Cartas ao meu vizinho palestino

by Yossi Klein Halevi

Lírico e evocatório, este livro é uma das tentativas mais convincentes de estabelecer um diálogo além do muro que separa israelenses e palestinos. Em uma série de cartas, Yossi Klein Halevi se empenha para desfazer o nó ideológico e emocional que tem definido o conflito israelense-palestino por quase um século. Fazendo uso da história e da experiência pessoal como seus guias, ele desemaranha os complexos filamentos de fé, orgulho, raiva e angústia que sente como um judeu vivendo em Israel. Em um esforço sem precedentes para partilhar os dois lados dessa terrível luta, a obra inclui um extenso epílogo de cartas enviadas em resposta a Halevi por palestinos. Algumas irritadas, outras empáticas, embora todas respeitosas, tais cartas abrem a possibilidade de diálogo entre israelenses e palestinos, expondo a sincera emoção de ambos os lados e mostrando que a paz pode ser possível se apenas estivermos dispostos a ouvir o outro.

Genres: Nonfiction, Israel, Jewish, History, Politics, Middle East, Judaism

Paperback

First published June 18, 2019

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on this book about halfway through - I thought the author was patronizing and self-serving. Although he claims to want a "dialogue" with his Palestinian neighbors, what he really wants is to preach at them as to why he (Jewish people) deserve to live in the entire land of Israel (while maybe making some minuscule "accommodation" to the Palestinians who have been live there for several millennia. He tries to justify the Jewish connection to the land, while ignoring the Palestinian's equally strong connection and all of his "history" is told from the Jewish perspective (not surprising as it is the "winners" who write history!) The more I read, the angrier I got - I've lived in Palestine as a human rights observer and he barely mentions the indignities that I witnessed on a daily basis. Had he written this book as a "point/counterpoint" with a Palestinian perspective added to his, I might have been able to read it - but as it stands, no thank you!!

[Naama · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, there wasn’t much new in YKH’s words – part history part musing - they seemed very familiar. Yet, I was impressed by the eloquence with which he put together all those heartfelt thoughts and feelings.

YKH’s letters, in nutshell, seemed to boil down to the following pleas:

Please recognize that we are a nation, not just a religion, but that either way, Israel is an inextricable part of our peoplehood and religion.

Please recognize our 2000-year long connection to the land and our undying love for it. Zionism is neither racism nor colonialism.

We don’t want to lord over you. We do recognize your connection to the land and would be more than willing to work out a 2-state solution, as difficult as it would be to give up any part of Judea and Samaria, but we need to be convinced that it won’t be just a stepping-stone to our destruction. So, please consider a paradigm shift where you stop viewing us as a cancer that must be cut out from the land and accept us as neighbors instead.

[Sleepless Dreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I found this in the library in my Jewish summer camp and finished it (can we talk about how all my campers read all the time and I love them all?).

Anyway, I found the writing beautiful. It's a succinct description of the Israeli side of the conflict, I recommend this for people who aren't familiar with it.

Other than that, this book felt like a missed opportunity. One of my favorite books (and possibly the best I've read about Israel and Judaism) is Letters to Thalia. It's powerful because you hear all the voices, all the sides and their conversation.

Instead of that, this book is one sided. It could have been such a beautiful discussion, I desperately wanted to read a Palestinian answer and Halevi's response to it. The author claims to have many Palestinian friends, I don't see why he couldn't include them.

I found a response from Raja (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/24/bo...) and found it annoying. It doesn't address anything relevant other than pointing out that yes, Halevi is essentially writing to himself. I wished it would have more meat to it, take the time to refute the comments.

Anyway this was a nice read but damn, I'm becoming late!



I want to try and summarize experiences from camp here so this is entirely irrelevant to the book but hey, read on to see how I'm dealing with a gang of 15 year olds. Also, rumor has it campers like to stalk counselors once the summer is over but I like to think I'm hard to stalk so dear campers, if you somehow found this, I congratulate you.

