A Decade in the Middle East: One Woman's Raw Account of Conflict and Loss

Steffi Hentschke’s new book, Sometimes I Just Want to Scream, explores her decade-long involvement in the Middle East conflict. The account spans her travels across contested regions, from Acre to Jenin, and reflects on the human cost of the struggle. Her journey began in 2012 with a first visit to Israel, setting her on a path through activism and journalism. Hentschke’s early work included a role at the peace organisation IPCRI. Later, she turned to journalism, documenting stories from Ramallah, Bethlehem, and beyond. Along the way, she encountered individuals who resisted hatred despite deep divisions.

In October 2023, 22-year-old Shani Louk, a German-Israeli woman, was kidnapped and killed by Hamas. Disturbing footage of her abduction spread widely, drawing global attention. Months later, in May 2024, Hentschke attended Louk’s funeral, where her father, Nissim, openly criticised Israel’s leadership. The book does not shy away from difficult questions. Hentschke condemns terrorism as a form of resistance but also argues that the Israeli occupation remains a central barrier to lasting peace.

Hentschke’s work weaves personal experience with political reality, offering a view from the ground. The book arrives as the conflict continues to claim lives, including Louk’s, whose death underscored its brutality. Readers are left with accounts of resilience amid a struggle that shows no sign of resolution.