Coalition SPEAKER SERIES: Prof. Lihi Ben Shitrit, “Unrecognized, A Palestine Bedouin Feminist in Israel”

Professor Bin Shitrit will speak about her latest book,
“Unrecognized, A Palestine Bedouin Feminist in Israel,” being
published in December 2026. This book tells the extraordinary story
of Mona Al-Habanin (b. 1970), the first Bedouin woman to run for
elected office in Israel's Negev Desert. 

Lihi Bin Shitrit is the Henry Taub Associate Professor of Israel
Studies at the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies
and the director of the Taub Center for Israel Studies.
Her research focuses on the intersections of gender, religion, and
politics in the Middle East.  She is the author of “Righteous
Transgressions: Women’s Activism on the Israeli and Palestinian Religious Right” and
“Women and the Holy City: The Struggle over Jerusalem’s Sacred Space” as well as
her new book called “Unrecognized: A Palestinian Bedouin Feminist in Israel.”

This book tells the extraordinary story of the first Palestinian Bedouin woman to run for office
in Israel’s Negev Desert, forced to choose between her children and her tribe.  Mona
Al-Habanin transformed personal tragedy into fierce activism, pioneering
together with other courageous activists…. indigenous Bedouin feminism that
defies silencing and state-sanctioned oppression…and Professor Bin Shitrit brings
her story to life.

Join us!

With gratitude to the Rene Bloch Foundation for their generous support.