- One of my campers is just figuring out they might be nonbinary and I am so insanely thrilled to be among the first they've told.
- My rosh eidah (aka senior counselor that's responsible for me) has started to ignore me (to the point where he simply will not give me important information). I'm not sure why but at this point, I can't wait to see how we're going to survive this summer. Cause hey, if you can't beat it, find the humor in it.
- Godammit, Americans can't fathom the idea of someone like me working out and not being invested in losing weight.
- On the topic, I'm much more Israeli than I am American and it took being here again to truly understand that my chaos is Israeli, my communication style is Israeli, I'm not such a big fan of how Americans do things.
- Week two and I've only cursed once in front of the kids! (During Shabbat services, a spider crawled into the dreadlocks of the girl in front of me. When I tried to take it out, it literally flew at me and I whispered FUCK. I'd like to believe they didn't notice).
- The art teacher is incredibly terrifying. Today she misgendered me in front of all the kids. Now, as a role model, I had to correct her and dear god, it was so scary. She's so intimidating. However, she then apologized so much and asked for clarification and man, I judge people too quickly.
- I thought being in the states would make my American English accent stronger but instead, when I spoke Hebrew today my voice had the slightest tinge of America in it and I want to cry.
- There's a group of 15 year old guys who all know my name due to an activity we did but I don't know their names and confuse all of them. Every conversation is a mess.

[Zuzana Kubáň · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I appreciate the author’s effort to reach out to his “neighbor” and the commitment to take the book as a letter seriously and engage with any Palestinians who might reply to this book, I am not sure if the book can fulfill the goal of being a “dialogue starter”. The main reason for this is simply that the author was still being patronizing, blaming Palestinians and presenting strongly pro-Israeli views.

[Clif Hostetler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book consists of ten open letters addressed to anonymous Palestinian neighbor(s) asking for empathy and understanding of the aspirations for Jewish peoplehood represented by the nation of Israel. The author pauses from time to time in his writing to acknowledge similar aspirations on the part of the Palestinians.

Each of the ten chapters (a.k.a. letters) takes on a different aspect of the centuries-long discord between Arabs and Jews. The book's narrative moves from personal reflections and memories to larger existential issues and historical overviews. One repeated theme is the "need to challenge the stories we tell about each other, which have taken hold in our societies." The Israeli story of faith, exile and redemption through Zion clashes with and the Arabic "counter-story of invasions, occupation, and expulsion." "To you we are colonialists, Crusaders," and to us you are the latest genocidal enemy seeking to destroy the Jewish people."

The author calls for all sides to to listen to the dueling narratives of "two traumatized peoples." It's a call also directed to the Israeli side and to which he suggests they should feel compelled to understand because, “The insistence on empathy with the stranger appears with greater frequency in the Torah than any other verse—including commandments to observe the Sabbath and keep kosher.” From other sources I've read that there are 52 references to being good to aliens in the Pentateuch. I've also been told that there are over 200 references in Pentateuch of “because we were aliens in Egypt.” But the book's narrative isn't all theology—political realities are named and acknowledged.

The author deserves some credit for expressions of interest and understanding of religious faiths other than his own as expressed in his previously written a book titled “At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Jew’s Search for Hope With Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land.” Thus as he delves into the emotional aspects of being Jewish, he also tries to demonstrate reciprocal empathy of the Palestinians being addressed.

The message of this book carries an authentic tone of sincerity. However, any message coming from the Israeli side may be interpreted by some as condescension since it's coming from the side that possesses political and military power. Thus I have provided the following link in which a Palestinian responds to "His Israeli Neighbor."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/24/bo...

[Pankaj · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started this book hoping to discover a true appreciation and understanding of the “other” by each side. Perhaps my own unconscious biases clouded over my reading of this author’s work.
It appeared, to me, that the author was setting out from a position of moral superiority deigning to reach down to elevate the other side. At the very outset, he starts by painting a vivid, personalized picture of the Israeli kids who died by acts of Palestinian terrorists while introducing the Palestinian kids as Molotov cocktail throwing mobs! It just carries on in the same vein. Israel has suffered so much, because of what you do neighbour, yet I am trying to understand your actions!
I tried hard to stick through with the narrative but gave up, in frustration and disappointment that until religion/faith and politics are separated, humans will continue to get sucked into this abyss that we have created for ourselves.

