Beyond Memory Activism: Palestinian Life in the Colonial City

Andreas Hackl explores in his book, The Invisible Palestinians: The Hidden Struggle for Inclusion in Jewish Tel Aviv, the reality of Palestinians who, for a variety of reasons, live in Tel Aviv. Hackl argues that the apparent access granted to Palestinians to partake in the universal dimensions of urban life is contingent upon their continuous political and collective invisibility, which he labels “immersive invisibility.” The author explores the manifestations of this bargain in seven chapters, displaying different groups of Palestinians and aspects of their lives. These include students, workers, and other groups of residents who often live in the city temporarily, some to benefit from the educational and occupational opportunities it offers, while others in search of personal freedom and anonymity. However, as some interviewees’ narratives reveal, access to these benefits is conditioned on their invisibility, an issue that has not been previously explored.