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A History of Israel
A History of Israel examines Israel's turbulent history from the first Zionist Congress in 1897 to the present day. The driving themes of this masterly account are Jewish immigration, war, and attempts to forge peace between Israelis, Arabs, and Palestinians.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 26, 2023
The book is a good summary of the history of Zionism and the state of Israel from the perspective of a centrist. It is a surprisingly straightforward and fairly honest account of Israel's history that doesn't try to be a propaganda piece, leaving the reader to make their own assessment of the facts.
It's definitely a good starting point for people to begin learning more about the history of occupation and conflict. Some of the exclusive documents such as the USS Liberty attack transcript, the secret Dayan-Tohami meeting in Morocco, a draft of the Israeli-Syrian peace plan, and the role of The Son-in-Law as a double-agent have been very illuminating and are definitely of added value.
Even though I personally hold an anti-Zionist viewpoint, I have to respect Bregman's commitment to providing a balanced account, which I think serves to create a basic understanding of the conflict, prompting the reader to do their own further investigations.
There are however some glaring omissions and interesting edits. The one that I found most interesting was that the author neglected to name the Ha'avara Agreement and chose to not highlight that it was an agreement between the Nazis and the Zionists to relocate Jews to Israel in exchange for Jewish investment. Other omissions and edits are neglecting to refer to the mass Palestinian expulsions in 1948 and 1967 as the Nakba and Naksa respectively, the Tantura massacre, Hajj al-Amine al-Husseini's ties to Hitler (which although is often used to demonize the Palestinian cause, is nevertheless an important piece of information because his role and whether he actually had knowledge about the Holocaust are important to explore, lest dishonest actors like Netanyahu start referring to him as the "architect of the Holocaust" in an act of bad faith "revisionist" history) and referring to Palestine in the early 20th century as a "rocky, uninhabitable terrain" which would've benefitted from a clarification that this impression was due to the first Zionist settlements having been founded in the area south of Jaffa which would've placed them in the perimeter close to the Naqab (Negev) desert.
This is definitely a recommended read but I would recommend not stopping at this book and would lean more towards using it as a springboard to read more books, articles, and watch documentaries about the subject.
It's definitely a good starting point for people to begin learning more about the history of occupation and conflict. Some of the exclusive documents such as the USS Liberty attack transcript, the secret Dayan-Tohami meeting in Morocco, a draft of the Israeli-Syrian peace plan, and the role of The Son-in-Law as a double-agent have been very illuminating and are definitely of added value.
Even though I personally hold an anti-Zionist viewpoint, I have to respect Bregman's commitment to providing a balanced account, which I think serves to create a basic understanding of the conflict, prompting the reader to do their own further investigations.
There are however some glaring omissions and interesting edits. The one that I found most interesting was that the author neglected to name the Ha'avara Agreement and chose to not highlight that it was an agreement between the Nazis and the Zionists to relocate Jews to Israel in exchange for Jewish investment. Other omissions and edits are neglecting to refer to the mass Palestinian expulsions in 1948 and 1967 as the Nakba and Naksa respectively, the Tantura massacre, Hajj al-Amine al-Husseini's ties to Hitler (which although is often used to demonize the Palestinian cause, is nevertheless an important piece of information because his role and whether he actually had knowledge about the Holocaust are important to explore, lest dishonest actors like Netanyahu start referring to him as the "architect of the Holocaust" in an act of bad faith "revisionist" history) and referring to Palestine in the early 20th century as a "rocky, uninhabitable terrain" which would've benefitted from a clarification that this impression was due to the first Zionist settlements having been founded in the area south of Jaffa which would've placed them in the perimeter close to the Naqab (Negev) desert.
This is definitely a recommended read but I would recommend not stopping at this book and would lean more towards using it as a springboard to read more books, articles, and watch documentaries about the subject.
December 8, 2023
A History of Israel
I am reading A History of Israel and other books to better understand the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a historical perspective. The book runs from the beginnings of modern Zionism in the 1800s through ~2001. The author grew up in Israel, served in the IDF, and is currently an academic in the UK.
As I’m only beginning to learn this history, it’s hard for me to know what might have been left out or glossed over. The author was definitely critical of Israel at times, but it was also clear that the book was written from the point of view of an (former) Israeli. Regardless, there was a lot of great information that helped me to better understand the continual conflict and violence in the area. Here are just a few examples…
The first and second Aliyahs, or movement of Jewish people to Israel, happened as a result of violence in Russia and elsewhere. When the first wave of people came, the book mentions many difficulties including opposition by Ottomans and local Arabs. On p12, discussing the settlers of the second Aliyah,
"Ha'shomer (The Watchmen) … they wished to make a complete break with their Diaspora past and their representation as non-fighters … generating a mental transformation by showing that Jews, who for generations had been the victims of violence and abuse, could fend for themselves and defend their lives and property by force.". These lines suggest a group perennially oppressed and degraded who were not going to take that treatment anymore.