[Overbooked ✎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit that it was with some skepticism that I picked up this book, but am very happy to have read it. I applaud the author for his efforts in extending a hand in peace to his Palestinian neighbor. Halevi’s 10 open letters seems to me a genuine conciliatory gesture, when he says:

Neither of us is likely to convince the other of each side’s narrative. Each of us lives within a story so deeply rooted in our being, so defining of our collective and personal existence, that forfeiting our respective narratives would be a betrayal. But we need to challenge the stories we tell about each other, which have taken hold in our societies. We have imposed our worst historical nightmares on the other. To you we are colonialists, Crusaders. And to us you are the latest genocidal enemy seeking to destroy the Jewish people. Can we, instead, see each other as two traumatized peoples, each clinging to the same sliver of land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, neither of whom will find peace or justice until we make our peace with the other’s claim to justice?

I am neither Jewish not Arab, I know the wounds of the people of the Middle East are deep and that the underlying issues leading to the current situation are complex. I personally learned a lot from it, and in this sense, for me, it was important an eye opener.

It seems to me that this book is a welcome step in the right direction. Dialogue is defined as a conversation with two (or more) voices, though. I would love to read book with the same premises that would present the Palestinian perspective on the issues raised by Halevi.
I’d encourage everyone to read this book not to find faults but keeping an open mind.

Fav. Quotes:

Interacting with believers of different faiths creates religious humility, recognition that truth and holiness aren’t confined to any one path. I cherish Judaism as my language of intimacy with God; but God speaks many languages.

To live, we must learn to live together.

I respect your right to define yourself, and I insist on the same right. That is the way to peace.

[Nicole B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing letters from an Israeli supposedly actively involved in reconciliation efforts that came across as preachy and holier than thou... :/

[Rama · Rating 1 out of 5]

“In my most intimate conversation with God, I am hoping to speak to you.”

THIS HAD SO MUCH PROMISE. Unfortunately it fell short. Instead of being the flip side of the Palestinian struggle (Jewish guilt from those not associating with the Israeli government tactics) all it did was point fingers at the Palestinian government and blame Yasser Arafat for refusing a peace settlement which wasn’t even really a peace settlement.

It was very much written in a holier-than-thou narrative style, and focused SO much on the Jews who were hurt by the occupation (by -hello? The opposition of the Palestinians, who were at a disproportionately higher risk of death and injury)and the turmoil that followed. Of course I want the people of Jewish faith to have a safe space to worship, and a way for them to return to the origin they believe is rightfully theirs, everybody deserves to follow their divine forces in a way that feels right to them. It’s completely unfair that Jews face the majority of racial discrimination in a lot of places, and we need to work harder at separating Jews from Zionists. On that note, I disagree with the sometimes-cited notion that all Jews support Israel and need to be kicked out (go where exactly?). The argument here is not Jews suck and Palestinians should get rid of them- it’s “ stop violating human rights and killing children for land that’s already the majority yours, and that you acquired due to Western Guilt following the world war.” It’s so easy for this author to speak on the “Jewish struggle” by having a one-off chapter on how he “understands Palestinians”, then following up with zero self-awareness.

Peace is only afforded by justice, not by some last-ditch attempt at “understanding each other through literature”. Women and children and families are dying, a poem is not going to bring them back from the grave, decisions at the legislative level are. This Zionist propaganda only furthers the anti-Palestinian agenda and further polarizes those without roots to either side, often distorting facts and ignoring clear violations of human rights.

On a positive note, the ties between Islam and Judaism were really well-illustrated, the first chapter was stunning, and it definitely did serve me well to at least see what the opposing perspective is.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

To doubt the possibility of reconciliation is to limit God’s power, the possibility of miracle—especially in this land. The Torah commands me, “Seek peace and pursue it”—even when peace appears impossible, perhaps especially then. (p. 19).

