memoir It is War! (Or The Strong Are Shameless) captures the convergence of two national traumas: the Israeli occupation of Palestine and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Having lived through both, Shaheen offers a perspective few can claim.
Born in Palestine in 1958, Adeeb’s childhood unfolded under military occupation. His early years were shaped by curfews, arrests, and the weight of daily uncertainty. Eventually, seeking stability and education, he moved to eastern Ukraine. There, he built a life, raised a family, and lived for nearly two decades—until war reached his doorstep again in 2022, forcing him to flee once more, this time to the UK.
His memoir, currently in its final stages of preparation, reflects not only on personal survival but on the global failure to hold power to account. It is also a call to memory, documenting the continuity of injustice across borders.
“I carry the weight of two exiles now,” writes Shaheen, “each echoing with the pain of occupation and the power of resistance.”
The 168-page book is fully written, edited, and ready for print. The goal of the project is not commercial: Shaheen aims to distribute copies freely to schools, libraries, and campaign groups. He sees the memoir not simply as a personal narrative, but as a tool for education and awareness—especially among younger generations increasingly cut off from the lived experiences of occupation and war.
The Kickstarter campaign surpassed its initial funding goal of £1,500 with time still left to go. Yet additional support will determine how widely the book can be distributed and how quickly translations in Arabic, Ukrainian, and other languages can follow.
Any additional funds will be donated to PALMED, which plays a vital role in bridging the gap caused by siege, war, and the destruction of health infrastructure in Palestine. Donations help deliver medical tools, support surgeries, and train doctors who serve thousands under impossible conditions.
Shaheen’s story is not an isolated tale. It is one thread in a global tapestry of displacement and struggle. But what sets it apart is the quiet resolve with which it is told—without spectacle or embellishment.
The book’s title, It is War! (Or The Strong Are Shameless), points to a core message: that those in power often act without consequence, and those without power are left to endure the cost.
This project, supported on Kickstarter, offers readers and backers an opportunity not just to read a memoir, but to amplify a voice rooted in lived resistance.
Support the project or learn more here.
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