I also learned that the two state solution was born out of an assessment by the British Lord Peel In the 1930s. During this time, Palestine was managed by the British as part of the British Mandate. There was growing violence between Arabs and Jews at the time, so Britain sent Peel to try to sort out the best solution to the problematic situation. He determined that the Jewish claim to Palestine based on history and religion and the Arab claim on Palestine based on continuous occupation were both valid. Peel then suggested the creation of both Jewish and Arab states within Palestine, with a middle section including Jerusalem to remain under British Mandate control.
In 1939, Britain drastically limited the number of Jewish immigrants into and the sale of land to Jews in Palestine, right at the time when Nazi persecution of Jews was increasing in Germany. Nonetheless, the Jewish people of Palestine fought with Britain against the Nazis. This was important context for me to understand the militancy of current Israel. When a group of people is abandoned so many times, they grow distrustful and feel they must rely on themselves (for security, etc.).
The 1940s were complex in Palestine. They were shifting allegiances and a push and pull, fueled by events on the ground. In the end, the British left, Israel announced a nation, Arab countries attacked, Israel repelled them and took over land beyond what was allotted to them in 1947 UN plan. A subsequent Armistice (1948/49) cemented these new borders with Israel's neighbors. Large numbers of Arab citizens left Palestine during the 1940s due to violence and psychological warfare (read about the use of loudspeakers online). Called Nakba in Arabic (catastrophe), this is something that was not well covered in this book. After the Armistice, many thousands of Jewish refugees, including thousands Holocaust survivors, were aided in their immigration to the new UN-recognized nation of Israel. Many came with nothing and were given housing in those same buildings that the Arabs left, thus creating a major stumbling block to Palestinian Arabs ever returning to their homes. Of course, Israel bulldozed a number of Arab villages as well, and this cannot be ignored. When considering a 'right of return', knowing the historical background is important. I hope to eventually read “The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine” by Ilan Pappe to gain more perspective.
I also learned of the religious underpinnings of expanding the state of Israel. Israeli settlements also have a long history, dating back to the 1930s (ex., p 31, 32). In the 1970/80s when the Labor and Likud parties were at a stalemate, they had to enlist smaller religious parties into their coalitions to win majorities. Concessions had to be made which transformed a more secular Israel into a more religious one. Some of these religious groups were strongly Zionist from a religious perspective that I admit I don't fully understand. I guess I always knew that religion drove many of the issues in the Middle East, but the idea that maintaining the whole of current Israel had particular religious importance was driven home by this book, and is one reason (of many) why peace initiatives in the 1990s were so difficult.
Again, one thing that this book lacked was the Arab Palestinian perspective. The author is a (former) Israeli, so I understand this. Although the author was not as biased as some I imagine, I am now moving on to read books from Palestinian authors to get a better feel for all sides of these complex issues. My rating of this book was not based on what it lacked, rather what I learned from the personal point of view of the author.
I am reading A History of Israel and other books to better understand the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a historical perspective. The book runs from the beginnings of modern Zionism in the 1800s through ~2001. The author grew up in Israel, served in the IDF, and is currently an academic in the UK.
As I’m only beginning to learn this history, it’s hard for me to know what might have been left out or glossed over. The author was definitely critical of Israel at times, but it was also clear that the book was written from the point of view of an (former) Israeli. Regardless, there was a lot of great information that helped me to better understand the continual conflict and violence in the area. Here are just a few examples…
The first and second Aliyahs, or movement of Jewish people to Israel, happened as a result of violence in Russia and elsewhere. When the first wave of people came, the book mentions many difficulties including opposition by Ottomans and local Arabs. On p12, discussing the settlers of the second Aliyah,
"Ha'shomer (The Watchmen) … they wished to make a complete break with their Diaspora past and their representation as non-fighters … generating a mental transformation by showing that Jews, who for generations had been the victims of violence and abuse, could fend for themselves and defend their lives and property by force.". These lines suggest a group perennially oppressed and degraded who were not going to take that treatment anymore.
I also learned that the two state solution was born out of an assessment by the British Lord Peel In the 1930s. During this time, Palestine was managed by the British as part of the British Mandate. There was growing violence between Arabs and Jews at the time, so Britain sent Peel to try to sort out the best solution to the problematic situation. He determined that the Jewish claim to Palestine based on history and religion and the Arab claim on Palestine based on continuous occupation were both valid. Peel then suggested the creation of both Jewish and Arab states within Palestine, with a middle section including Jerusalem to remain under British Mandate control.
In 1939, Britain drastically limited the number of Jewish immigrants into and the sale of land to Jews in Palestine, right at the time when Nazi persecution of Jews was increasing in Germany. Nonetheless, the Jewish people of Palestine fought with Britain against the Nazis. This was important context for me to understand the militancy of current Israel. When a group of people is abandoned so many times, they grow distrustful and feel they must rely on themselves (for security, etc.).
