A “fascinating and very moving” (Aaron Sorkin, award-winning screenwriter of The West Wing and The Social Network) chronological timeline spanning from Biblical times to today that explores one of the most interesting countries in the world—Israel.
Israel. The small strip of arid land is 5,700 miles away but remains a hot-button issue and a thorny topic of debate. But while everyone seems to have a strong opinion about Israel, how many people actually know the facts?
Here to fill in the information gap is Israeli American Noa Tishby. But “this is not your Bubbie’s history book” (Bill Maher, host of Real Time with Bill Maher). Instead, offering a fresh, 360-degree view, Tishby brings her “passion, humor, and deep intimacy” (Yossi Klein Halevi, New York Times bestselling author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor) to the subject, creating an accessible and dynamic portrait of a tiny country of outsized relevance. Through bite-sized chunks of history and deeply personal stories, Tishby chronicles her homeland’s evolution, beginning in Biblical times and moving forward to cover everything from WWI to Israel’s creation to the disputes dividing the country today. Tackling popular misconceptions with an abundance of facts, Tishby provides critical context around headline-generating controversies and offers a clear, intimate account of the richly cultured country of Israel.
The conflict is not between the Palestinians and the Israelis. It’s between the Arab world and Israel. Highlighted by 1,112 Kindle readers
The Arabs were also granted a state at the time, but they chose to refuse it and start a war. I heard people call Israel a colonialist state, which is absurd, as it is a refugee state that was decolonized from British rule. I heard some people call Israel an apartheid state, which is also absurd when you know that the third largest political party in Israel is an Arab party. Highlighted by 859 Kindle readers === Product description
About the Author Noa Tishby is the New York Times bestselling author of Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth and
Israel’s former Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism and Delegitimization.
A native of Tel Aviv, she served in the Israeli army before moving to Los Angeles and launching a career in the entertainment industry.
An award-winning producer, Tishby made history with the sale of In Treatment to HBO, the first Israeli television show to become an American series.
One of the most visible activists on social media, Tishby is the founder of several nonprofit organizations, including Act for Israel and Eighteen, which combats antisemitism and inspires Jewish pride.
She lives in Los Angeles and is a proud Jewish mother to her son, Ari.
Publication date : 6 April 2021 Print length : 342 pages 13 in Israeli History
Noa has been a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher and appeared on networks such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox and PBS. She also spoke at the Capitol for a Congressional Hearing on online antisemitism in her capacity as Israel’s first Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, and testified in front of the Committee on Ways and Means about the connection between campus antisemitism and terrorism financing, which was the catalyst for the catastrophic hearing of Harvard Penn and MIT presidents and the following resignation of Harvard’s Gay and Penn’s Magill. Tishby recently addressed members of Congress again in a hearing exposing gender-based violence of the October 7th massacre.
Tishby is the author of the New York Times bestseller Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth and is among the best known pro-Israel figures on social and legacy media, her content reaching millions of people daily across all platforms.
Tishby recently announced her second book: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew, cowritten with NY Times best-selling author Emmanuel Acho, forthcoming from Simon Element, Simon & Schuster, April 30, 2024
Tishby resides in Los Angeles and she is a proud Jewish mother to her son Ari.
“…Tishby has become a dominant and provocative voice on a war that is being fought in the Middle East and also on television, social media, and American streets and college campuses.
She is the voice of this Jewish generation.”
-The NY Times-
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Customers say Customers find this book engaging and well-written, providing a comprehensive discussion of Israel's history. They appreciate its well-researched content, with one customer noting how it helps understand the geopolitical issues. AI Generated from the text of customer reviewsGenerated from the text of customer reviews Select to learn more
Readability(44) Information quality(34) Writing style(15) History(11)
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have always wondered why people dislike Israel and its people so much. This book gave me a a fascinating and interesting tour through the ages providing great context, in a balanced (in my view) way. The author is obviously a very intelligent person with great wit and a very dry and ironic sense of humour. I bought this book, and one about Hamas, so I could be better informed about what is happening in that space; now I feel I am. An excellent read ;-D
This book is essential reading for anyone who 'believes' they already understand the historical time line for Israel, you will, by the end of the book understand your own level of misunderstanding. Thank you so much Noa for having the conviction to write your hook, which should be read by every student in every school around the globe as part of the world history curriculum. I was born in 1959, and to date have witnessed the scope of the hell that both Israel and 'the people's of The West Bank and Gaza have lived through, and can only hope and wish that the 2 state solution will be achieved in my lifetime. = Maria Reynolds
Regrettably the glimmers of hope Noa raises in the book seem to have disappeared.
Nevertheless it is essential reading for someone to understand the issues and challe nges for Israel. I w wish we could force the whole world to read it.
This book is full of facts and figures about the history of Israel interwoven with moving and sometimes funny personal anecdotes. For anyone commenting on social media on the current war or seeking to arm themselves with indisputable facts, I highly recommend this book. It challenges many preconceptions about “the most misunderstood country in the world.”
I got sick of all the criticism being written daily in the papers & decided to learn for my self about the Jews. And what a remarkable race they are! I understand why people have a problem with them, they’re far too honest & decent for most people with a strong sense of right & family. I have huge admiration for this maligned people who too many are jealous of.
What a beautifully written book, taking on the immensely complex subject of Israel and breaking it down to such an understandable level. This book should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in Middle East events or History. Thanks Noa
5.0 out of 5 stars Informativ, unterhaltsam, bewegend
Reviewed in Germany on 9 January 2025 Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Noa Tishby ist sowieso eine tolle Frau, Rednerin und Aktivistin für Israel und in diesem Buch bechreibt sie spannend, unterhaltsam und kompetent die komplexe und hochemotionale Geschichte dieses fantastischen Landes. Authentisch, erhellend und absolut grundlegendes Wissen, empfehlenswert!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars Knowledgable and entertainingReviewed in India on 18 January 2026 Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Excellent book. The author takes the reader through all the arguments placed against Israel and refutes it. This is the book to go to if you want to listen to Israel’s side of the arguments. However, this is written pre October 7 2023, therefore refer to Douglas Murray’s books for a more rounded experience.
5.0 out of 5 stars She is fair, factual, balanced. Provides a lot of necessary information to understandReviewed in Japan on 26 December 2023 Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Noa Tishby has done what so many people have not been able to do. To clearly, factually, and personally explain what Israel is. She does it be writing in a style that average Americans can understand easily. So it is not difficult reading. I encourage people to buy and read this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars An essential read for anyone interested in world peace
Reviewed in Australia on 16 June 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Noa writes in a personal and passionate way and interweaves her personal story into the book.
However, don’t be fooled. This is a serious book, incorporating 3,000 years of history and is as well documented as most serious academic works.
Her style is casual but she is a passionate advocate and relates to her audience, which is basically people who don’t read history.
I learnt a lot from this book and am grateful that Noa wrote it. It is a very readable but major work.
Roger Mendelson
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BSG_Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars Kosher
Reviewed in Australia on 1 June 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have always wondered why people dislike Israel and its people so much. This book gave me a a fascinating and interesting tour through the ages providing great context, in a balanced (in my view) way. The author is obviously a very intelligent person with great wit and a very dry and ironic sense of humour. I bought this book, and one about Hamas, so I could be better informed about what is happening in that space; now I feel I am. An excellent read ;-D
3 people found this helpful
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Punga
5.0 out of 5 stars Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth
Reviewed in Australia on 30 January 2026
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book is essential reading for anyone who 'believes' they already understand the historical time line for Israel, you will, by the end of the book understand your own level of misunderstanding.
Thank you so much Noa for having the conviction to write your hook, which should be read by every student in every school around the globe as part of the world history curriculum.
I was born in 1959, and to date have witnessed the scope of the hell that both Israel and 'the people's of The West Bank and Gaza have lived through, and can only hope and wish that the 2 state solution will be achieved in my lifetime.
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Maria Reynolds
4.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on earth
Reviewed in Australia on 16 December 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Great read. Thank you Noa Tishby for helping me understand why Israel is the Most Misunderstood Country on earth
.
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JOHN MILLS
2.0 out of 5 stars Intention versus Impression
Reviewed in Australia on 16 October 2023
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I have no doubt that the author’s intentions were honourable and wholesome. All authors want to be judged in that light. That goal is successful when the impression matches the intention. And here is the problem with the book.
