Before We Say Goodbye

Amnesty International’s events at the Book Festival never shy away from political controversy – this year imprisoned writers and their plights will be discussed at the Peppers Theatre. But one event will take centre stage in the human rights groups’ programme with the launch of a new book offering an exploration of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Before We Say Goodbye by Italian journalist Gabriella Amborsio looks at one of the world’s most intractable stand-offs with a neutral eye, not seeking to score points or represent one side as right. Through a focus on two teenage girls-a bomber and a victim, we see the impact of suicide bombings have on the everyday lives of both Israelis and Palestinians. 

Aimed at a young audience, the book takes a perpetually complex issue, stripping it down to the often-overlooked human stories. And in-keeping with the theatrical theme of many Book Festival appearances this year, young actors will read from extracts, followed by a discussion featuring the author and the BBC’s foreign correspondent Allan Little.

Vered Cohen-Barzilay from Amnesty Israel believes that skirting around the political controversies helps the book explore the impact of the conflict free from the shackles of bias.

“Before We Say Goodbye gives us a rare look and a wonderful opportunity to get to know reality from the bird-eye’s view, with all its complexity and many faces. It does not embellish it. It does not blame or judge, nor does it get tangled in political accusations of who is better off or who is hurting more. It mourns, it despairs and it hurts, but it is brutally honest. That is where its importance lies.”