The 1940s were complex in Palestine. They were shifting allegiances and a push and pull, fueled by events on the ground. In the end, the British left, Israel announced a nation, Arab countries attacked, Israel repelled them and took over land beyond what was allotted to them in 1947 UN plan. A subsequent Armistice (1948/49) cemented these new borders with Israel's neighbors. Large numbers of Arab citizens left Palestine during the 1940s due to violence and psychological warfare (read about the use of loudspeakers online). Called Nakba in Arabic (catastrophe), this is something that was not well covered in this book. After the Armistice, many thousands of Jewish refugees, including thousands Holocaust survivors, were aided in their immigration to the new UN-recognized nation of Israel. Many came with nothing and were given housing in those same buildings that the Arabs left, thus creating a major stumbling block to Palestinian Arabs ever returning to their homes. Of course, Israel bulldozed a number of Arab villages as well, and this cannot be ignored. When considering a 'right of return', knowing the historical background is important. I hope to eventually read “The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine” by Ilan Pappe to gain more perspective.
I also learned of the religious underpinnings of expanding the state of Israel. Israeli settlements also have a long history, dating back to the 1930s (ex., p 31, 32). In the 1970/80s when the Labor and Likud parties were at a stalemate, they had to enlist smaller religious parties into their coalitions to win majorities. Concessions had to be made which transformed a more secular Israel into a more religious one. Some of these religious groups were strongly Zionist from a religious perspective that I admit I don't fully understand. I guess I always knew that religion drove many of the issues in the Middle East, but the idea that maintaining the whole of current Israel had particular religious importance was driven home by this book, and is one reason (of many) why peace initiatives in the 1990s were so difficult.
Again, one thing that this book lacked was the Arab Palestinian perspective. The author is a (former) Israeli, so I understand this. Although the author was not as biased as some I imagine, I am now moving on to read books from Palestinian authors to get a better feel for all sides of these complex issues. My rating of this book was not based on what it lacked, rather what I learned from the personal point of view of the author.
February 11, 2019
I picked this because of some historical references in a book of fiction and I wanted to learn more about the start of the state of Israel. This book gives an overview of some of the efforts that led to the UN resolution, among other things, that founded the country. It also covers some of the early history and fighting both externally with neighboring Arab states, and some of the internal politics between the parties. I skimmed the last couple chapters that I was a little more familiar with, which focused on the numerous attempts and failures at achieving peace.
December 31, 2023
围绕战争、移民和为巴以和平进程而努力的以色列建国史。……“1993年9月13日，拉宾在演讲中说道：我们注定要生活在一起，生活在同一个地方的同一块土地中。我们，是从血肉横飞的战场上下来的士兵，我们的亲人和朋友在我们眼前被杀，我们参加过死者的葬礼，我们不敢看那些父母和孤儿的眼睛，我们来自一个父母埋葬孩子的地方，我们曾经与你们战斗，巴勒斯坦人。今天，我们要响亮、清楚地对你们说：鲜血和眼泪已经流得太多了。够了。我们对你们不怀仇恨。我们不想报复。我们和你们一样，是些想建造一座房屋、种植一棵树的人，是些想爱的人，想和你们生活在一起的人——有尊严地，满怀同情地，作为人，作为自由的人。今天，我们给和平一个机会，对你们说：够了。让我们祈祷那一天的到来，那一天我们会说：再见了，武器。”
October 21, 2013
Upon encountering this passage from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's 1993 speech I was quite nearly moved to tears:
"We are destined to live together, on the same soil in the same land.
We, the soldiers who have returned from battle stained with blood,
we who have seen our relatives and friends killed before our eyes,
we who have attended their funerals and cannot look into the eyes
of parents and orphans, we who have come from a land where
parents bury their children, we who have fought against you, the Palestinians -
we say to you today in a loud and clear voice:
Enough of blood and tears. Enough. We harbour no hatred towards
you. We have no desire for revenge. We, like you, are people who
want to build a home, plant a tree, love, live side by side with you
- in dignity, in empathy, a human beings, as free men. We are
today giving peace a chance and saying to you: Enough. Let's pray
that a day will come when we all will say: Farewell to arms."
This is a brilliant survey of Israeli history. I thoroughly enjoy reading it.
"We are destined to live together, on the same soil in the same land.
We, the soldiers who have returned from battle stained with blood,
we who have seen our relatives and friends killed before our eyes,
we who have attended their funerals and cannot look into the eyes
of parents and orphans, we who have come from a land where
parents bury their children, we who have fought against you, the Palestinians -
we say to you today in a loud and clear voice:
Enough of blood and tears. Enough. We harbour no hatred towards
you. We have no desire for revenge. We, like you, are people who
want to build a home, plant a tree, love, live side by side with you
- in dignity, in empathy, a human beings, as free men. We are
today giving peace a chance and saying to you: Enough. Let's pray
that a day will come when we all will say: Farewell to arms."
This is a brilliant survey of Israeli history. I thoroughly enjoy reading it.
January 2, 2021
“我们注定要生活在一起，生活在同一个地方的同一块土地中……今天，我们要响亮、清楚地对你们说：鲜血和眼泪已经流得太多。够了……今天，我们给和平一个机会，对你们说：够了。让我们祈祷那一天的到来，那一天我们会说：再见了，武器。”
May 12, 2016
A nice pamphlet for beginners who want to know the history about Israel.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews