Engineer on the Road (Book)

The Engineer on the Road is an autobiographical work written by Abdullah Galip Bergusi, a Palestinian engineer, author and member of the Qassam Brigades. The book recounts, from the author’s own perspective, his childhood, education, political awakening and involvement in the Palestinian resistance. Bergusi, who has been sentenced by Israel to 67 life terms and 5,200 years in prison, wrote this book while imprisoned in a single-cell cell in an Israeli prison.

Author of The Engineer on the Road, Abdullah Galip Bergusi (İlke News Agency)

Biographical Background

Abdullah Galip Bergusi was born in Kuwait in 1972. His family, originally Palestinian, was displaced from their homeland due to the Israeli occupation and lived in exile for many years. During his youth, Bergusi traveled to South Korea where he received an engineering education and specialized in electronics and computer technology. This technical knowledge later played a crucial role in his involvement in the Palestinian resistance.

Summary of the Subject

The book begins with Bergusi’s childhood memories, his relationships with his family and his educational journey. However, its central focus is on the resistance activities he engaged in after returning to Palestine. He applied the technical skills and knowledge he acquired as an engineer to support the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. Specializing in electronic systems and explosive devices, he became effective in attacks against Israeli targets. In 2003, he was arrested by Israeli security forces while with his daughter in Ramallah. His trial was conducted in a manner that raised serious questions under international law; despite the absence of any evidence proving he directly caused harm to civilian lives, he was sentenced to 67 life terms and thousands of years in prison.

Characters

• Abdullah Galip Bergusi: The main character and author. He is one of the symbolic figures of the resistance movement, portrayed as an educated, conscious and ideologically resolute individual.
• Tala: Bergusi’s young daughter. Her presence during his arrest served as the most profound spiritual influence on the writing of the book.
• Family Members and Companions: Other figures mentioned in the book represent the internal dimensions of the resistance, its human costs and the spirit of solidarity.

Themes

• Occupation and Resistance: The book presents the Palestinian people’s struggle against the Israeli occupation through a personal lens.
• Justice and International Law: Bergusi’s trial is examined in the context of Israel’s violations of human rights.
• The Relationship Between Technology and Resistance: It is one of the rare examples documenting how an engineer’s technical expertise is applied in armed struggle.
• Belief, Family and Patience: The book explores powerful themes of how spiritual resilience is maintained under extreme conditions.

Writing and Publication Information

The book was written by Bergusi under conditions of isolation in an Israeli prison. Translated into Turkish and published by Ekin Yayınları, it has generated significant反响 in Turkey and the Islamic world. The work is regarded both as a personal account of resistance and as a historical testimony.

Impact and Significance

The Engineer on the Road is not only an autobiographical narrative but also a text that examines the ethical and philosophical dimensions of political resistance. It explores how individual experiences gain meaning within the context of collective struggle and offers examples of alternative forms of resistance shaped by education, awareness and determination. It has been observed that the book has attracted particular interest among younger generations and has become a subject of discussion in various contexts.