ISBN-13: 9780714682365 / Angielski / Miękka / 2002 / 210 str.
This is the story of the cultural and political struggle between Christians and Muslims, and of the rapid Islamicization of Nazareth - the birthplace of Christianity - ironically, under the rule of the Jewish State of Israel. Until the creation of Israel in 1948, Christians formed the majority in the township of Nazareth. However, as Muslim refugees fled adjoining villages for the safety of the city during Israel's War of Independence, the demographic balance began to shift. By the year 2000, Christians had been reduced to a mere 30 per cent of the city's population of 60,000. Nazareth has always been the political hub of Arab politics in Israel - especially for the Communist Party. But, with the arrival of Zayyad - the immensely charismatic and forceful poet who was the first Muslim leader of the Party, and mayor of Nazareth for 20 years - the marginalization of the Christian community was finally achieved.