Renowned Palestinian poet, writer, literature professor, and activist Dr. Refaat Alareer lost his life today in a targeted Israeli airstrike, alongside his brother, sister, and four of her children. He is survived by his wife, Nusayba, and their children.
Dr. Alareer, a cherished professor at the Islamic University of Gaza since 2007, was known for his impactful literary contributions. He co-edited “Gaza Unsilenced” (2015) and edited “Gaza Writes Back: Short Stories from Young Writers in Gaza, Palestine” (2014). In his poignant piece for the 2022 collection “Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire,” titled “Gaza Asks: When Shall this Pass?”, he expressed hope amid the struggles faced by Gaza.
As a founder of We Are Not Numbers, a nonprofit born in the aftermath of Israel’s 2014 attack, Dr. Alareer aimed to empower a new generation of Palestinian writers and thinkers.
Through his Twitter account, “Refaat in Gaza,” Dr. Alareer consistently condemned atrocities by Israeli forces and criticized U.S. administrations that enabled them. His profound poetry, shared since November 1, foretells a somber future yet exudes resilience.
The news of his passing has triggered an outpouring of grief and anger among friends, colleagues, former students, and followers. You killed my friend. Someone I kept praying would stay safe. Someone I messaged daily bc his resilience gave me hope. He laughed in the face of the genocidal maniacs everyday he stayed alive never allowing them to think he was afraid. You killed him. “My message to the free people of the world is to move, to pressure, to mobilize and take to the streets…People in Gaza want to be safe, we don’t want to be killed.” Refaat Alareer, as a professor of English literature in Gaza, recorded many of his lectures and put them online. I would encourage all of you to watch them and see the love he had for poetry, for Shakespeare, and for Palestine.https://t.co/H9AHKzEoW0— Séamus Malekafzali (@Seamus_Malek) December 7, 2023 From a 2021 essay in the New York Times by Refaat Alareer, who was killed today alongside his family. pic.twitter.com/G8rVTUimlC— Dr Beth Kitson (@beth_kitson) December 7, 2023 I've known Refaat Alareer (@itranslate123) since I was 17. He taught me my first English writing course. More than a teacher, he was a mentor, a friend, and he truly cared about his students beyond the classroom. His passion was the English language, but he didn't teach it as a… pic.twitter.com/bseUxnCBNo— Jehad Abusalim جهاد أبو سليم (@JehadAbusalim) December 7, 2023
You killed Refaat Alareer.— Hebh Jamal (@hebh_jamal) December 7, 2023
Palestinian academic and activist Refaat Alareer spoke to Democracy Now in Oct. He was killed today by Israel. pic.twitter.com/PdspIK7Bkn— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) December 7, 2023
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