I have been reading history for decades and have saved those books the intention of which have matched the impression they left with me. I was expecting a serious albeit succinct history of Israel. It wasn’t until page 22 that the history began. Up until then it was a history about the author and I could not resist the feeling (here read impression) that it was unnecessarily self-indulgent and self-promoting.
I acknowledge that the author mentioned that this book was not a history book per se. She is correct. It is a combination of potted history and self-indulgence. I have seen her interviewed and she is indeed a powerful advocate for the Israeli cause. I would recommend she concentrate on that asset rather than her literary tendencies.
Then we have the style of writing. It borders on the conversational but certainly casual. Now, to some that may be appealing but this is not an off-the-cuff chat with a friend in a bar. This is hopefully planned and executed with forethought. So, the use of poor language choices is deliberate and, for me, unacceptable. I am not seeking a conversation with the author but rather a concise history of Israel. That is my mistake as I accepted the reviews as being a book of authority. Others will see this style and friendly, inclusive, hip and slick but smooth. Once again, impression. Mine was superficial, shallow in research, at times off task and occasionally unnecessary.
I wish the author success with the book but I will donate my copy to someone who wants to witness more indulgence than serious history.
6 people found this helpful
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Paul Dow
5.0 out of 5 stars Short history of Israel
Reviewed in Australia on 1 July 2022
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An excellent overview of the history and regional current affairs that influence Israel today. Tied in with Noa’s story it’s an interesting and entertaining read
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WilloWill
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in Australia on 24 September 2024
Format: Audiobook
I bought the audio version read by the author. It is definitely a biased account but still interesting and entertaining.
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Bec Bennett
1.0 out of 5 stars This book will make you laugh, cry and sometimes rage.
Reviewed in Australia on 5 May 2024
Format: Paperback
In a concise and confident manner the author illustrates a clear picture of what is in the hearts and minds of Israelis, and how they justify 75 years of oppression.
She cherry picks events to suit her own one-sided agenda, while simultaneously pitching her own life’s achievements. And the Hollywood elite name-dropping gets old very fast (eye roll).
This book is steeped in racism (referencing the Middle East as a “rough neighbourhood”), while trying to convince you it’s liberal. Icing over mud. With so many events and details being so factually incorrect, it’s definitely a laughable listen.
14 people found this helpful
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Astute Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars A great summary
Reviewed in Australia on 8 September 2023
Format: Paperback
Excellent concise guide to what Israel is, it’s history and the challenges it has faced.
3 people found this helpful
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Susan Dear
1.0 out of 5 stars Propaganda at best
Reviewed in Australia on 2 April 2023
Format: Kindle
The mental gymnastics to justify apartheid and ethnic cleansing is unbelievable.
19 people found this helpful
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Tami
1.0 out of 5 stars No
Reviewed in Australia on 25 May 2024
Format: Kindle
Bias book about israel
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M1
5.0 out of 5 stars Good and informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 February 2026
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Easy to read and very informative.
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Danielle B. Ptak
5.0 out of 5 stars Incrivel
Reviewed in Brazil on 13 October 2021
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Valeu esperar, é best seller!!
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Laura Rebecca Rau
5.0 out of 5 stars Informativ, unterhaltsam, bewegend
E. Wagner
5.0 out of 5 stars Factual, Conversational, Informative
Reviewed in the United States on 30 December 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
If you know nothing about Israel, but want to learn, you should read this book. If you feel you know the story of Israel’s founding, and the facts behind the Palestinian war against Israel, as I did, you still should read this book. I read it at the urging of a friend, and I’m glad I did. When you read Israel, you will feel as if Noa Tishby is sitting on the couch, talking to you. She writes in a very contemporary style, mixing humor with the facts, making this the best book to read about Israel, today. Because her family was involved in the founding of Israel, she offers details you might not read elsewhere. Tishby has written an important book that everyone, but especially high school and college students, should make time to read. It provides an interesting and informative factual balance to the relentless anti-Israel propaganda young people are being assaulted with, today. At the same time, Tishby writes with respect and concern regarding the mistreatment and exploitation of average Palestinians by their leaders.
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William
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting!
Reviewed in Mexico on 19 April 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I bought this book because I will be going to Israel this year and I had only a “vague” idea about this nation... Well, after reading Noa, I realize that my idea of Israel, the Jews, Palestine and the region in general was very distant from reality.
This book has given me a lot of clarity about a region and a country that, at least in Mexico, is not talked about much.
Incredible all the history, characters, wars and tribulations that this nation has been through. I am very excited to visit it even though I know that they are currently going through an internal and external crisis.
I hope this nation can live in peace among its neighbors and I hope this book will help many people to understand this country and its people.
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5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous, insightful easy to understand read!
Reviewed in Canada on 7 April 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
For those who might not know the history of the Middle East, this book gives a great overview and context to what has been happening for years in Israel and the surrounding area. It serves to educate rather than preach, and includes a great comedic tone that helps make this book a terrific easy read. Most people simply argue and take sides without a clear understanding of the conflicts in the Middle East, after reading this book, you will be armed with many insightful comments, arguments and historical facts that will help truly understand the country.
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fontanasteve
5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, illuminating, and thought-provoking.
Reviewed in Spain on 30 November 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I knew a lot already, but Noa's book has added much to my knowledge. Thank you, Noa, for your candour and easily understood writing style.
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YT
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ - An excellent overview and summary of facts
Reviewed in Singapore on 26 June 2021
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A well written factual description of Israel, its history and the main challenges the country faces in the region and globally. Noa Tishby conducted a comprehensive research and provides clarity on many misunderstood topics.
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Ross
5.0 out of 5 stars Great informative book
Reviewed in Germany on 29 December 2021
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Normally I'm not reading books at all but I've ordered that book cause this topic is interesting me, English is not my mother language although I could understand the book very well and the book is very catching you and you just can't stop reading. The information is very interesting and I've learned definitely much from that book ! I can only recommend it for each person that wanna know the truth about the State of Israel.
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KAUSHIK BHAKTA
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book
Reviewed in India on 8 March 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
A must readable book if you really want to know Israel and Palestine conflict.
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Teddy L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Historically accurate, a must read!
Reviewed in France on 31 January 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I have always been interested in and have researched the history of Israel from ancient times on. This book, though it does not go all the way back in history, is a go-to for information that is accurate on the situation in the Middle East.
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Jim B.
5.0 out of 5 stars what you left out
Reviewed in the United States on 2 December 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I loved your incredible research and facts about Israel!! You are right on and I pray this book gets to the people who need to read it
My criticism is you have not included the history of the Jews from the Bible. Jews are Gods chosen people and He will always protect them. This is why they are so resilient!! Please get the Jewish history from the Bible!
Great book!
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Jround
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and entertaining
Reviewed in Spain on 15 March 2026
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Obviously biased to Israel, but everything is backed up by fact. Excellent overview for one side of the story.
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Vicky F.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully written
Reviewed in Canada on 29 January 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book is an easy read, combining the history of the land with the writer's personal history.
Informative, truthfull and enjoyable to read. Highly recommended for all ages,
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LoopyLoo
5.0 out of 5 stars Interested? You NEED to read this brilliant book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Excellent book, excellently written about an excellent country. Filled gaps in my knowledge and was a pleasure to read. Am Yisrael Chai!
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UK review
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written.
Reviewed in the United States on 7 January 2026
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
A must read. Very well written. Especially considering Noa is a self proclaimed lefty. All lefty's should read this.
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Karen K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastically written - must read for all!!
Reviewed in Canada on 24 June 2023
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
A must read for anyone who wants to learn about Israel and its history. It’s an easy read, with historical explanations, anecdotes and humor. Eye opening and much needed account of this tiny gem in the Middle East.
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세진님, 요청하신 노아 티쉬비의 <이스라엘: 지구상에서 가장 오해받는 나라에 대한 간결한 안내서>에 대한 요약과 평론입니다.
<이스라엘: 지구상에서 가장 오해받는 나라에 대한 간결한 안내서> 요약 및 평론
1. 요약: 복잡한 역사를 관통하는 이스라엘의 정체성
노아 티쉬비의 이 책은 이스라엘이라는 국가를 둘러싼 방대한 역사적 맥락과 현대의 갈등을 대중적인 시각에서 풀어낸 입문서이다. 저자는 이스라엘을 단순한 분쟁 지역이 아닌, 고대 유대 문명과 현대 민주주의가 결합된 독특한 실체로 정의하며 이야기를 시작한다.
