"The first time I heard a song by Saint Levant, only three years ago, was in a world that does not exist any more. Gaza’s buildings were intact, as were its schools and roads and markets and mosques. My home city of Khartoum in Sudan was standing, as it had for centuries. Back then, I could scroll for fun, not in dread. I could stumble, say, in late 2022, upon an arresting clip on TikTok of a song by an Arab artist with a pun for a name..." Nesrine Malik

Palestinian musician Saint Levant performing at Les Francofolies, Paris, July 2025.

Photograph: Sadaka Edmond/SIPA/Shutterstock

Saint Levant: the pop star from Gaza caught between passionate fandom and bitter disapproval

His detractors say he shouldn’t be making pop music in times of war and destruction. His millions of fans say he has given them permission to celebrate their culture and their cause

By Nesrine Malik

Tue 26 May 2026 00.00 EDT

The first time I heard a song by Saint Levant, only three years ago, was in a world that does not exist any more. Gaza’s buildings were intact, as were its schools and roads and markets and mosques. My home city of Khartoum in Sudan was standing, as it had for centuries. Back then, I could scroll for fun, not in dread. I could stumble, say, in late 2022, upon an arresting clip on TikTok of a song by an Arab artist with a pun for a name; Saint Levant, a play on Saint Laurent – the icon of western style had been Arabised in homage to the Middle East’s Levant region.

I began to see the same song all over my social media. In the video, Saint Levant, then 22, is in a white vest and brown trousers. A gold pendant chain dangles on his chest, a tattoo encircles his left arm. He starts by rapping in English, telling the woman he is wooing that “he’s not toxic, he’s broken baby”. And then, the twist, as he switches to Arabic, then French, then English again. Like a wholesome boy next door, he tells her to send his regards to her grandmother and her brother. Then says that he wants to make her forget about her ex, he wants her overthinking all her texts... READ MORE  https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/may/26/saint-levant-the-pop-star-from-gaza-caught-between-passionate-fandom-and-bitter-disapproval

 [AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or watch videos) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine] 

Nathalie Handal Recieves National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing fellowship 2025

 French-American poet, playwright, translator, and editor Nathalie Handal is originally of a Palestinian family from Bethlehem. She has lived in Europe, Latin America, the Arab world, and the United States. 

Poetry Foundation

a poem   https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/nathalie-handal

Others Are Us

By Nathalie Handal

 

He said I was different because I was dark. She said I was different because 
I wore a scarf. He said I was different because I had an accent. She said I was different because I couldn’t read. He said I was different because I stuttered. She said I was different because I couldn’t hear or speak. He said I was different 
because I should be a girl. She said I was different because I should be a boy. We are all different so doesn’t that mean we are the same? I mean it’s like heartbeats, we all share the same beats per minute but not exactly.

 

Source: Poetry (March 2021)

 ~

academy of american poets

 poets.org https://poets.org/poet/nathalie-handal

Nathalie Handal is the author of several books of poetry, including Life in a Country Album (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2019) and The Republics (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2015), which received a 2016 Arab American Book Award

About Nathalie Handal

In Arabic, French, and Hebrew with English subtitles: Inheritance

 OPENING NIGHT will feature the premiere of the Palestinian film Inheritance directed by veteran actor Hiam Abbass. The film screening will take place on Friday, October 25 at 7:00 PM and will be immediately followed by a reception.

Inheritance follows a Palestinian family living in the north of Galilee as they prepare for the wedding of the patriarch's eldest granddaughter. But war raging between Lebanon and Israel as well as among the family members cuts short the festivities with air raid sirens and bruised spirits. The conservative patriarch-grandfather is losing control over his family. As his health deteriorates, his five offspring and their adult children strive to uphold tradition, or their versions of it, against a variety of modern day challenges. The young women seek independence, and Hajar, in particular, faces a potentially difficult decision regarding her British boyfriend. The other siblings struggle with debt, infertility, infidelity and identity; secrets are revealed and no one remains unscathed. Veteran actor Hiam Abbass (The Source, Arabian Sights 2012) pours volumes of rich personal experience into her directorial debut. She triumphs in weaving together these delicate stories to create an unflinching and courageous portrait of a modern Palestinian family.

In Arabic, French, and Hebrew with English subtitles

SCREENING WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A RECEPTION

Co-presented with American Task Force on Palestine

Friday	October 25	7:00 PM	AMC Mazza Gallerie	$20.00   Buy Tickets

American Task Force on 

Palestine

MOVIES

 Arabian Sights returns for its 18th year! From October 25 – November 3, Arabian Sights will present two weekends featuring some of the best in contemporary cinema throughout the Arab world. A panel discussion on the current post-revolution cinema in Egypt will also be held. Guest filmmakers will be present for post-screening discussions.

All film screenings will take place at AMC Mazza Gallerie. Tickets are available for presale and will be available for purchase at the theatre during the festival.

 

Press Releases

Kristin Van Meerbeke
Press Relations
filmfestdc@filmfestdc.org
202.274.5782

• The 18th Annual Arabian Sights Film Festival kicks off Friday, October 25 - Media Advisory, October 10, 2013
• Arabian Sights Film Festival 2013 - Media Advisory, September 30, 2013