My family has lived in the US for fewer than 125 years, yet Ireland (where most of my father's family comes from) and Germany (my mother's family) barely touch me. My grandfather, whose older sisters were born in Germany, spoke only a wee bit of German around us, and we never ate German foods. I never saw "Ireland" from my other grandparents, only a vague, half-serious yearning to see Ireland. I saw it more in their love of words, their emotional cut-offs when angry.

In Yossi Klein Halevi's Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor there is a much greater sense of history than my family has, than most of us in the US have. Here, an old house is 100 years old. 9/11 touches us, but not the Depression. We talk about veterans of wars, but not the wars and their impact on our country. Halevi talks of the Holocaust, but also wars and decisions throughout the 20th century – and yearnings over the last two or three millennia. His language is often passionate and poetic as he talks about the past, which is alive and tightly intertwined with the present.

In that context, Halevi can see the conflict between Jew and Arab and understand it. Both Israelis, at least Jewish Israelis, and Palestinians feel that they have the high ground. Halevi instead looks for the common ground. He suggests that we need to separate the abstract justness of the entire claim [for Israel, for Palestine] from the practical injustice of its fulfillment (p. 123).

I have great sympathy for Israel, but when I read about the politics of Israel and Palestine – General's Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine or My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel, I end up flipping back and forth between Israel and the Palestinians. There are no devils and heroes here, just men and women making poor decisions in the name of righteousness (and good decisions, too).

Pushed into a corner, we don’t respond with flexibility or contrition; we move into survival mode. The war against Israel’s legitimacy reinforces our obtuseness. If the anti-Israel criticism is so shrill, then we absolve ourselves of the need to take any criticism seriously. For a people that prides itself on its millennia-old ethical code, that believes in penitence and self-examination, this is a spiritual crisis. (p. 186)

It's hard to read these books (and Muslim writers, too) without wanting to sit both parties across the table from each other, to engage in some family therapy and get past the mess both sides are enmeshed in. Both sides have valid points that get lost in their arguments.

One of the main obstacles to peace is an inability to hear the other side’s story. Halevi wants to have this story heard and is offering Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor in Arabic translation for free downloading. I hope it is downloaded and read thousands of times. I hope that both Arabs and Jews listen to his words and take them seriously.

[Laila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was profoundly moved by this book. Many times, I had to put it down, just to breathe or else just let a tear or two drops onto my cheeks as I read between pages. This author bares his heart and soul to his “neighbour” something that involve vulnerability with the hope that his neighbour will ignore her/his prejudice and reads it with goodwill and openness.
Some issues that I want to address in this book:
1) Why address the Arab neighbour as Palestinian? I notice the acceptable generalization that all “Palestinians” are Arabs even from those who should know better i.e. the intellectuals. So, what do you call the Jews who never left the land ever since the mass expulsions from the Babylonian era, Roman era, Crusader era, Muslim era and the brief British era? Hard to believe but small number of Jews did stay on and historical records back that up. Aren’t these Jews who remained also ought to be address as Palestinians too? If not, why not? There’s a sports slang called a ball-hog. It is a term used to describe a player who handles the ball exclusively. It seems to me the Arab hog the ball, and no one dare to question as to why and how come, and simply accept the fact as the way it is. Isn’t that a curious thing?
2) The author appeals to his neighbour for an open dialogue that may leads to end this protected limbo of their competing claims. But has anyone noticed, particularly since 1948, that Israel is the only party that is eager to extend the olive branch toward the Arab-Palestinian? Alas the gestures never been reciprocated. I think it is a gross injustice for the international community’s failures to make the Arab-Palestinian leaderships, from Arafat to Abbas accountable for their rejectionist stance. Why is it not obvious to everybody that the reason why “Palestinians” are still stateless is due to its’ own leaders’ rejectionist stance. Ironically, it is Israel that always gets the blame for the statelessness of the Arab-Palestinians. So, what’s really at play here? One is either blind to facts and truth or there’s handsome profit to be made for the conflict to remain at it is at the expense of Israel’s desire to resolve the conflict once and for all.
3) I disagree with this author who gives too much weight to the Muslims’ claim to Jerusalem and Judaism’s holy sites. It sounds like appeasement (with good intention of course) and as history of this conflict could attest, appeasement of any forms is yet to bear good fruits—hence my skepticism.
This might be off topic, but reading this book got me thinking. In my opinion, Islam is not an authentic Abrahamic religion. Judeo-Christianity is the continuation of Judaism that centre on a Jewish story which both followers waiting with anticipation of the Messiah: one the coming and the other the returning. On the other hand, Islam is a religion that Arab-ized essentially a Jewish story with the addition of Muhammad—an Arab—as “the last prophet.” To be part of Abrahamic religion, I think, Islam must first acknowledge a Jewish story as its foundation which isn’t the case. And the only link to Abrahamic that I can think of was Ishmael and he wasn’t part of a Jewish story. So there.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