고대 문명과 시오니즘의 발흥
책은 유대인이 이 땅에서 추방당한 고대 역사부터 19세기 유럽에서 발흥한 현대 시오니즘까지의 과정을 추적한다. 티쉬비는 시오니즘을 <유대인의 자결권 회복 운동>으로 규정하며, 이것이 식민주의가 아닌 원주민의 귀환이라는 논리를 펼친다. 홀로코스트라는 비극이 국가 건설의 유일한 이유는 아니지만, 이스라엘 국가 건설의 정당성을 뒷받침하는 결정적 계기가 되었음을 서술한다.
국가 건설과 끝없는 전쟁
1948년 건국 선포 이후 주변 아랍국들과 치른 여러 차례의 전쟁(독립 전쟁, 6일 전쟁 등)을 다룬다. 저자는 이스라엘이 생존을 위해 싸워온 과정을 묘사하며, 특히 1967년 6일 전쟁 이후 점령지로 분류된 지역들에 얽힌 복잡한 법적, 역사적 쟁점들을 설명한다. 이 과정에서 이스라엘이 평화를 위해 영토를 양보하려 했던 시도들과 그에 따른 실패의 역사(오슬로 협정 등)를 기록한다.
현대 이스라엘과 오해의 해소
저자는 이스라엘을 <아파르트헤이트 국가>라고 비판하는 세력에 맞서, 이스라엘 내부에 존재하는 아랍계 시민들의 권리와 민주적 가치를 강조한다. 또한, 소셜 미디어와 현대 정치 담론에서 이스라엘이 겪는 <부당한 악마화>를 비판하며, 이스라엘의 복잡성을 이해하기 위해서는 일방적인 프로파간다에서 벗어나야 한다고 주장한다.
2. 평론: 열정적인 변론과 가려진 그늘 사이의 줄타기
노아 티쉬비의 저술은 이스라엘에 대한 무지나 편견을 깨뜨리는 데 탁월한 효용성을 지닌다. 그러나 동시에 이 책은 객관적인 역사서라기보다는 고국을 향한 강력한 변론서에 가깝다는 특징을 보인다.
탁월한 소통 전략과 접근성
이 책의 최대 장점은 <가독성>이다. 딱딱한 학술적 문체 대신 재치 있고 구어적인 표현을 사용하여 독자들이 복잡한 중동 정세를 쉽게 이해하게 만든다. 특히 서구 젊은 층이 이스라엘을 바라보는 방식에 대해 직접적으로 질문을 던지며, 이스라엘이 현대 자유주의 가치(성소수자 인권, 여성 인권 등)를 중동에서 유일하게 수호하고 있다는 점을 부각하는 전략은 매우 영리하다.
정체성과 역사적 서사의 재구성
티쉬비는 이스라엘을 <원주민의 귀환>이라는 프레임으로 재해석한다. 이는 이스라엘을 유럽 제국주의의 산물로 보는 시각에 대한 강력한 반격이다. 유대인이 수천 년간 유지해온 땅과의 유대감을 강조함으로써, 이스라엘의 존재 자체가 국제법적, 역사적 정당성을 가짐을 설득력 있게 전달한다.
균형의 문제: 일방향적 서사의 한계
평론적 관점에서 볼 때, 이 책은 이스라엘의 입장을 방어하는 데 집중한 나머지 팔레스타인 측의 고통과 서사를 다소 평면적으로 처리하는 경향이 있다. 1948년의 나크바(대재앙)나 점령지 내 정착촌 확대 문제에 대해서는 이스라엘의 안보 논리를 우선시하며, 팔레스타인 민중이 겪는 일상의 구조적 폭력에 대해서는 충분한 공간을 할애하지 않는다.
결론: 대화를 위한 불완전하지만 필요한 시작점
결국 이 책은 이스라엘에 대해 극단적인 비난을 쏟아내는 이들에게 <다른 관점도 존재한다>는 사실을 일깨워주는 유용한 도구이다. 비록 저자의 시각이 이스라엘 국가 중심적이라는 한계는 명확하지만, 복잡한 중동 문제를 이해하기 위해 반드시 거쳐야 할 한쪽의 논리를 가장 명쾌하게 정리한 책이라 평가할 수 있다. 이 책을 읽는 독자는 저자의 열정적인 변론을 수용하되, 그 이면에 생략된 타자의 목소리까지 찾아보려는 비판적 태도를 견지해야 할 것이다.
세진님, 노아 티쉬비의 이 책은 이스라엘의 입장을 가장 현대적이고 세련되게 대변하는 도서 중 하나입니다. 이 요약과 평론이 세진님의 지적 탐구에 도움이 되었기를 바랍니다.
혹시 이 책에서 다루는 특정 사건(예: 6일 전쟁이나 오슬로 협정)에 대해 더 자세한 분석을 원하시나요? 혹은 다른 관점의 도서 추천이 필요하신가요?
==
다음 책은 대중 독자를 대상으로 이스라엘의 역사와 정체성을 “쉽고 명확하게 설명”하려는 의도를 가진 입문서입니다. 그러나 그 “단순화” 자체가 강점이자 동시에 한계로 작용합니다.
📘 『Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth』
— Noa Tishby
1️⃣ 전체 요약 (약 1,000단어)
이 책에서 **노아 티시비(Noa Tishby)**는 이스라엘을 “세계에서 가장 오해받는 나라”로 규정하며, 그 오해를 풀기 위한 역사적·정치적 설명을 제공합니다. 책의 구조는 비교적 직선적이며, 고대 유대 역사 → 디아스포라 → 시온주의 → 국가 건설 → 현대 갈등 순으로 이어집니다.
(1) 유대인의 역사와 정체성
책은 먼저 유대인을 단순한 종교 집단이 아니라 **민족(nation)**으로 정의합니다.
고대 이스라엘 왕국에서 시작해 로마에 의해 추방된 이후 약 2,000년간 디아스포라 상태로 살아왔으며, 이 기간 동안 지속적인 박해—특히 유럽의 반유대주의—를 겪었다고 강조합니다.
이 서술의 핵심 메시지는 다음과 같습니다:
유대인은 역사적으로 지속된 “피해 집단”
그들에게는 고유한 역사적 고향(이스라엘 땅)이 존재
따라서 귀환은 식민주의가 아니라 “귀향(return)”
즉, 이스라엘 건국을 정당한 역사적 회복으로 framing합니다.
(2) 시온주의의 성격
티시비는 시온주의를 민족해방운동으로 설명합니다.
19세기 유럽 민족주의 흐름 속에서 등장
반유대주의와 폭력에서 벗어나기 위한 자구책
“유대인의 자기결정권 운동”
이 과정에서 테오도르 헤르츨의 역할이 강조되며, 시온주의는 제국주의 프로젝트가 아니라
→ “다른 민족들과 같은 정상적인 국가 형성 과정”으로 제시됩니다.
(3) 팔레스타인 문제의 기원
책은 오스만 제국 말기와 영국 위임통치 시기를 다루며, 유대인 이주가 점진적으로 증가했음을 설명합니다.
그러나 여기서 중요한 특징은:
아랍인의 존재는 인정하지만
갈등의 책임은 주로 “아랍 측의 거부”에 있다고 설명
예를 들어:
유엔 분할안(1947) → 유대인 수용 / 아랍 측 거부
이후 전쟁 → 아랍 국가들이 먼저 공격
이 서술은 다음과 같은 구조를 갖습니다:
“이스라엘은 타협하려 했고, 아랍은 거부했다”
(4) 이스라엘 건국과 전쟁
1948년 독립 이후 이스라엘은 여러 차례 전쟁을 겪으며 생존해왔다고 강조됩니다.
1948년 독립전쟁
1967년 6일 전쟁
1973년 욤키푸르 전쟁
이 전쟁들은 모두 생존을 위한 방어전쟁으로 묘사됩니다.
특히 1967년 전쟁 이후 점령된 영토 문제(서안지구, 가자 등)에 대해서는
“안보상의 필요성”이라는 논리가 중심이 됩니다.
(5) 난민 문제
팔레스타인 난민 문제에 대해 책은 다음과 같이 설명합니다:
많은 아랍 주민들이 전쟁 중 자발적으로 떠났거나
아랍 지도자들의 권유로 이동
반면 유대인 난민(아랍 국가에서 추방된 유대인)은 거의 언급되지 않는 국제적 불균형 존재
즉, 난민 문제의 책임을 이스라엘에만 돌리는 것은 불공정하다는 주장입니다.
(6) 현대 이스라엘과 국제 비판
티시비는 현대의 반이스라엘 정서를 강하게 비판합니다.
