A "visionary"* approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict--one state for two peoples--that is more urgent than ever
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reviews
Dec 02, 2008
Remi
rated it: 
Ali Abunimah's new book, One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse, exposes the impracticality of partition and presents an alternative vision, one that encompasses both peoples on the basis of equal rights.
Abunimah's book may not be the key to a one state solution, as he readily admits, but it is surely a well founded guide to help Palestinians and Israelis begin to resolve the conflict.
Abunimah's book may not be the key to a one state solution, as he readily admits, but it is surely a well founded guide to help Palestinians and Israelis begin to resolve the conflict.
Feb 01, 2012
Roger
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For a book proposing that Israelis and Palestinians live in one binational country, Abunimah offers primarily an Arab perspective of the ongoing crisis. He says the two-state solution has failed because the majorities on both sides cannot agree on a satisfactory partition. But he also thinks peace proposals have undermined the Palestinian cause for statehood due to Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the occupied territories and their denial of basic human rights to Palestinians. Many of his concl
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Jul 28, 2011
“One Country” by Ali Abunimah
The Israeli/ Palestinian conflict is one of the most intractable conflicts of the century. Several attempts at resolving it have lead to utter failure. The author of this book believes that political leaders have been adopting the wrong approach. His title just about sums things up, One Country for both people.
Mr. Abunimah believe that the key to resolving this conflict lies not with forgetting the past as most would believe. He believes in remembering a past where i More...
The Israeli/ Palestinian conflict is one of the most intractable conflicts of the century. Several attempts at resolving it have lead to utter failure. The author of this book believes that political leaders have been adopting the wrong approach. His title just about sums things up, One Country for both people.
Mr. Abunimah believe that the key to resolving this conflict lies not with forgetting the past as most would believe. He believes in remembering a past where i More...
Mar 29, 2009
Reb
rated it:
brilliant, clear, thoughtful, concise.
if you're a conflict-watcher or activist or whatever, read this.
Abunimah doesn't get bogged down (as I so often do) in discussions of collective psychology or history or overmuch geopolitical analysis--straight to the point that partition isn't going to work because the Jewish and Arab populations are so intermixed at this point.
Also a beautiful argument for democratic secularism in all its forms. and a gentle comparison to South Africa, no More...
if you're a conflict-watcher or activist or whatever, read this.
Abunimah doesn't get bogged down (as I so often do) in discussions of collective psychology or history or overmuch geopolitical analysis--straight to the point that partition isn't going to work because the Jewish and Arab populations are so intermixed at this point.
Also a beautiful argument for democratic secularism in all its forms. and a gentle comparison to South Africa, no More...
Dec 19, 2010
Mohammed
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Fantastic and amazing proposal that stays true to our basic human values as a basis for arguments. It might be more of an activist point of view than one that can be realistically carried on and implemented, but it's great to see that the disturbing reality of the situation doesn't deter some from reaching out to what is right and be perfectionists in seeing the future. It caters to the world community more than it does to Palestinians or Israelis, which might be its main weakness.
Mar 04, 2011
Sarah
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Even though I was already convinced that a one-state solution would be the most just one for the Israel-Palestine conflict, this book clearly lays out why, including some arguments that had previously never figured into my rationale/understanding. I also learned a lot about South Africa and how the situation there is similar or different to the Zionist worldview, history, political ambition, settlement...NOT just apartheid, but from the very beginning. It was super interesting. I definitely re
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Sep 11, 2009
Millicent
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A succinct, well-argued possible solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. It's appealing because Abunimah focuses on human rights, democratic principles, and minority political and cultural rights. He argues for a one-state solution based on reconciliation (like in South Africa), instead of ethnically-based land claims that inevitably make two-state partition agreements impossible.
Sometimes I wonder how my position as an outsider influences my agreement with compromises like
Sometimes I wonder how my position as an outsider influences my agreement with compromises like
Jun 28, 2010
lsfrim
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This guy is really persuasive and a great thinker. He also runs the Electronic Intifadah website, which is a mix of right-on coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and antisemitic contributers who should do the whole cause a favor and STFU.
Jun 01, 2009
Zoe
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I ordered this book after hearing Alice Walker recommend it on Pacifica Radio. The State of Israel is one of the main philosophical conundrums "occupying" my mind.
5/4 - I got the book today and read the introduction. I think I will like this book...and I think I will be in agreement w/ Abunimah that a one-state solution is best. This issue is very close to my heart.
6/1 - Finished this book last night. I must have been ripe for it because by the end I found myse More...
5/4 - I got the book today and read the introduction. I think I will like this book...and I think I will be in agreement w/ Abunimah that a one-state solution is best. This issue is very close to my heart.
