Diane de Vignemont is a historian-turned-journalist based in Paris. Her writing has appeared in New Lines Magazine, Prospect Magazine, Libération, and L’Humanité.

Last year’s Pelicot trial was the biggest rape case in French history, drawing huge public attention. But only an appeal last week saw the case heard before a jury, allowing ordinary citizens to pass judgement on the rapists.

French historian Jean-Pierre Filiu has visited Gaza many times — but he had to make his most recent visit in December in secret. Defying Israel’s attempt to control reporting, his latest book is a devastating account of the destruction of Gazan society.