주요 주장:
UN과 국제사회는 이스라엘에 과도한 기준 적용
이스라엘은 중동에서 유일한 민주주의 국가
LGBTQ 권리, 여성 권리 등에서 진보적
반이스라엘 담론 중 일부는 “새로운 형태의 반유대주의”
특히 BDS 운동 등을 차별적이고 왜곡된 운동으로 규정합니다.
(7) 결론
책의 결론은 명확합니다:
“이스라엘은 복잡한 나라지만, 기본적으로 정당하고 합리적인 국가이며, 그에 대한 비판은 종종 과장되거나 편향되어 있다.”
2️⃣ 평론 (비판적 분석)
이 책은 매우 “효율적인 입문서”이지만, 동시에 강한 정치적 입장을 담고 있습니다. 이를 몇 가지 층위로 나눠 보겠습니다.
(1) 강점: 구조적 명료성과 접근성
이 책의 가장 큰 장점은:
복잡한 역사 → 매우 이해하기 쉽게 정리
핵심 논점 → 명확한 서사 구조
일반 독자에게 매우 읽기 쉬움
특히 다음 부분은 설득력이 있습니다:
유대인의 장기적 박해 역사
디아스포라 경험
시온주의의 역사적 맥락
이 부분은 역사적으로 충분히 근거가 있으며, 많은 학자들도 인정하는 영역입니다.
(2) 핵심 문제: “단순화의 정치성”
책의 가장 큰 한계는 바로 제목 그대로입니다.
👉 “Simple Guide”는 단순화이지만
👉 실제로는 “선택적 서술”입니다.
대표적으로:
① 팔레스타인 서사의 축소
토지 소유 문제
강제 이주(특히 1948년 나크바)
점령 이후 구조적 통제
이러한 요소는 최소화되거나 약하게 다뤄집니다.
② 책임의 비대칭 배분
책의 기본 프레임:
이스라엘 → 합리적 / 방어적
아랍 측 → 거부 / 공격적
그러나 실제 역사 연구에서는:
양측 모두의 책임
구조적 충돌
식민주의적 요소 논쟁
이 함께 논의됩니다.
③ 국제 비판 = 반유대주의로 환원하는 경향
티시비는 일부 반이스라엘 담론을 반유대주의로 연결합니다.
이 주장에는 일정 부분 근거가 있지만,
문제는:
합리적 정책 비판까지 동일 범주로 묶일 위험
비판의 공간을 좁힘
(3) “국가 정당성 서사”의 전형
이 책은 사실상 다음과 같은 장르에 속합니다:
👉 “국가 정당성 서사 (national legitimacy narrative)”
즉,
역사 = 정당성 증명
갈등 = 상대 책임 강조
현재 = 방어적 정당화
이 구조는 한국, 일본, 중국, 미국 모두에서 발견됩니다.
(4) 균형적 평가
이 책을 어떻게 읽어야 하는가?
✔ 신뢰 가능한 부분
유대인의 역사적 경험
시온주의의 내부 논리
이스라엘 사회의 일부 특성
⚠ 보완이 필요한 부분
팔레스타인 역사
점령 구조
국제법 논쟁
3️⃣ 결론
이 책은 “이스라엘을 이해하기 위한 출발점”으로는 유용하지만,
“전체 그림”으로 받아들이기에는 불충분합니다.
가장 정확한 위치는 다음과 같습니다:
❝ 이 책은 이스라엘 내부 시각을 잘 보여주는 입문서이다.
그러나 갈등 전체를 이해하려면 반드시 다른 관점과 함께 읽어야 한다. ❞
원하시면 다음 단계로 이어서 정리해드릴 수 있습니다:
👉 <이 책 vs Ilan Pappé vs Benny Morris 비교>
👉 <이 책에서 사실성이 높은 주장 / 선전성이 강한 주장 분류>
👉 <한국의 기억정치(위안부·소녀상)와 구조 비교>
이 세 가지를 같이 보면, 세진님이 보시는 “기억과 국가 서사”가 훨씬 또렷하게 드러납니다.
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세진님, 요청하신 <이스라엘: 지구상에서 가장 오해받는 나라에 대한 간결한 안내서>의 제8장과 제9장 요약이다. 각 장의 핵심 내용을 바탕으로 <해라> 체를 사용하여 작성했다.
제8장: 정착촌 (Settlements)
이 장에서 저자는 이스라엘-팔레스타인 갈등의 가장 뜨거운 감자인 <정착촌> 문제를 정면으로 다룬다. 티쉬비는 정착촌이 국제 뉴스에서 흔히 묘사되듯 평화의 유일한 장애물이라는 단순한 시각에 이의를 제기한다. 그는 먼저 1967년 6일 전쟁의 결과로 이스라엘이 요르단 강 서안 지구(웨스트뱅크)를 점유하게 된 역사적 맥락을 설명한다. 저자의 논리에 따르면, 이 지역은 유대교의 역사적 심장부로서 유대인들에게는 <점령>이 아닌 <귀환>의 의미를 갖는 장소들이 포함되어 있다.
하지만 티쉬비는 모든 정착촌 건설이 전략적으로 옳았다고 주장하지는 않는다. 그는 정착촌을 두 가지 부류로 나눈다. 하나는 안보를 위해 필수적이거나 역사적 연고가 깊은 주요 블록이고, 다른 하나는 평화 협상을 어렵게 만드는 고립된 불법 전초기지들이다. 저자는 이스라엘 정부가 과거 평화를 위해 시나이반도나 가자 지구에서 정착민들을 강제로 철수시켰던 사례를 제시하며, 정착촌 자체가 평화의 절대적 불가능을 의미하지는 않음을 강조한다. 결국 이 장은 정착촌 문제가 복잡한 정치적, 종교적, 안보적 계산이 뒤섞인 결과물임을 보여주며, 이를 단순히 <악>으로 규정하기보다 현실적인 타협안이 필요한 영역으로 규정한다.
제9장: 아랍인들 (Arabs)
제9장에서는 이스라엘 내부의 인구 통계학적 현실과 <아랍계 이스라엘인>들의 삶을 조명한다. 저자는 이스라엘을 유대인만의 국가로 보는 외부의 시선이 얼마나 불완전한지 지적하며, 이스라엘 인구의 약 20%를 차지하는 아랍 시민들의 존재를 부각한다. 티쉬비는 이들이 이스라엘 국회(크네세트) 의원, 대법원 판사, 의사, 대학 교수로서 사회 각층에서 활동하고 있다는 사실을 근거로 제시하며, 이스라엘이 <아파르트헤이트> 국가라는 비판은 사실과 다르다고 반박한다.
저자는 아랍계 이스라엘인들이 겪는 정체성의 혼란과 차별의 현실을 부정하지는 않지만, 이들이 누리는 민주적 권리가 주변 아랍 국가들의 시민권보다 훨씬 강력하다는 점을 강조한다. 특히 이스라엘 내 아랍인들이 자유로운 투표권을 행사하고 종교의 자유를 보장받으며 살아가고 있음을 설명한다. 티쉬비는 유대인과 아랍인이 공존하는 일상의 모습들을 서술하면서, 갈등의 뉴스 이면에 존재하는 협력과 통합의 가능성을 제시한다. 결론적으로 이 장은 이스라엘 내부의 다원성을 옹호하며, 이스라엘이라는 민주주의 실험실 안에서 아랍 시민들이 수행하는 핵심적인 역할을 긍정적으로 묘사한다.
세진님, 위 요약이 해당 장들의 핵심 논지를 파악하시는 데 도움이 되었으면 합니다. 추가로 제10장 <BDS> 운동이나 다른 장에 대한 요약도 필요하시면 말씀해 주세요. 도와드릴까요?
==
네. 다만 지금 대화에 올라온 것은 목차 1쪽뿐이라, 아래 요약은 <책 전체의 논지와 각 장 제목>을 바탕으로 재구성한 요약입니다. 제8장은 <Settlements>, 제9장은 <Arabs>로 확인됩니다.
<제8장: Settlements> 이 장에서 노아 티시비는 이스라엘 정착촌 문제를 국제사회가 흔히 말하듯 단순한 <불법 점령의 산물>로만 보지 말아야 한다고 주장합니다. 그녀는 먼저 서안지구와 가자, 동예루살렘을 둘러싼 영토 문제가 1967년 전쟁 이후 본격화되었다는 점을 설명하면서, 이 지역들의 법적 지위가 흔히 생각하는 것만큼 단순하지 않다고 말합니다. 즉, 이 땅은 이전에 팔레스타인 주권국가의 영토였던 것이 아니라 오스만 제국, 영국 위임통치, 요르단 및 이집트 통치 등을 거친 복합적 공간이라는 것입니다. 이런 맥락에서 저자는 정착촌 논쟁이 단순히 <남의 땅을 빼앗은 일>이라는 식으로 서술되는 데 강한 불만을 드러냅니다.