After hearing an interview with the author, I got the book. The interview was better than the book.

One strength of the book was insight in some moments of what it feels like to be a Jew, what 2000 years of longing for return to "Zion" mean to at least one man. One weakness is the residual of rationalization and self justification that intrudes, more early on than later.

(Disclaimer: I am neither Jewish nor Palestinian)

In the early chapters there were moments of acknowledging Palestinian pain. I found these more token than convincing (though I plan to read the prior book about traveling and listening to Palestinians--At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden--ETA title). I could not imagine a Palestinian reading them and saying, "Yes, he gets it."However, later his discussion of the Arab Israelis is more nuanced.

In claiming that both sides need to compromise, Halevi makes what I see as a false equivalence. A two state solution would be a compromise for the Palestinian because they want it all; it would be a compromise for the Israelis because they also want it all. However, I see quite a difference between having longed for it all for 2000 years against having actually lived in it recently. The Israeli compromise involves giving up a dream; the Palestinian compromise involves giving up what was once, recently, a reality.

It got me thinking about the right of return. How long does that last? Is it the same for the diaspora Jew who wants to return after 2000 years as for the Palestinian who wants to return to the house they built? For that matter how does it apply to Native Americans forced off their lands and into reservations? On the subject of Native Americans, I began to feel their link with the land as I read Halevi's attachment to Zion, the geographical space.

The ending chapters were more satisfactory than the earlier ones. Halevi explains the complexity that is current Israel with returning peoples who have developed such varied approaches to being. He also honestly explores ranking among the various returnees and seeks resolution. As I read his struggle to see what mattered against what might not, I had thoughts of Ecumenism in the Protestant denominations. That image continued as I read the chapter on the different origin narratives of Jew and Arab. Could their expression possibly ever be the yin and yang of one identity as people of the book?

[nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yossi Klein Halevi’s prose is, at times, really quite beautiful, capturing his deep love for Judaism, Jewish civilization, and, most of all, the Jewish people. I appreciate his argument that Jews need to find ways to educate non-Jews about Jewish history, identity, and culture, to get people to see Judaism as an ethno-religion, not merely a faith or an ethnic group. There were moments where I was genuinely moved by his writing.

However, the book is often patronizing and often plays fast and loose with historical occurrences. Also, the lack of citations really bothered me. Any book that is diving into the debates around the history of Israel, Palestine, and Zionism should be able to defend its claims with sources.

Halevi has a lot to say about Hamas and Hezbollah and their missile attacks, but little to say about Israeli state violence. He often ignores or excuses the brutality of the IDF, especially against Palestinians in the West Bank. Israeli political violence seems to be justified, even moral, while Palestinian political violence is viewed as terrorism. The smug moral superiority of this view is infuriating.

