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Book recommendation request: An introduction to the Israeli-Arab conflict for non-academics
Hello,
If this topic came up and such a recommendation has been made, please just point me to that post.
I would like to read an introduction to the Israeli-Arab conflict.
I would like the book:
- to be written by an author with relevant credentials
- to not be written for academics
- to not be written by an Arab, Israeli, or European author
- something that was published before the October 7th invasion of Israel
Thanks much
r/AskHistorians has some recommendations. The top suggestion fails your “no Israeli or Arab” test, but instead embraces a dual narrative with two authors in one book.
I think "On Palestine" Satisfies most of your requirements. It's written by Noam Chomsky (American Linguist) and Ilan Pappe. Ilan Pappe might lead you to disregard the book as he is an Israeli Jew, was in the IDF, and fought in the Yom Kippur War and over his career moved to a much more pro-Palestinian position. It's not for academics and was published in 2015.
This book carries the typical Chomsky lilt, (anti-capitalist, anti-colonialist) so that into account before reading. Chomsky is a pretty divisive author, and understanding the debate around his politics might provide a better lens if you choose to read it. Personally, I appreciate the take from folks that have first hand experience with the IDF, Israel, and how the political situation has progressed in the last 50 years.
Lastly, on your third point, I would amend that to either:
not be written by an Arab, Jewish, or European author or not not be written by a Palestinian/Jewish Israeli or European author.
Arab is an ethnicity, similar to being Jewish, with their own unique diaspora. I think counting out any Arabic authors but not Jewish authors will lead to an unbalanced perspective. Personally I think it's important to get insights from both groups and third parties (hence my recommendation of a book by Jewish authors). But just a reminder that Arab is a very large, non-homogenous ethnic group.
I am curious why you think a European perspective is biased but e.g. an American or Australian one is not.
I would recommend Enemies and Neighbours by Ian Black (he was from the UK, but it's a take which appreciates lots of different perspectives from different groups in the conflict).
For a more general book on Arab history I also like Eugene Rogan's The Arabs.