Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning

This book is a deeply thoughtful exploration of urgent issues. The author's thorough analysis challenges widely held beliefs with striking clarity. His examination of Jewish identity concerning Israeli policies is compelling, necessary, and timely. This is a must-read for anyone seeking insight into history, morality, and politics, especially after Oct 7th.

I was born in Palestine before WW2 to immigrant European parents who fled their homelands as the ground under them began burning. I witnessed the uprising against the British Mandatory Government and lived through the War of Independence and its aftermath— the emptying of Arab villages and their demolition. I served in the IDF during the period of fighting Palestinian ‘infiltrators’ and the surrounding Arab States including the 1956 Sinai Campaign. The Kafr Quasim Massacre took place then. From 1957 to 1964 I was busy studying medicine in the divided Jerusalem. My attention to and involvement with the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict rekindled after the 1967 War when attention shifted back to the Palestinians who came under total Israeli control and had to contend with the swift establishment of Jewish settlement of the West Bank including East Jerusalem. This new, challenging, menacing, politically destructiveand humanly lethal situation has unleashed a spate of books that looked deeply and critically into the origins of the conflict, not least attempting to assign guilt to the opponents of their protagonist. Not many of the books written by Arab authors have been translated into English. But many in Western academia and Israeli ‘New Historians’ who examined released censured articles have concluded that early Jewish immigration to Palestine, and British support for building a Jewish National Home, a euphemism for a Jewish state, have bred among Arab Palestinians anti immigrant opposition bred by genuine fear of losing their land. History has vindicated the Palestinians. Peter Beinart’s new book, 121 pages short, succinctly and brilliantly summarized the antecedents of the conflict assigning the blame correctly on the Zionist movement that conveniently, and misleadingly, claimed its desire for the new Jewish immigrants to live peacefully side-by-side with the Arab Palestinians, adding Soto voce, but only as long as the Jews had 80% majority. I wish Mr. Beinart had spent more time analyzing Vladimir Zabotinsky’s pamphlet “the Iron Wall”. This Pamphlet reveals the mindset of the militant Zionist leaders, their plan of action and what motivates their disciples who now lead Israel, not that labor-led governments did not follow Zionism’s exclusionary geopolitics. Beinart’s primer on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is a vital addition to the burgeoning literature on this topic.

At this painful moment, Peter Beinart is more vital than ever. His reach is broad—from the tragedy of today’s Middle East to the South Africa he knows well to events centuries ago his heart is big. This book is not just about being Jewish in the shadow of today’s war, but about being a person who cares for justice. It is among the most important books written about being Jewish and the awful death and destruction in Gaza.

This is a well written and relatively positive book. It was an extremely fast read and I learned a lot about a number of different people, places and things like the 2nd Boer War and the Siege of Derry. How he managed to pack all of this information in such a small book amazes me. This book is a keeper for me although I'll probably buy another to lend out. It really is that good. I am especially appreciative of the fact that he explained how I could be pro- Jewish, anti- Hamas but not like the current situation in Gaza. It certainly was "a reckoning" for me. It brought a lot of feelings to the surface.

Got a little repetitive after a while. But expanded my perspective.

Every supporter of Israel should read this book carefully. It is full of painful truth culminating in a practical vision of redemption - one that has proven itself many times in regions and periods as contentious as Israel today.

One of the best books written to date on this subject. I do not say this lightly. Peter's style is captivating and offers in depth understanding of what the issues really are . He also offers pathways to peace that only come from dismantling structures of superiority of one over another. He brings it from a true believer in the Jewish faith that you can feel in his passion and deep knowledge of true Judaism. The companion Audible version is an outstanding addition, narrated by Peter himself, like no one else can narrate on this subject. It brings true life and deeper understanding of the discussion

This book should be read by many. It is thought provoking and gives a different perspective on how Jews can feel about Israel and Judism . Thank you for this book