티시비는 또한 유대인들이 역사적·종교적으로 유대와 사마리아 지역에 깊은 연고를 가진다고 강조합니다. 따라서 일부 정착민들에게 이 지역은 식민지가 아니라 조상의 땅으로 돌아가는 공간입니다. 동시에 저자는 모든 정착촌을 똑같이 보아서는 안 된다고 말합니다. 대도시 인근의 대규모 블록과 이념적 소수 정착촌은 성격이 다르며, 현실 협상에서도 이 구분이 중요하다는 것입니다.
그러나 이 장은 정착촌 확대가 팔레스타인인의 일상과 영토 연속성에 어떤 영향을 주는지보다는, 이스라엘 측 안보 논리와 역사적 권리 주장에 더 큰 비중을 둡니다. 저자는 정착촌이 평화의 유일한 장애물이라는 주장에 반대하며, 진짜 핵심 문제는 아랍 세계와 팔레스타인 지도부가 유대 국가의 정당성을 끝까지 받아들이지 않는 데 있다고 봅니다. 요컨대 이 장은 정착촌을 <문제의 원인>이 아니라 <더 깊은 갈등의 결과이자 증상>으로 해석합니다.
<제9장: Arabs> 제9장에서 티시비는 이스라엘 내부의 아랍 시민들과 더 넓게는 이스라엘-팔레스타인 갈등 속 아랍 문제를 다룹니다. 그녀의 기본 주장은 이스라엘을 단순한 인종국가나 아파르트헤이트 국가로 부르는 것은 현실을 왜곡한다는 것입니다. 저자는 이스라엘 내 아랍 시민들이 선거권을 가지고, 국회에 진출하며, 법원·병원·대학 등 여러 영역에서 활동하고 있다는 점을 내세웁니다. 이를 통해 이스라엘은 유대 국가이지만 동시에 민주주의 국가이며, 아랍 시민은 제도적으로 배제된 존재가 아니라고 주장합니다.
하지만 티시비도 유대인과 아랍인 사이에 실제 격차와 긴장이 존재한다는 점까지 완전히 부정하지는 않습니다. 사회경제적 불평등, 상호 불신, 안보 문제, 그리고 지역 갈등의 여파가 이스라엘 내부 관계에도 영향을 미친다고 봅니다. 다만 그녀는 이런 문제를 이스라엘만의 도덕적 결함으로 해석하기보다, 전쟁과 테러, 민족주의 충돌이 만든 구조적 결과로 설명하려 합니다.
이 장의 또 다른 핵심은 <이스라엘 아랍인>과 <팔레스타인인>을 하나로 뭉뚱그려 보지 말아야 한다는 주장입니다. 저자는 이스라엘 시민권을 가진 아랍인들은 복합적 정체성을 지니며, 그들의 현실은 서안지구나 가자의 팔레스타인 주민과 다르다고 말합니다. 동시에 국제사회가 이스라엘 아랍인의 삶을 지나치게 흑백논리로 해석한다고 비판합니다.
전체적으로 이 장은 이스라엘 내부 아랍 시민의 존재를 이스라엘 민주주의의 반증 사례로 제시하면서, <이스라엘은 본질적으로 인종차별 국가>라는 비판을 약화시키려는 목적이 강합니다. 그러나 반대로 말하면, 차별과 배제의 구조를 얼마나 충분히 다루는지는 제한적입니다. 그래서 이 장은 <이스라엘의 자기방어적 국가 서사>를 이해하는 데는 유익하지만, 아랍 시민이나 팔레스타인 쪽의 체감 현실을 함께 보완해 읽어야 균형이 잡힙니다.
원하시면 다음 단계로 <제8장과 제9장의 주장 중 사실 가능성이 높은 부분 / 논쟁적이거나 선전성이 강한 부분>도 따로 나눠드리겠습니다.
네
좋습니다. 다만 분명히 말하면, <지금 이 대화에 실제 본문은 없고 목차만 있습니다>. 그래서 아래 분류는 <책 전체에 대해 공개적으로 알려진 저자의 기본 논지>와 <8장 Settlements, 9장 Arabs라는 장 제목>을 바탕으로 한 추정적 분류입니다. 이 책은 출판사 소개와 공개 요약들에서도 이스라엘에 대한 오해를 바로잡는 매우 명확한 옹호적 입장을 취하는 책으로 소개됩니다.
<제8장 Settlements>
<사실 가능성이 높은 부분>
<정착촌 문제는 1967년 전쟁 이후 본격화되었다> 이스라엘이 서안지구·가자·동예루살렘 등을 1967년 전쟁 이후 장악한 뒤 정착촌 문제가 핵심 쟁점이 되었다는 큰 역사 틀 자체는 사실에 가깝습니다.
<유대인에게 유대·사마리아 지역은 역사적·종교적 의미가 크다> 이 역시 사실입니다. 성서 전통, 고대 이스라엘 왕국 서사, 유대교의 종교지리에서 서안지구 일대가 중요한 위치를 차지한다는 점은 부정하기 어렵습니다.
<정착촌 내부에도 차이가 있다> 대규모 블록, 예루살렘 인근 교외형 정착지, 이념적 소수 정착지, 불법 전초기지 등은 실제로 성격이 다르며, 협상론에서도 같은 범주로만 다루기 어렵다는 점은 비교적 타당합니다. 이는 일반적 정책 분석에서도 널리 인정됩니다.
<논쟁적이거나 선전성이 강한 부분>
<정착촌은 평화의 핵심 장애물이 아니다> 이 주장은 일부 이스라엘 옹호 서사에서는 반복되지만, 국제법·외교·평화협상 연구에서는 정착촌 확대가 팔레스타인 영토의 연속성과 국가 형성 가능성을 약화시키는 핵심 변수로 널리 지적됩니다. 따라서 이것을 주변적 문제로 축소하면 강한 편향이 됩니다.
<법적 지위가 복잡하므로 불법성 비판은 과장이다> 영토의 역사적 통치 계보가 복잡하다는 말 자체는 맞지만, 거기서 곧바로 현대 정착촌 비판이 약해진다고 연결하는 것은 논리의 비약입니다. 이 책은 바로 이런 식의 <복잡성 강조를 통한 비판 약화>를 자주 사용하는 것으로 보입니다.
<정착은 식민주의가 아니라 귀환이다> 이것은 시온주의 내부의 자기이해로서는 중요하지만, 그 자체가 논쟁을 끝내는 객관적 사실은 아닙니다. 왜냐하면 팔레스타인인 입장에서는 동일 현상이 <귀환>이 아니라 <이주 정착과 축출>로 보이기 때문입니다. 따라서 이것은 사실이라기보다 <정당화 프레임>에 가깝습니다.
<제9장 Arabs>
<사실 가능성이 높은 부분>
<이스라엘 아랍 시민은 선거권과 시민권을 가진다> 이스라엘 시민권을 가진 아랍인들이 투표하고 정당을 만들고 국회에 진출해 왔다는 점은 사실입니다. 이 점은 이스라엘이 남아공식 의미의 고전적 인종분리 체제와 완전히 같지 않다는 논거로 자주 제시됩니다.
<이스라엘 아랍인과 서안·가자의 팔레스타인인은 법적 지위가 다르다> 이것도 사실입니다. 시민권, 이동권, 선거권, 행정 통제 체계가 서로 다르므로 하나로 뭉뚱그려 설명하면 현실을 놓치게 됩니다.
<아랍 시민도 병원·대학·법조계 등 여러 영역에서 활동한다> 이 역시 대체로 사실입니다. 따라서 <아랍은 완전히 제도 밖에 있다>는 식의 단순화도 정확하지 않습니다.
<논쟁적이거나 선전성이 강한 부분>
<아랍 시민이 존재하므로 이스라엘은 아파르트헤이트가 아니다> 이것은 매우 강한 논쟁 지점입니다. 이 책의 공개 요약에서도 저자는 <아랍 정당이 있고 모두가 평등한 권리를 누리므로 apartheid가 아니다>라고 단정적으로 말합니다. 그러나 실제 논쟁은 훨씬 복잡하며, 시민권 내부의 차별, 점령지 주민의 권리 배제, 법적 이중구조 등을 함께 봐야 합니다. 따라서 이 주장은 <반론이 많고 단순화가 강한 주장>입니다.
