Palestine Twilight

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Part travelogue and part true-thriller, this brilliantly original work investigates the murder of US archaeologist Dr. Albert Glock on the West Bank in 1992, revealing the Palestinian world he served. On January 19, 1992, Glock, Director of Archaeology at Bir Zeit University, was shot twice in the heart. Confusion surrounded witness statements, and the autopsy was inadequate. The police took three hours to respond, despite being only ten minutes away. Theories about his murder varied; Palestinians blamed Israelis, while Israelis pointed to internal university conflicts or extremist groups. However, those familiar with Bir Zeit urged others to "look to the archaeology," as Glock was uncovering uncomfortable truths about Palestine's past. His findings challenged the Israeli narrative of a land without a people for a people without a country. Glock published significant research on ancient Palestinian traditions and settlements, which threatened established views. He left a promising career to teach at a beleaguered university facing daily curfews and potential closure. This extraordinary narrative intertwines Glock's murder with the history of biblical archaeology and the complex politics of the intifada, offering a compelling, original perspective on the Middle East unlike any other.