Halevi’s version of Zionism is rooted in entitlement. On pg. 106, he writes: “I believe deeply in our historical and religious claim to Hebron—to all the land of Israel between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.” But, he’s so magnanimous that he’ll allow the land to be partitioned for the sake of peace, as if letting the Palestinians have any part of *their* historical homeland is generous. What about the claims of the Palestinian people to the land? Why do the claims of 2,000 years ago seemingly, without question, trump those who lived there more recently? If Halevi wants to claim Jewish indigeneity, he needs to reckon with the fact that Israel’s founding was not an ethical way of enacting a “Land Back” movement. The historical wrong of Roman conquest does not justify the mass displacement and oppression of Palestinians in the 20th and 21st centuries. The inability to clearly think through the violence of Israel’s founding and the traumas it has engendered is maddening.

“How can a foreign name be imposed on my beloved land?” (pg. 119), plays into the idea that the land was somehow empty, that there is no such thing as Palestine or Palestinians. Do we really think this is a winning strategy? I can’t believe so many people have recommended me this book. So disappointing…

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An experienced journalist, religious Jew supporter of the two-state solution with knowledge of the Palestinian society and Islam, Yossi Klein Halevi wrote a wise book aimed at explaining Zionism to the 'Palestinian Neighbor'. In a poetic language, infused with wisdom and moderation, he is offering his version, neither right or left.

The book - that will soon be translated into Arabic - is a confession - 'sharing my faith and my story' - from the bottom of the heart and I wonder if or ever we will ever experience such an open testimony from the Palestinian side. I would be really happy and curious to read such an account.

'I see your present in this land as an essential part of its being', he is writing to his 'neighbor' that brainwashed by the ideological rulers is inclined to think that rather the Jewish neighbors do not need to live in their ancestral land any more. Despite the obvious conflict of narratives, Halevi shows that it might be a common language of understanding, which may lead, one day, to a wise life under the same generous sun.

As neighbours, we don't have to love each other or be the best friends in the world, but at least to learn how to not harm each other in any possible way. Unless the two of them are not using the same language and are willing to talk and stop hating the other. After all, you only have one beautiful house to share.

An inspirational reading for the moderates of heart and mind.

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Catherine Richmond]

This book should have been subtitled "and the rest of the world." Its concise and well-written history of Israel and the conflict with Palestinians demonstrate the subtleties and challenges of peace.

I appreciate the author mentioning Amos Oz, but I was surprised he didn't mention Sari Nusseibeh. His autobiography, Once Upon a Country: A Palestinian Life, gives a much-needed Palestinian perspective and the viewpoint of one who is working for peace.

[em :-) · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is.....interesting! blind read and it's really just spewing on and on about how jewish people (kind of) deserve the land of judea more than palestinian people

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, Yossi Klein Halevi intends to break the silence between Israelis and Palestinians. The book details different viewpoints from both sides of the conflict, as well as the author’s own viewpoint and personal story, all in an attempt to explain the Israeli side of the conflict to Palestinians, while staying sympathetic to both sides. The author, being Jewish and living in Israel, takes a stance that is more in favor of Israel, but in support of a two-state solution.
The book was written as a “letter” to a supposed “neighbor” that represents those living in the West Bank. More specifically, the neighbor represents the houses that the author is able to see from his house that borders the West Bank. In the writing, the author directly addresses the reader, as if they are the “neighbor” he is talking about, making the book feel very personal. This book makes an attempt to fully explain the author’s perspective on the Israel-Palestine conflict, by explaining multiple views from the pro-Israel side and by sympathizing with the Palestinian neighbor’s vies. Overall, this book does a good job in explaining the conflict better and in offering those in support of a Palestinian state a wider range of knowledge to constitute their political ideology.
Personally, as someone who identifies as a Zionist and is very strong in his stance in support of a Jewish state in Israel, this book helped me further understand and sympathize with the Palestinian argument. From reading, I learned much more about how Palestinians view the conflict, yet from a standpoint that I feel comfortable listening to. Still, I believe that this book could have been stronger in explaining both sides if it included letters coming from the “neighbor” instead of just the author. While the book is intended to be a message from an Israeli to a Palestinian, in which the Israeli shows support for the Palestinian, I believe the book would do better in spreading the message if it included letters from both sides. Aside from this, I believe that this is a fantastic book and a must-read for anyone interested in this topic. Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor captures the emotion felt on both sides of the conflict, as well as gives a sympathetic view to both Israelis and Palestinians, and sympathy is crucial in solving this issue.

[Mindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Am sympathetic to the author's views, but was perplexed as to who would really read this. I knew most (not all) of the facts, and thought most people knowledgeable about Israeli history would not find much new. Did his intended audience (his "Palestinian neighbors") read it, and how convincing would it be for them? Not really sure.

[Kats · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are few things in the world today more complicated than establishing and keeping peace in the Middle East (though we were led to believe that Jared Kushner was going to sort it out in a matter of weeks, ha!).

The Jewish-Palestinian situation in Israel has certainly had more downs than ups over the last 60 years, but Halevi's collection of open letters is as educational as it is thought-provoking and inspiring. It's truly a peace offering; a literary olive branch extended to his neighbours with whom he wants to have a peaceful co-existence based on mutual respect and empathy.

Halevi's own life journey is fascinating and adds plenty to illustrate his changing perspectives over the years. I applaud him for putting this book out into the world and hope that it will be read by many people, of any kind of religion, race or nationality, but particularly by his neighbours to whom the letters are addressed.

4.5 stars

[Margaret Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read on Israel, ever. Quite simply it is a love poem, written in the form of letters to his Palestinian neighbor who he can see from his porch. He manages to hold his audience throughout as he explains the complex history of Israel--both the land, the people and the state. Just 10 letters. Often with a focus on Jewish holidays. Tisha B'av (timing on this was perfect for me as we approach that next week) with its mourning and hope. Sukkot with its vulnerability, universalism and prayers for peace. Purim with the fears that we may yet be destroyed again balanced with Passover where we are commanded to love the stranger because we were strangers in the land of Egypt. This book mirrors my hopes, my fears, my passion.

[Patty Shlonsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor is a thoughtful and thought provoking narrative on the importance of Israel to Jews and Palestinians, the need for a two state solution and the complexity of the Palestinian Israeli relationship. The book provides some historical and contemporary perspective and made me want to learn more about the history described in the book. More importantly the book does an excellent job stressing the importance of understanding and humanity in all things. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in considering all perspectives.

[Inmaculada DeFeo · Rating 2 out of 5]

In many ways I was hoping that he would provide some insight and bring to center the obvious issues in this situation, but he just repeated a lot of the rhetoric I've already heard and don't agree with. Very boring, and very M-E me driven. We get it, still not buying it, sorry.

[Youssef Abdelgawad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Childish logic.

[Peter Eckstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I wrote on Yossi Klein Halevi's Facebook page.

I just finished reading the book. As I read it, my initial cynicism evaporated. You present the Zionist/Jewish dream eloquently. I heard your interview on Unorthodox and understand that you had two audiences in mind - Palestinian and American Jewish. I pray that a heartfelt response will come from a representative of the Palestinian people. However what is crucial is that this book presents an exquisitely humane retelling or our story, in the sense that you embrace the Palestinian narrative in a way we can learn from. It isn't that you accept that retelling, you respect it. and admit that that the truth lies in both narratives, and that is where we must begin on our journey towards peace. I'm a Jewish educator, and I thank you. I hope that other American Jews learn from your humanity.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sincere, imploring, and introspective. I relished the beautiful writing in this series of letters & empathized with both Israelis and Palestinians as I learned more about the conflict that grieves the two cultures/nations.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve never felt such a variety of reactions to a book. At times I empathized with his views, at other times I completely disagreed with him. But through this book I came away with a deeper understanding of the Palestinian Israeli conflict that seemed to be grounded in real practical solutions.

[Tyler Sprouse · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Had to read this for a work event. Z*onism is colonialist and violent. The author wants his “neighbor” to listen to his story while the former’s boot is on the latter’s neck! Free Palestine

[Howard Jaeckel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yossi Klein Halevi’s humanity is evident on every page of “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor.” He is a good man and a beautiful writer.

