shiradest's review against another edition
4.0
I've been holding off on reviewing this book for over a week now, because it frightens me to review this book, and it makes me feel ashamed not to review this book. Or rather, I feel shame at my own reluctance to review this book. I have already lost friends over the years even as I endeavored not to discuss these issues, and was pressed, forced finally, into telling my reluctant opinion. And then I was ostrascized for it.
What he says is in very great measure true. The modern State of Israel is not a democratically run state by the rules of Good Governance (especially given the uneven treatment of varying groups within the state, and the control of all life-cycle events and the Kotel by the Chief Rabbinate, which excludes most Jewish officials). Many things being done by the government are unethical and inexcusable, and the state of Israel does not speak for the Jewish people. And no one, these days to my knowledge, still claims that the land was empty at the time of the start of the Zionist movement. I may be wrong there, but I seem to think that it has been clear for years that British authorities were playing both sides against the middle during the Mandate period. Nor does anyone universally equate Zionism with Judaism, even if the majority of Jews declare as Zionists out of fear of where to go in the event of another Holocaust. Many, and that number is growing, Jews are speaking out as non-Zionists and advocating changes in the liturgy to reflect more universalist trends within Judaism (see J Street, [b:The First Jewish Catalog: A Do-It-Yourself Kit|1744496|The First Jewish Catalog A Do-It-Yourself Kit|Richard Siegel|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441289745s/1744496.jpg|1742164] , and siddur [b:Siddur Birkat Shalom|22672889|Siddur Birkat Shalom|Havurat Shalom Siddur Project|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|42177290] by Havurat Shalom in Somerville, MA).
Yet, also, the idea he puts out that the Jews had multiple homelands is simply not so. And his chapter does not address this, but rather chronicles how the British pushed for a Jewish state in the Palestinian Mandate area even before the Ottoman empire lost it. This may be true, but negates the rejection of Jews all around the world during WWII.
I admit to being shocked by what he said about the 1967 war, and also about the Oslo accords. That left me disheartened and depressed, particularly as he also negates the possibility of a 2-state solution. What then is left?
What he says is in very great measure true. The modern State of Israel is not a democratically run state by the rules of Good Governance (especially given the uneven treatment of varying groups within the state, and the control of all life-cycle events and the Kotel by the Chief Rabbinate, which excludes most Jewish officials). Many things being done by the government are unethical and inexcusable, and the state of Israel does not speak for the Jewish people. And no one, these days to my knowledge, still claims that the land was empty at the time of the start of the Zionist movement. I may be wrong there, but I seem to think that it has been clear for years that British authorities were playing both sides against the middle during the Mandate period. Nor does anyone universally equate Zionism with Judaism, even if the majority of Jews declare as Zionists out of fear of where to go in the event of another Holocaust. Many, and that number is growing, Jews are speaking out as non-Zionists and advocating changes in the liturgy to reflect more universalist trends within Judaism (see J Street, [b:The First Jewish Catalog: A Do-It-Yourself Kit|1744496|The First Jewish Catalog A Do-It-Yourself Kit|Richard Siegel|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441289745s/1744496.jpg|1742164] , and siddur [b:Siddur Birkat Shalom|22672889|Siddur Birkat Shalom|Havurat Shalom Siddur Project|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|42177290] by Havurat Shalom in Somerville, MA).
Yet, also, the idea he puts out that the Jews had multiple homelands is simply not so. And his chapter does not address this, but rather chronicles how the British pushed for a Jewish state in the Palestinian Mandate area even before the Ottoman empire lost it. This may be true, but negates the rejection of Jews all around the world during WWII.
I admit to being shocked by what he said about the 1967 war, and also about the Oslo accords. That left me disheartened and depressed, particularly as he also negates the possibility of a 2-state solution. What then is left?
casparb's review against another edition
4.0
As of today, this is free on Verso's website as an ebook so BIG recommend for anybody. You don't even need to read the whole book if you'd prefer to dip into just the chapter on the myth of the two-state solution, or the Judaism=Zionism myth (I do recommend the entire book nonetheless). What's to lose? Ten Myths is free.
It's a wonderful book on the topic. As an Israeli Jew, Pappé seems to have firsthand access to rather compromising information on the Israeli government, and the tone of the book strikes a perfect balance between authoritative and naturalistic.
That is to say, the style isn't overly academic. It's not one to be put off by for fear of dryness or dullness. I'm really not sure what else I can say - give it a read. Free Palestine.
It's a wonderful book on the topic. As an Israeli Jew, Pappé seems to have firsthand access to rather compromising information on the Israeli government, and the tone of the book strikes a perfect balance between authoritative and naturalistic.
That is to say, the style isn't overly academic. It's not one to be put off by for fear of dryness or dullness. I'm really not sure what else I can say - give it a read. Free Palestine.
ashayay's review against another edition
5.0
This was so powerful. It took me forever to finish but I’m so glad I did, as I now have a deeper understanding of the relations between Israel and Palestine and how many of the accepted views about Israel are false. Only by discussing the future of these two states without believing the myths discussed in this book will a solution be reached. Super important to read, or at least understand this topic!
noorvbarrage's review against another edition
5.0
The best book I’ve read on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Pappe’s arguments are solid and a testament to his expertise on the history of Palestine.
His main arguments that the 1948 Nakba was the ethnic cleaning of Palestine, that Zionism is a settler colonial movement and that the state of Israel is an apartheid state are all well supported with historical events and presented to the reader in a digestible way.
This is a great read for anyone unfamiliar with the Israeli-Palestinian issue as the myths are presented in chronological order.
His main arguments that the 1948 Nakba was the ethnic cleaning of Palestine, that Zionism is a settler colonial movement and that the state of Israel is an apartheid state are all well supported with historical events and presented to the reader in a digestible way.
This is a great read for anyone unfamiliar with the Israeli-Palestinian issue as the myths are presented in chronological order.
diogomsfranco's review against another edition
4.0
It is a very complete analysis of the entire conflict. I found it to be a little confusing at times when it seemed that the author was making huge side notes and coming back to the main topic, mixing different events and time periods. But overall a very interesting read that will give you a lot of knowledge on the topic.
emsreadingdiary's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
3.75
Really informative and dense book. I feel like I learned a lot more in depth info, and he phrased things super well that made them easier to understand. Definitely not for beginners on the subject, I think moderate to above average knowledge (at least) is required, because of the density of the information.