6/1 - Finished this book last night. I must have been ripe for it because by the end I found myse More...
Sep 26, 2007
Iano
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Brilliant. So obvious, simple and clear. I've always thought that the notion of elective/dual citizenship in the good friday agreement in Northern ireland was a good model for resolving Palestine/Israel and that the two-state solution is ridiculous folly. Abunimah explores this very clearly and uses many South African experiences to explore how it could work. Refreshing to hear something hopeful about this horror. Let's hope that there are brave and visionary Palestinians and Israelis outside of
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Sep 23, 2009
Lee
rated it:
This book was exactly what I wanted in a book about Palestine. Abunimah intertwined relevant moments from his own family's history with a sharp, hopeful, and most importantly easy to read account of Zionism and a proposal for a one state solution. Abunimah made a compelling and detailed arguement for the ways in which the idea of a two state solution has maintained Israelis and Palestinians in a state of violent limbo year after year. I loved that he was compassionate towards both sides and ta
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Jul 13, 2008
Angela
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This book is not a part of the dominant discourse on the Palestine-Israeli conflict, but oh, it should be. Abunimah's writing is clear and moving...the parallels he draws between South African apartheid and that in Israel are especially powerful. The hope that Abunimah offers is of the pragmatic sort, and I finished the book thinking that we can indeed find our ways out of the dark and scary trenches we keep digging for ourselves on this planet..in Palestine and elsewhere. And yes, I probably do
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Mar 08, 2007
matthew
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An interesting attempt at an urgent problem. Abunimah provides convincing geographical and demographic evidence that a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is absolutely no longer tenable. Unfortunately, political and historical context are missing from the book. The reader gets no sense of the history of Zionism and how it functions today in Israeli politics.
See my extended review with Virginia Tilley's One State: http://killbono.wordpress.com/2007/03/07... More...
See my extended review with Virginia Tilley's One State: http://killbono.wordpress.com/2007/03/07... More...
Aug 06, 2008
Safiya
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brilliant analysis on why a two-state solution is no solution at all for palestians and israelis. impecably researched and executed. informative, yet soulful. abunimah produced a balanced narrative without compromising his subjectivity as a palestinian within the diaspora. questions about land, human rights, borders, military occupation and FREEDOM are interrogated in abunima's bold proposal for truth, reconciliation and healing in the middle east.
Nov 13, 2007
David
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One of the best books I've read (and I've read a bunch at this point) on Israel/Palestine and how to move forward. Abunimah is a clear and young voice of compassion and reconciliation in a world of elderly and infirm voices who espouse a tortured logic. If you're of the mind that the only way to peace in Israel/Palestine is a one state solution, you should read this book. If you're not, it goes double that you should read this book.
Oct 31, 2009
Jason
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If a two-state solution is the U.S. government's official position, isn't that enough to make one realize that's probably not a solution that could ever be fair to Palestinians? That's my simple argument. I'd recommend reading Abunimah's much more complex one.
Feb 05, 2010
Jillian
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Ali Abunimah articulates every reason a one-state solution cannot work, then effectively counters every one. Whether you're well-read on the conflict, or this is your first stop, this book is absolutely worth a read (or in my case, two reads!)
Jul 23, 2009
Mk
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This book is full of hope, solid arguments, and empathy. If you ever ponder the question "what do I want to see happen?", and I think most of us who work around this issue do, Abunimah's book can help you envision a solid answer.
Jan 30, 2012
Maryc
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An eye opener if you've been relying on mainstream US news sources. An honest, refreshingly optimistic look at an overwhelmingly difficult situaion. I would love to hear this author speak! Excellent read.
Jun 22, 2008
Mendal
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The introduction to this book was incredible and I found it almost unnecessary to read the rest. It felt like a hopeful minute buried in a possible solution in Israel/ Palestine.
Jun 11, 2007
tamar
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i learned some things from him, but since i already agree with the one country solution it didnt hit me that hard. this is a short, very biased book.
Nov 16, 2007
Graham
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If you think the two state solution is the answer, then you need to read this book. Better than anything Chomsky has written on the issue.
Jan 29, 2008
Ali Abunimah is brilliant and this is one book about the history and politics of that region which is, so far, very captivating
Sep 08, 2008
Ianluna
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as clear a statement of the one-state solution, the geopolitical equivalent of the love that dare not speak its name...
May 15, 2008
Helen
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This should be required reading - a practical and peaceful proposal for the Middle East.
Dec 15, 2010
Brita
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The most compelling argument I've read on a one state solution to the conflict.
Feb 10, 2012
Feb 04, 2012
