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For over four months, the settler-colonial state has been conducting a genocidal war on Gaza, a series of raids and detention sprees in the West Bank, and a war on South Lebanon. It is within this context that our seventh issue, titled “Pre-Occupied Thoughts,” unfolds – a collection of reflections, analyses, and narratives that aim to shed light on the multifacetedness of the occupation that extends beyond mere territorial boundaries, and goes back long before October 7.

For decades, the Levant has suffered under and fought against the settler-colonial state. The occupation spans across Palestine, where the struggle for self-determination and liberation continues against all odds. In the Golan Heights, a region stolen from its people, the impacts of occupation are felt keenly, altering the lives of those who call it home. Southern Lebanon, an area that has borne witness to conflict and resistance, remains steadfast in the face of persistent aggression.

Beyond the physical territories, the occupation extends into academic and intellectual spaces, where ideas, narratives, and historical truths are often subject to distortion. Media spaces, too, are not immune but are rather vessels for pushing the colonial project’s ideals, as narratives are carefully crafted to perpetuate a skewed perspective, distorting the reality on the ground and keeping the cycle of injustice moving.

Pre-Occupied Thoughts serves as a testament to the resilience of those who resist, offering insights into the struggles faced on multiple fronts. While the oppressor may seek to dominate, history has shown that the spirit of resistance prevails. In the face of adversity, the oppressed find strength in unity, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

This issue is a tribute to those who persist in their struggle, an homage to those who have been martyred, a call to action for those who seek to stand in solidarity, and   a reminder that even in the darkest hours, our spirits must never falter, for the dawn of liberation is inevitable.