Artwork for the book Where the Olive Trees Grow

Aim

Fundraising to use artwork by Gaza artist Laila Kassab for the cover of my book "Where the Olive Trees Grow".

Palestine and food insecurity

"A perfect storm doesn't quite describe the Palestinian plight—rather, a cumulative assault through political upheaval, war and population containment. A central part of the military offensive and occupation of Gaza has involved the weaponisation of food and water: an overwhelming cause of civilian suffering and mortality."

A couple of years ago I wrote a book called "The Hundred Year Hunger". The purpose was to explore and present the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition in Gaza, through decades of oppression and occupation up to the current escalation in conflict. 

The book was well received by a number of individuals and organisations, including the Leeds Justice and Peace Commission, and UK singer-songwriter Billy Bragg. The book inspired Billy to write a song by the same name in solidarity with the Palestinian people and the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla, performing it at various venues including mass demonstrations in Parliament Square, London and at fundraising events for the Amos Trust.

Within a month of the book's publication in 2025, the concern I raised that famine was imminent had become a reality, after continued denial by Israeli authorities that malnutrition was an issue. Today, food insecurity is still classed as high among most of the population in Gaza. 

At the time of writing (June 2026), official estimates suggest over 100,000 children and 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women require treatment for acute malnutrition and associated complications. An infinite number of unknowns remain regarding Gaza’s future, including its eventual reconstruction. Before that, a true ceasefire—beyond in name only—is required. Aid trucks must also be allowed to freely cross its borders and a committed plan worked through to sustain long-term nutritional welfare and public health. And ultimately, there must be accountability.

About the new book project, "Where the Olive Trees Grow" 

My latest work-in-progress continues the central theme of nutrition in Gaza. In "Where the Olive Trees Grow" I place the spotlight on events developing since the publication of "The Hundred Year Hunger" and offer predictions for Gaza's future public health, based on an analysis of what we know now.

The project will present a diverse collection of commentaries including an account of the famine of 2025; how politics and conflict have created challenges for delivery of food aid in Gaza since the latest escalation in conflict; humanitarian aid effectiveness (and scandal); and a deep dive into the evidence for genocide from a malnutrition perspective. 

Among today's talk of genocide and nation complicity in war crimes, there is also Palestinian resilience and global solidarity. Ultimately (and as the title reflects) "Where the Olive Trees Grow" searches for that positivity. While major NGOs wrestle with political barriers to aid delivery on a mass scale, I investigate how small grassroots organisations are actively addressing nutritional concerns at a community level. There will also be an exploration of the potential for establishing improved food security, nutritional care, and public health policy during Gaza's eventual reconstruction.  

"Where the Olive Trees Grow" is a self-publication, and will be released mid-2027 under my own imprint A Nickel And A Nail.

So what's this Crowdfunder campaign about?

As a freelance writer who is primarily involved in self-publication I'm also responsible for managing the practical and aesthetic aspects of the book-making process. When it came to the book cover, utilising the skills of a Palestinian artist as a core part of the cover design made perfect sense. 

About the artist Laila Kassab

Laila Kassab is an artist and a mother of five children. In the most recent escalation of the conflict in Gaza, she and her family lived through the harsh reality of war for eight months. Facing immense suffering and a number of ordeals, they miraculously survived each one. Eventually Laila was forced to make the decision to leave Gaza. She and her family currently live in Egypt. Laila's experiences have deeply shaped her outlook on life and her art. 

Her strikingly colourful and vivid art which references aspects of pain, suffering, resilience, family and cultural identity is widely recognised and appreciated by cultural and arts organisations. The UK-based arts charity Outside In has showcased her work. 

It has also been featured online and displayed internationally at the Palestine Museum & Cultural Centre, Bristol and Galeria E.V.A. Other than exhibiting her own art, Laila has been involved in facilitating art classes which provide psychological relief activities for displaced children.

About the author E. Mark Windle

I am a UK-based author with interests in the humanitarian sector, global health and nutrition and international culture.

My passion for writing was developed during a long career as an NHS dietitian. Specialising in the care of patients with critical illness and major burn injury, my clinical papers and commentaries have been published in several medical and nutrition journals. These include the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Journal of Burn Care and Research, Complete Nutrition and Dietetics Today. The British Dietetic Association also invited me to contribute to the Manual of Dietetic Practice (4th Edition), the core textbook used by the profession in the UK.

In 2019, after 25 years of working in healthcare, I decided to pursue writing on a full-time basis. I now write books, articles and other content in a range of humanitarian and cultural settings. My portfolio of work can be found Windlefreelance.com.

The funding target

This campaign uses a two step approach to reaching funding goals, in the event that the first goal is exceeded:

The first target is £300. This will cover the use of a piece of Laila's artwork from her existing portfolio to be incorporated into the front cover design of "Where The Olive Trees Grow". 

A 'stretch' target of £750 will be set if the first target is reached before the end of the campaign period. This amount will allow me to commission Laila for an original piece of art aligned specifically to a brief for the book theme, rather than using existing artwork.

Rewards

If you've read this far, I am truly grateful that you are considering support for this project and coming on this creative journey with us. To show appreciation for your donation, a reward system is in place:

1. All donations (any amount): Your name will be added to a donor page that will appear in the acknowledgements section of "Where the Olive Trees Grow" when it is published (scheduled mid-2027). 

2. Donations of £10 or more: A digital (PDF) version of my book "The Hundred Year Hunger" (the predecessor to "Where the Olive Trees Grow"), plus reward #1.

3. Donations of £20 or more (UK donors only): A paperback copy of "The Hundred Year Hunger", signed by the author; plus rewards #1 and #2.

My pledge

In the event of the first target not being reached by the end of the campaign period, I will commit to funding a piece of Laila's artwork from her existing portfolio. 

If the stretch target is initiated but a shortfall remains, as a minimum I will use existing portfolio artwork and forward any additional money raised directly to Laila. Depending on the shortfall amount, I may alternatively consider the full commission.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 7th September 2026 at 9:00am