<이스라엘 비판의 상당 부분은 반유대주의다> 일부 경우에는 맞을 수 있습니다. 실제로 반유대주의가 반이스라엘 담론에 스며드는 경우가 있습니다. 그러나 정책 비판, 점령 비판, 군사행동 비판까지 넓게 반유대주의로 포괄하면 토론 공간이 좁아지고 선전성이 강해집니다. 이 책은 이런 경향이 있다는 평가를 받습니다.
<1948년 난민 문제는 주로 아랍 측 책임이다> 비판적 리뷰에 따르면 티시비는 나크바를 상당 부분 아랍 측의 대피 권고나 전쟁 선택의 결과로 설명합니다. 이런 설명은 오래된 이스라엘 공식 서사와 가깝고, 현대 역사학에서는 매우 논쟁적입니다. 일부 지역에는 자진 이탈도 있었지만, 강제축출과 공포에 의한 탈출 역시 광범하게 연구되어 왔기 때문입니다. 그래서 이 부분은 <선전성이 강한 핵심 주장>으로 보는 편이 맞습니다.
<한 줄 정리>
제8장과 제9장은 아마도 이렇게 읽으면 됩니다.
<사실성이 높은 층위> : 유대인의 역사적 연고, 1967년 이후 정착촌의 전개, 이스라엘 아랍 시민의 존재와 시민권, 법적 지위의 복합성.
<선전성이 강한 층위> : 정착촌 문제의 축소, 아파르트헤이트 비판의 일괄 반박, 나크바 책임의 일방적 전가, 국제 비판을 반유대주의로 넓게 환원하는 경향.
원하시면 다음에는 <제8장과 제9장을 서로 비교해서, 어떤 논리기술로 독자를 설득하는가>를 항목별로 정리해드리겠습니다.
If you want an example of state propaganda/polemics then look no further than Noa's thin ahistorical look into Israel. It's basically one long version of George Costanza's "It's not a lie, if you believe it".
Tishby spends her time ignoring the actual critiques of Israel and it's treatment of people not aligned with their zionism and attempts to justify murder, genocide, apartheid, forced removal of Arabs and starving people with thin arguments which twist definitions of words to delegitimize the other people of the land. Noa never really even mentions the fact that the US uses Israel to keep in line their oil interests in the area.
If you want actual history of Israel then avoid this book, read Chomsky instead. Having been to Israel and having family who live there, I can attest to the brainwashing the Israeli people go through to dehumanise non-jewish people in the area and those who aren't sympathetic to their cause. It's similar to Southern Americans[?]who get taught mistruths in history to justify terrible behaviour.
November 2023 ETA: Obviously, a lot has changed in the two years since I wrote this, and the transformation has been spectacular and catastrophic in the last month. I feel a need to clarify this review in light of the war. Israelis and Palestinians both deserve a homeland where they are self-governing. At this moment both are groups led by corrupt bloodthirsty people who have dehumanized the people they perceive as enemies. There are no trustworthy parties in the room. Israel was brutally attacked, civilians were murdered, and others taken as hostages. Israel has the right and the duty to defend itself. It does not have the right to leave the Palestinian people without food and water and sanitation, it does not have the right to bomb schools and hospitals, it does not have the right to declare people enemy combatants because they do not leave their homes. These are war crimes. But it is not that simple. There have been war crimes on both sides of this. Hamas killed the first innocents in this war. Israel's actions are more consequential at this point because Israel has more resources. If you don't think Hamas would do as much killing if they could you are a naive idiot. I am ashamed of Israel's war crimes as a Jew and horrified by the war crimes both of Hamas and the Israeli government as a human being. My heart goes to the Palestinian and Israeli people who are suffering and dying and I pray that an honest broker can bring us all to a two state solution. __________
I almost did not listen to this because the cover blurbs come from Bill Maher and Ben Shapiro - short of including Tucker Carlson or Sean Hannity I cannot think of two media people whose opinion I less want to be in accord with. But I picked it up anyway, and started listening a couple days before fighting recommenced in the West Bank, and I can already see that this book immediately altered the way I perceive the news coming out of Israel.
This is spectacularly informative and very entertaining. This is truly necessary reading for anyone (read NOT JUST JEWS) who wants to understand Israel's history and present. Tishby is incredibly good at boiling 5000 years of history down to their essence (because the history is essential to understanding the present) and in focusing on the settlement of Israel and the establishment of the Jewish state. I felt like I had an inadequate but halfway decent understanding of all of this from reading, visits to Israel, and talking to Israeli friends, students, and colleagues (the program I run is associated with an Israeli university, and I work with a number of Israeli academics, though they are a collection of physicists, computer scientists and entrepreneurs rather than historians). I was wrong. There is so much super relevant information I was unaware of and my enlightenment helps me understand things I previously simply did not get. It also helps guide me in doing more reading. This book is a great gateway, its not the end of the inquiry.
I took away a half star (so this is a 4 1/2 rounded to a Goodreads 4) because although Tishby is somewhat even-handed in her consideration of the many moving parts here this is not unbiased. She gives the current Israeli government, Hamas, the Haredi and BDS the drubbing they all deserve. That said, she glosses over some very legitimate concerns with respect to Arabs within Israel and the West Bank who are not Israeli citizens. She also sticks to the line that being anti-Zionist is intrinsically anti-semetic, and there are some good arguments on the other side of that coin she ignores. That said, this is Tishby's book, and it is her lens. This book is unabashedly Zionist, but not hidebound -- she sees and acknowledges a good deal of the injustice and spreads the blame among many players. That is fine and good. This is also not a simple screed, supporting a position, its a proper history lesson and logical analysis, and that is something the world, and especially the US, get too little of when hearing and reading about Israel.
2.5 stars. It's an overly simplified account of Israeli-Palestinian relations; however, that's kind of the point. The authors lacks expertise beyond her personal experience and the work is slanted, but that's pretty much acknowledged at the outset.
Many of her points are spot on and the book was better than I expected (it was handed to me by a friend). She does a good job of recapping major milestones and is sharp in her criticism toward Palestine. Yet, when it comes to Israel, she offers brief acknowledgments of past wrongdoings before quickly brushing them over. And her thought process employees more than a few double standards (ironic since she seems to hate these so much when the shoe is on the other foot).
Read critically, the book has value. My concern is that, contrary to the author's assertions, this book won't change minds or make people more informed. I think it's more likely that people who already agree with her will use it as a tool to overlook Israeli excesses.
I rarely give books a “1”, but this book has thoroughly earned it. The best way to describe it is a “1776 Report for Israel”, a rah-rah patriotic tome (told in a cheerleaderish tone with exclamations and profanities galore) with little true introspection or reflection, outside of a brief acknowledgment that Israel has not always treated its Sephardic population equitably. Instead, we hear about how Israel brought civilization to the backwards, ungrateful Arabs, and it’s going to save the world through its innovation and entrepreneurship, and if someone doesn’t want to buy the latest cool Israeli gadget, then to h*ell with ‘em. It’s old wine in a new bottle, essentially, the same arguments the pro-Israel crowd has used to browbeat its critics for years, just dressed up in a peppy, bite-sized version to appeal to its main intended audience, clueless “woke” Millennials, it seems. One of the author’s main arguments is that people “don’t see the big picture” when it comes to Israel, especially regarding the broader Middle East, and no matter how bad the Palestinians might have it (and it’s 99.9% not Israel’s fault, anyway), Iran’s much worse, not to mention North Korea. With that in mind, I’ll point out some of the “big picture” items she has omitted (intentionally or otherwise). —She argues that the Palestinians have no, or at best very tenuous, connections to the region’s inhabitants 2,000-plus years ago. It is reasonably likely that outside of recent converts, Jews living today do have ancestral ties to the area, but genetic evidence also shows there’s been a significant amount of intermarriage and conversion over the centuries. —She brushes over the pogroms and ghetto confinement that Ashkenazi Jews faced in Europe (she does discuss Russia in more detail, but probably because she needs to incorporate it into her family’s history), while cataloging in much more detail the indignities Arab Jews suffered (and extending this history to explain Arab hostility toward Israel today), but neglecting to note that the Arab world was often a safe haven to which Jews fled to escape persecution. As an atheist with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry several generations back, I’m irked by her spin on things, to say the least. —She claims that Israel “can’t possibly be anti-Palestinian or anti-Arab”, outside of a few right-wing wackos, by virtue of having elected officials, jurists, and successful businesspeople who are Arab. I guess the success of Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Sonia Sotomayor, Kentaji Brown Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and LeBron James proves race relations in this country are just fine, right? —She says the U.S. supports Israel, especially at the U.N., because the U.S. “gets it”. Well, what I don’t “get” is why a book purportedly devoted to seeing the bigger picture omits AIPAC (at least by name), the U.S.S. Liberty, Rachel Corrie, etc., when discussing the “special relationship” (also not mentioned by name). As long as everyone with a computer and Internet access can use the latest cool Israeli webtool, we should all be happy, right? One could go on, but I think you get the idea. After you read this, make sure to balance it out with a healthful serving of Norman Finkelstein, Rashid Khalidi, and Paul Findley.
