Seven Essential Graphic Novels to Understand the Situation in Palestine

 The conflict in Palestine cannot be reduced to headlines or slogans. It is a complex web of history, identity, occupation, resistance, and daily life. These seven graphic novels offer different lenses—historical, journalistic, and personal—through which readers can grasp its human and political dimensions.

1. History of Jerusalem – Vincent Lemire & Christophe Gaultier

Two thousand years of history unfold in this extraordinary visual journey through one of the world’s most contested cities. By blending meticulous historical research with accessible storytelling, the authors help readers understand the deep historical roots that continue to shape the region’s present.

2. Footnotes in Gaza – Joe Sacco

A masterpiece of graphic journalism, Joe Sacco’s investigation reconstructs a forgotten massacre that took place in Gaza in the 1950s. Through painstaking interviews and historical documents, Sacco uncovers events that echo with tragic resonance in the decades that followed, revealing how cycles of violence and silence perpetuate suffering.

3. Journalism (Reportages) – Joe Sacco

In this collection of journalistic comics, Sacco explores several global conflicts, including a remarkable chapter on the Palestinian Intifada. His stark black-and-white drawings convey the intensity of life under occupation, giving voice to those who rarely appear in mainstream narratives.

4. How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less – Sarah Glidden

In this deeply personal memoir, an American Jewish woman travels to Israel on a Birthright trip, expecting to connect with her heritage. Instead, she finds herself questioning the contradictions of Israeli society and confronting the harsh realities faced by the Palestinian people. Glidden’s quiet honesty and watercolor art make this an intimate reflection on identity and empathy.

5. Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City – Guy Delisle

Through his trademark minimalist style and dry humor, Canadian artist Guy Delisle chronicles a year living in East Jerusalem while his wife works for Doctors Without Borders. His observations of checkpoints, divided neighborhoods, and small acts of humanity capture the absurdity and resilience of daily life under occupation.

6. Living in Occupied Territory (Vivre en terre occupée) – José Pablo García

Published in collaboration with Action Against Hunger, this reportage comic follows the author’s journey across the West Bank and Gaza. Through encounters with farmers, students, and aid workers, García documents the concrete realities of restrictions, walls, and water scarcity, translating humanitarian data into human stories.

7. Mike’s Place: A True Story of Love, Blues, and Terror in Tel Aviv – Jack Baxter, Joshua Faudem & Koren Shadmi

Set in a popular seaside bar, this book recounts the 2003 Hamas bombing that shattered a space known for coexistence and music. By intertwining the perspectives of survivors and witnesses, it reminds readers that beyond politics, every tragedy begins in ordinary lives interrupted.

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Together, these seven works form a powerful mosaic of voices and visions—spanning centuries, ideologies, and emotions. They invite us not only to understand Palestine, but to feel its humanity.