Book Synopsis

The first woman to serve as United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory conveys the spirit of a people through 10 unforgettable stories of resilience and humanity.

Francesca Albanese is the most lucid voice against Israel's apartheid policies in Gaza and the West Bank, a voice that has been heard around the world when it comes to speaking the truth about the Palestinian genocide. In the wake of October 7, 2023, and Israel's retaliatory war, the renowned Italian jurist has become a lightning rod for her staunch defense of human rights.

Reflecting on her years living in Jerusalem and her personal and professional journey toward understanding the Palestinian struggle, Albanese pays tribute to 10 people whose profoundly affecting stories opened her eyes, from Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces, to the remarkable Jewish scholars who acted as Albanese's mentors: forensic architect Eyal Weizman, trauma expert Gabor Maté, and Holocaust historian Alon Confino.

When the World Sleeps is a courageous testimony of the harsh reality that Palestinians face. It raises critical questions about the past, present, and future of Palestine: What are the consequences of the occupation? Where is a refugee's home? In what conditions do Palestinians live? And now that the end of the war seems to be getting closer, will there be a Palestinian state? Will Palestinians have the right to self-determination, and will they be able to live in peace, free at last from the coercion of Israel?

Review Quotes

"The voice of Francesca Albanese is as uncompromising in its commitment to human justice, as relentless in its appeal to our common humanity, and as courageous in face of slander, disdain, and suppression, as once the voice of the prophets." --Göran Rosenberg, author of Israel, a Personal History

Praise for A Moon Will Rise from the Darkness

"Albanese has spoken truth with unflinching clarity in a world largely silent in the face of a holocaust, carrying out her mandate with integrity and defiance that honors both the law and the human conscience. This book is a formidable indictment of injustice and demonstrates what it means to stand alone against power." --Susan Abulhawa, author of Against the Loveless World

"Albanese's expert analysis sheds light on Palestine's darkest moment in history. While millions of people formed an unprecedented solidarity movement with the Palestinians, their governments by and large remained indifferent. This book will help to judge those who were on the right and wrong side of history." --Ilan Pappe, author of The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine

About the Author

Francesca Albanese is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. A jurist, lecturer, and scholar, she has more than a decade of experience in human rights. She has worked with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. In these roles, she has advised the United Nations, governments, and civil society in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Gregory Conti has translated numerous works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from Italian including works by Emilio Lussu, Rosetta Loy, Elisa Biagini, and Paolo Rumiz. He is the translator of Stefano Mancuso's two previous books, The Nation of Plants and The Incredible Journey of Plants, and recently translated The Child Is the Teacher by Cristina De Stefano. He is a regular contributor to the literary quarterly Raritan.