But I cannot agree, as some have said, that he is an original thinker. For anyone who has closely followed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and knows something of its history, it requires no particular originality to recognize that the claims of both sides have substantial call on justice. As an American Jew and a strong supporter of Israel, I have long appreciated that the Palestinians have a compelling story to tell.

But the fact is I’m no longer interested in hearing it. How can I be, given the Palestinians’ unremitting intransigence, their rejection without counteroffer of generous Israeli proposals for a two-state solution, the Palestinian Authority’s pension payments for the murder of Israeli men, women and children, and the Holocaust denial and gross anti-Semitism of Mahmoud Abbas, the supposedly moderate president of the PA?

Mr. Halevi is keenly aware of all of this and acknowledges that he, too, sometimes no longer wants to listen to the Palestinians. But his book presents itself as an effort to start a dialog between people on the two sides, in the hope that if they can come to understand the perspective of The Other, they will perhaps be able to make the painful sacrifices that will be required by the only possible solution to the conflict – partition of the land that both sides justly believe belongs only to them. Halevi tries at length to explain to his supposed Arab interlocutor how Palestinian actions cause Israelis to despair of the possibility of peace and cause them to view as a fool’s game the making of concessions.

In the conversation between neighbors that he envisions, Halevi makes the Israeli case very effectively. Palestinians, however, have shown absolutely no inclination to hear it. The more useful audience for his book would be liberals (including Jews) who espouse the fashionable and facile belief that peace would be possible but for Israeli intransigence. Although I have often found such attitudes to be impervious to facts and argument, Halevi’s book should make an impression on those with an open mind.

That, however, is not Mr. Halevi’s proclaimed goal. And as a stimulus to revive the moribund “peace process,” his book is likely to have minimal effect. Rather than well-meaning encounters between Israelis and the few, mostly-invisible Palestinians susceptible to being swayed, steady, unrelenting pressure – and the loss of support from the U.S., Europe and Arab countries – is much likelier someday to produce a Palestinian leader willing to run the risks of real peace. To preserve the possibility of a peace settlement for future generations should the Palestinians’ toxic political culture ever yield to pragmatism, Israel should refrain from the construction of new settlements in the West Bank (as opposed to allowing natural growth of existing ones).

Until the advent of that distant day, which neither we nor our children are likely to see, Israel will have to continue living by the sword. Mr. Halevi’s making his book available for free download in Arabic is a nice gesture, but it is not likely to have many takers.

[Cindy H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book eloquent, genuine and very easy to comprehend. Mr. HaLevi is upfront with his readers, staring he is representing his Jewish point of view but he wishes to engage in a real dialogue. I read the new paperback edition that includes several responses from Palestinian readers and other Arab neighbors, so I was able to “hear” from both “sides”. I applaud the initiative Yossi Klein HaLevi undertakes and I respect what all voices have to say. For me, this book was somewhat disheartening because it seems peace is going to be very hard to reach as both Jews and Palestinians are so fundamentally committed to their own narratives that it would be impossible to set aside their beliefs. Yes, there are many paths to compromise and yes both parties would need to relinquish land but I’m not sure either people are willing to disavow their “claims” on “history.”

[Samira · Rating 1 out of 5]

Najzaujimvajsou a asi aj navyvaznejsou castou knihy boli listy citatelov v zavere. Autor v snahe povzniest sa nad narativy oboch taborov, svojmu "susedovi" vysvetluje ten svoj, ktory nazyva legitimny. Kniha je plna historickych zjednoduseni, prechadzajucich az do usmevnych viet typu: Zidia vyhnali britskych kolonizatorov. Autor sa v praxi prezentuje ako zastanca rieseni dvoch statov, ale zjavne, ze o nom nie je vnutorne presvedceny a neveri v jeho spravodlivost. Glosuje aspekty okupacie, spomina, kde vsade Izrael musi zabezpecit lepsie podmienky napr. pre Arabov zijucich v Izraeli, ale takticky opomina realitu vsedneho dna svojho "suseda" v snahe pochopit ho. Na tuto temu bolo napisanych stovky lepsich knih, bez patosu a patronizujuceho tonu.