The Lanterns of the King of Galilee

In the eighteenth century, on the shores of Lake Tiberias and the mountains of Galilee, Nazareth and Acre, an ordinary man started a journey.  His was the greatest goal one could dream of in those days: to liberate the land, achieve independence and establish an Arab state in Palestine. By doing so, this man was challenging the rule of the greatest empire at that time, the Ottoman Empire, which extended over three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. His name was Dhaher Al-Omar al-Zeidani and he ruled over Palestine and beyond.

This epic novel covers 86 years (1689-1775) and contains historical figures as well as fictional characters. It moves between Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Istanbul. The novel is a deep reflection on the actual and spiritual history of Palestine and at the same time brings to the foreground an exceptional historical leader. Dhaher Al-Omar was unique in his understanding of the values of dignity, justice, freedom, the right to live and religious tolerance, in a way that was ahead of his time.