Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
Browse interviews with Arab-Israeli specialists from Stephen Walt to Michael Goldfarb, and read selection of articles and lectures that our specialists have chosen to give an in-depth understanding of the conflict
Israeli academic gives overview of different options for the conflict. Binationalism unrealistic, two state solution not workable. Conclusion seems to be that that stronger conflict management is the only solution....
Seminal piece that argues for binationalism. Israel is 'an oddity among modern nations... because it is a Jewish state in which one community—Jews—is set above others, in an age when that sort of state has no place.'
Professor Duncan Kennedy at Harvard Law School gives, by his own admittance, a 'dystopian' lecture on the two state versus one state solution
Poignant review of David Grossman's novel, To the End of the Land, that so searingly captures the impact of the conflict on the lives of the Israeli people
Academic article that looks at historiography of Israel. Focus on the hardcore neo-Zionist trends that have emerged since 2000
Transcript and video of the Hisham Sharabi Memorial Lecture delivered by John Mearsheimer. Critical reading or listening for those wanting to understand future relationship between Israel and the Occupied Territories
Beautifully written simple 1996 plea from renowned Israeli writer to his Palestinian friends. Still full of hope for legacy of Oslo
Fascinating article in which author speaks to the tunnel operators. Tunnels are Gaza's lifeline to the outside world and are ubiquitous, 'fiancés, livestock, automobiles, and a lion have been brought into Gaza this way'
Crisis Guide - essential backgrounder from the Council of Foreign Relations on the conflict
Article explores whether landlessness is actually a source of power. Statelessness 'permits a people to savor the pleasures of...extremist ideologies, and moral absolutes' without the mundane responsibility of government
Essay on suicide bombers. If we claim their actions are incomprehensible, we dehumanise them, we blind ourselves to their oppression. Better to find a language that will allow us to understand them
Facts, figures, potted history. “A final status agreement has yet to be reached. The main stumbling blocks include the status of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees and Jewish settlements.”
"Time for Israel to come clean about its nuclear weapons capability. Ambiguity has served it well. But if we demand transparency from Iran, we have to require it from other regional powers"
A presciently similar argument to the one made four years later by Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer. 'America's unconditional support for Israel runs counter to the interests of the US and its allies.'
Standard Zionist version of the emergence of the State of Israel in 1948 was selective, simplistic, and self-serving. Since been challenged by a “new school” of historiography, which incorporates more of the Palestinian narrative
Argues that Hamas has grown up and distanced itself from its 1988 uncompromising manifesto. But still maintains disturbing aspects: authoritarian, human rights abuse common, and freedom of expression curtailed in Gaza
Larry Summers wrong to call critics of Israel “anti-semitic in their effect, if not their intent”. Criticism of state policies is political debate, and should not be censored
Palestinian territories descending into chaos. Another uprising likely. Competing political factions see the shedding of Israeli blood as their best way to burnish nationalist credentials
Conversation with ex-head of Mossad. Interesting throughout. "Israel should try to work toward a situation where Hamas would be part of the solution, and not part of the problem"
For older and Orthodox Jewish Americans, and pro-Israel lobbying groups, Israel can do no wrong. But younger and secular Jewish Americans are indifferent, even hostile, to Netanyahu
Vivid thought experiment. Israel isn't two states struggling together, it is five: Gaza, West Bank, Israeli Arabs, ultra-Orthodox Jews, and Jewish democrats. Cut them loose, let fittest survive
“Hamas is a strategic actor that, for all its rough edges, knows how to engage in diplomacy. Its goals might be as belligerent as ever, but its tactics are increasingly pragmatic and effective”
Renewal of Middle East talks offers little hope of lasting peace, but at least the process is right. No interim deals, no partial agreements.
Long, learned, historical survey of relations between Jews and Muslims. 'Times of suffering and danger have alternated with times of achievement and fulfilment. Jews have been respected, admired and emulated.'
Summit made progress, even though it didn’t yield a treaty. 'Taboos were shattered. the unspoken got spoken. Israelis and Palestinians reached an unprecedented level of understanding of what it will take to end their struggle'
