I was actually able to have an intelligent informed conversation about Israel prior to reading this book based on having taken an excellent Middle East class and doing other reading and following the news. But the thing about knowledge and information is that there’s always more to be had. And this book provided that amply. It even had drawings, very good ones, from minimalist outline like sketches to excellent portraiture.
The thing is my knowledge of Israel’s past, facts and politics went up to approximately the beginning of Netanyahu’s reign and since then the country has taken a critical turn to the right, following the terrifying global nationalistic trend of recent years and this book covered all of that. So now I’m educated…and saddened. But that’s politics for you. You can’t be informed and happy or, you know, that thing they say about ignorance… But whether you had some foreknowledge of Israel or none, this book will get you up to speed. It’s an excellent comprehensive primer on the country’s origins and it’s tumultuous existence. The author is someone who really knows what he’s talking about, having lived there and having been actively involved with it as the CEO of the New Israel Fund. The man is used to talking about Israel, knows how to do it and can write about it eloquently, eruditely and accessibly. And boy does he have his work cut out for him. Israel isn’t just one of those divisive subjects that make you want to avoid politics in polite company, it’s also an insoluble political puzzle. A question with no right answer. The author, to his credit, tries to provide answers stated with tact as personal opinions while presenting the readers with a multitude of perspectives, but in the end it seems (more so the more I learn about it) that there is no end to it all. Two nations both convinced of their right to belong, unwilling or unable to satisfactory compromise. The last four years have been spectacular for Netanyahu, propped up by his best American buddy, but now things have changed. And (related or not) The New York Times has had reports of worse violence in years in Israel the last few days. It’s difficult to hope for a happy resolution, based on the ample empirical evidence offered in the book. The author tries to give you a positive ending, featuring testimonials of individuals who are fighting for unity and trying to make a positive change, but as nice as that is, it seems profoundly insignificant against the sheer immensity of the conflict. The interesting thing is that whatever you want to accuse Israel of, it’s nothing new, it’s just more recent. America has been found on displacing and killing the native people and everyone seems to be ok with it, made Thanksgiving out of it. It seems that in politics as in life, if you’re large, loud and obnoxious enough, you’ll be forgiven. Israel, a country the size of New Jersey, remains as controversial as ever and has had more than a fair share of wars, opprobrium and difficulties for a place that’s only been established in 1948. But that’s just yet some of the yet another one sided Israel conversation, albeit now, thanks to this book, more informed than ever. This book is smartly laid out, first talking facts then connecting them to the grand scheme of global politics. You will absolutely be able to talk about Israel after finishing it, so fait accompli for the author. I’m very glad I read this book. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
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