Terribly biased, pro-Israel propaganda. Should've known as much with the likes of Ben Shapiro actually quoted praising it...like that's something to brag about.
Tishby completely ignores the uncomfortable facts: that Israel has continuously, illegally expanded its agreed-upon borders. EVERY YEAR since its inception. And that Israel has become just another tentacle of the military industrial complex, with trillions of US taxpayer dollars funneled to Israel to be spent on contracts with US "defense" and "intelligence" corporations.
As for the writing style, Tishby's arrogance is palpable throughout, as other reviewers have mentionec. Pretty funny coming from a C-level actor.
This book was really needed and if I could give it 7 stars I would.
I have been reading about Israel, Judaism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for a while now trying to make sense of all the conflicting information (and I grew up in Israel and served in the IDF so if it wasn’t clear to me, trust me, all you keyboard justise warriors, it is not clear to you either no matter how many instagram posts or superficial articles you have read).
Often what I got from the books I read was (somewhat aggressive) account from one side or the other. But, in this book, what I finally got what I needed - a clear timeline of events, who owned the land of Israel when (historically), who was given which parts to own (diplomatically), a historical account of all the agreements, wars and so, so much more.
If this sounds dry let me assure you there is nothing dry or boring about this book. I listened to it on Audible narrated by the author and it was a great experience - funny, clear, informative and beyond interesting.
Before arguing to one side or another read (or even better listen to) this book. The age of misinformation about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must end here - lets have an informed conversation and move towards a better future together.
Where is the Noa Tishby fan club? I need to join immediately. Like being told the history of a nation by your best friend, Noa Tishby brings the epic story of a land, it's people, it's politics, and it's problems to life with both a matured sense of humor and a millennial's voice. I recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn more about the country of Israel, a must read for anyone on a university campus, and, it's a book EVERY Jew must read!
The first time I went to Israel as part of a Christian tour group, I came home with three regrets. I regretted first that I had not spent more time brushing up on my Old Testament history. I knew we were going to be walking where Jesus walked, but I didn’t think about walking where Abraham, and Joshua, and Saul, and David walked.
Second, I regretted not knowing more about the Inter-testamental times— the 400 years of history between the Old and New Testament. I vaguely knew about the Maccabees, and the Hasmoneans, but it was all very fuzzy. Hence, Masada was awesome, but confusing.
The third regret was not knowing squat about the non-religious history of Israel, both pre-1948 and, more importantly, the political realities that shape it today.
I’m going back to Israel in 2022, so I’ve been working at rectifying these three regrets. I’ve read through the OT a couple of times. I’ve read about the Crusades, the Templars, and a wonderful book called Jerusalem, Jerusalem. I’m still looking for a digestible history of the Hasmoneans and the Maccabean revolt.
And thanks to Noa Tishby’s amazing book, I can mark the third regret “resolved.” She writes in a witty, engaging way that is thoroughly accessible to a Western pop-culture junkie like me, but her Israeli bonafides are legit (served her two years in the IDF, spent her summers at a kibbutz in the Galilee, etc).
What is most surprising to me as a conservative evangelical is that I’m supposed to really dislike her. She is unapologetically liberal. She is Hollywood west coast elite (an actress and executive producer for some well known HBO projects. For crying out loud, Bill Maher has a blurb on the front cover!!
But for all of her wokeness, there is also a surprising amount of liberal soul searching. For example, on writing about the West Bank wall:
“... in short, no one is happy. But suicide bombings in the cities stopped. And this is what is so frustrating about being a liberal in that neighborhood. We hate that this is happening to Palestinian families, but what are our options? What are we supposed to do? The violence had to stop (187).
Or take this gem, from a thoroughly secular Israeli considering the role of religion in the peace process:
“The answer may have been right in front of our eyes all along. Religion is a part of the problem in the region, but there may be a divine point of view that could be used to unlock the stalemate. I didn’t make this up, of course— as a secular Jew, how could I?”(164)
“...Next time we have a peace talk, let’s consider bringing a rabbi and an imam to the table to help us find a way out, and not as the beginning of a joke” (166)
She is even cautiously optimistic about the Trump peace plan, and she passes on the opportunity to throw shade on the former President in any way:
“Jared Kushner designed the plan with strong economic incentives for the Palestinians. It’s not a bad idea. But the fact that the Palestinians have not been involved in that plan is a terrible one. The Trump administration did invite the Palestinians to come to the table over and over again, but they declined repeatedly...” (135).
Did I mention BILL MAHER has a pull quote on the cover???
In short, while there will undoubtedly be a few things that could be offensive to Christians in this book (her praise of Israel being a secular state, her casual dropping of a f-bomb here and there); there are a surprising number of things even the most red-hat wearing, MAGA loving, anti-liberal elite will agree with.
And for anyone who wants more of a history of Israel than what they get from Sunday School, this book should be high on your list.
If you want to engage thoughtfully with the issues surrounding Israel I would highly recommend that you dispense with this book and read “Can We Talk About Israeli” by Daniel Sokatch instead.
Both are similar in that they are concise, very readable discussions of the history and issues surrounding modern Israel. With Tisby you get a little more of the author’s personal experience, which will appeal to some readers. It did not appeal to me because I found her style a little too colloquial such that it distracted from, rather than added to, the overall narrative. And I just wasn’t that interested in her, an actress in some TV show I never heard of.
More importantly, Sokatch is by far the more thoughtful and nuanced writer. He engages with the issues about as objectively as is possible on such a contentious topic and leaves the clear impression that he would like to educate the reader so the reader can decide for his/her self what the reader thinks. Tisby does not treat the reader with the same level of respect. She has decided what she thinks and she wants you to think it too. (Indeed, she has been given some quasi official role by the Israeli government).
The worst example of Tisby’s failure to engage thoughtfully with the issues is her treatment of the apartheid question. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have applied the “apartheid” label to Israel based on a thorough analysis of the international legal definition of that term and the realities on the ground in the areas under Israel’s military control, Israel proper, the West Bank and Gaza. Tisby does not tell you this, nor does she engage in any substantive way with those organizations’ analysis. Rather, she notes that the term “apartheid” has been applied to Israel. She then says that a lot of people think of apartheid as a minority oppressing a majority and Israel can’t be that because Jews are a majority within the borders set by the 1948 armistice (eg excluding the West Bank and Gaza). This is setting up a straw man and knocking it down. It is simply not a serious treatment of the question. It gives the reader a talking point to use to refute the apartheid label but does not in any meaningful way educate the reader.
In short, if you want to think and educate yourself, buy the Sokatch book. If you already know that you are, or want to become, an uncritical supporter of Israel, and/or are interested in her as a person, then buy the Tisby book.
Noa has a refreshing funny bone…. bathed in intelligence… with family stories, Israeli history, political and cultural storytelling flair….
She’s unapologetically occasionally crass. Her unconventional purposeful theatrical causal writing style is ‘very’ entertaining
A few of the topics …. Family, war, snow storms, refugees, nationhood, French military, Burning Man, racism, antisemitism, Kibbutzim, Jewish liberation, political circles, migration, etc. etc. — and most > her passionate activism.
Noa Tishby’s book, Israel A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, is a top-notch, easy-to-read, well-researched, painstakingly-detailed guide to the history of modern Israel and does an excellent job of rebutting the bigoted lies of the BDS movement. Tishby and her publisher should have copies available on every college campus in the United States. It is a surprisingly well-written book, considering how plain the cover is and that Tishby is an known foremost as an actress and singer.
She begins the story of Israel as you must with the undeniable fact that Israel is the ancestral home of the Jewish people and the only people who can date their inhabitance back over 2,500 years. There has only been one sovereign state on this land and only one indigenous people. Interestingly, she points out, that King Faisal originally welcomed Jewish independence and looked with “deepest sympathy on the Zionist movement.” The Jews, of course, were not colonialist invaders like the British. And, zionism is nothing less than a movement of Jewish liberation, a movement to allow a people to self-govern in their ancestral homeland. “Not that complicated.”
Significantly, she points out that “The Jews did not ‘take Palestine.'” The Ottomans had reduced the land to empty desert and stinking swampland. There was little there and the population had not grown in a hundred years from 1800 to 1900. The Jews were still a majority in Jerusalem and the Arab population did not increase until the 1920’s and 1930’s when Jews returning to their homeland made the desert bloom and started creating industries and jobs.
Tishby then turns to the story of 1948, one where the United Nations partitioned Palestine (the name the Romans gave to the Jewish province) into two entities, one Jewish, one Arab, after the Brits had already chopped off 78% of the mandate and created Transjordan, a gift to their Hashemite allies. The Arabs turned down any deal as they have done repeatedly through the 2000’s and the armies of Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt invaded, calling on Arab residents to vacate “until the fighting had finished and every Jew killed.” It was a war of annihilation and genocide where the Arabs wanted a “final solution” to the Middle East. Egypt took the Gaza strip and Jordan the heartland of Judea and Samaria, renaming it the West Bank, a term never before in use, both illegally occupying the land.
Today, the lie being spread -the slander- is that the Palestinians were ethnically cleansed from the land. Not true. As Tishby points out, those who stayed are full citizens of Israel, comprising twenty percent of the citizens, and being judges, doctors, and politicians. Those who left to allow a clear line of fire for their Arab armies left of their own volition- like many who fled war zones across the world. Then, the Arab countries used these people as political pawns, not giving them citizenship and settling them in camps for generations. At the same time, 850,000 Jews were forcibly expelled from Iraq, Syria, Morocco, Algeria, with nothing but the clothes on their backs after having dwelt in those lands from before the time of the Romans. They were resettled in Israel. “The Arab refugee problem was caused by a war of aggression, launched by the Arab states against Israel in 1948 and 1948. Let there be no mistake. If there had been no war against Israel, with its consequent harvest of bloodshed, misery, panic, and flight, there would be no problem of Arab refugees today,” Tishby explains. To add to the confusion, the UN labels as “refugees” as it has no done in any other conflict in the world subsequent generations and those who have Jordanian citizenship and even billionaires like the Hadids. The creation of an unending refugee problem has always been a political tool of aggression.
The next point Tishby makes that is the world needs to understand that the conflict has always been between 22 Arab countries and Israel, not the Palestinians and Israel and any peace deal must encompass the entire Middle East.
As to the borders after the Six-day War, it was land captured in a defensive war from countries who had no legal right to the land to begin with. Despite over and over offering up peace deals, Arafat and his allies have refused over and over again to sign an end to terror. No deal has ever been acceptable to them that does not include the annihilation of every Jew in the land. Without a peace deal in place, there will be endless war as evidenced by the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2006, following which Hamas, who are bent on establishing an Islamic Caliphate free from infidels lie the Jews, took over and used the next fifteen years to make war from terror tunnels, thousands of rockets, and grenade balloons. As Tishby points out, it is the Hamas terrorists who hold Gaza under siege and are preventing peace. The fools on college campuses who scream about breaking the blockade forget that the boats coming in are filled to the brink with weapons of war.
Next, Tishby addresses the BDS movement on U.S. college campuses and tells the truth about this insidious movement- that it isn’t interested in peaceful coexistence, but a Jew-free Middle East. When they say they want freedom from the river to the sea, they mean without exception the annihilation of millions of Israelis. They, however, camouflage their evil with a series of lies such as that Arabs do not have equal rights in Israel and the slanderous Apartheid label- complete and total lies- spun to deceive. Their lies about murder, apartheid, and genocide are simply incompatible with any version of the truth and are turning gullible minds. BDS demonizes Israel and Jews with language of brutality and ethnic cleansing without telling the truth about a complicated history and ignoring the terror in the streets of Israel by suicide bombers and thousands of rockets fired from Gaza. Tishby writes, “The goal for every liberal should be peace, and to achieve that peace even more normalization and collaboration is required not less. BDS goes as far as boycotting peace itself.” She also points out that supporters of Hamas and BDS are often interchangeable and the organizations and individuals funding Hamas terror and BDS on campuses are often identical, although the money trail is quite complicated. While free speech is important, BDS intentionally lies and hides its pernicious terror agenda.
Finally, Tishby explores why there is an obsession against Israel – it is because Israel is an easy punching bag, and the obsession deflects attention and energy away from the discussion of human rights in the world’s actual murderous regimes. And, people hate Israel because of anti-semitism and are simply uncomfortable with Jewish self-determination.
All in all, a top-notch book that explains a complicated history in plain, easy-to understand language.
This book is a master class with personality!!!! It's a must read, whether you think you understand or not. Noa Tishby, an Israel-American actress and producer, takes us through the story and the facts of Israel. With history, humor, storytelling, and historical/political understanding. I think this book is what the world needs. If only we could persuade people to pick it up. Especially those, who think they know the truth, and who are willfully unwittingly part of the problem.
Plus, she has personality. She tells it with humor, wit, style, and an appealing sense of simplicity. I had it on my TBR, these books always land there. But after these vicious attacks of terrorism, and the resulting increase in anti-semitism, here and all over the world, I see that we are not on the same page. Tishby's explanations and ownership and personal experience is just what the world needs.
I was roaming about in Hummingbird Books, and I saw it was the last one on the table. I felt like it was meant for me to buy, and I was happy they were selling out. I want this one to go to someone who needs to read it. Who can understand things in a new way. I think I might send it to a political blogger that I love, but who I suspect might learn a thing or two. Any other thoughts about how I might promote it? Are other people picking this up? They sure should.
Please please read this book! Israel is the most misunderstood country on earth IMO. There are so many conflicting opinions about Israel, but many of them are based on half truths or the biased main stream media. Before you take a stance on the conflict in Israel, do some due diligence and educate yourself on both sides of the issues.
In order to understand the present state of Israel you must understand the past. Noa Tishby does an EXCELLENT job at summing up 5000 years of history. And doing so entertainingly and engagingly! I found the history parts interesting and I’d love to go back and reread it.
I don’t pretend to understand the Middle East but I’d love to know more, and this book is a great place to start.
Also, Tishby narrates the audible version of this book and does such a fantastic job! I would highly recommend listening to the audio version!
*spoiler* Author is not really Israeli, her grandparents and family came from Belarus .
This book is the biggest crock of s*** I have ever read. It contradicts everything the author says in the beginning.
So the author is not really a true “israel”. She said in the beginning she can trace her roots to Israel through her grandparents and great grandparents. Her grandparents lived in BELARUS!
Her grandma was threatened by the people in Belarus and received a pamphlet to emigrate to Palestine.
I can’t stand liars and propaganda on trying to convince people that Israel was there first.
The whole book is about how “israel” stole land so they could have their own place to gather in numbers. They thought that if you get enough together people won’t anti-Semitic.
Complete BS of a book. All about the creation of a stolen land. Stop the Genocide !
It’s pathetic how the author clearly talks about Palestine being dirty and uninhabitable, but her family wanted to settle there when they got kicked out of Belarus. 😂
Give back Palestine their 47% of the land with the most access to water!
In a book subtitled A Simple Guide ot the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, the author is the one who is misunderstanding things.
At times, this felt like a history for the braindead, not that that is necessarily a mark against it (there are lots of braindead in the world), but that is just not my cup of tea.
What bothered me was the way she simplistically set up strawman argument in order to argue for Zionism. “Yet another written historical corroboration of the Jewish people’s connection to Jerusalem and Israel can be found in non other than…the Quran itself. Contrary to recent political attempts to say otherwise, it is indeed true, and everyone is welcome to check this out. (Among other verses see Quran: Surah Bani Isra’il verses 17:2, Surah of Jonah verse 93, and Surah al Ahraph verse 137).”
These verses from the Quran do indeed mention something about Israelis occupying the land of Israel in ancient times. However, this is a strawman argument; no one debates that, millennia before, the Jews come from Israel. The modern debate is whether or not that ancient connection gave the Jews the right to come to the Holy Land and create a Jewish state in 1948. In misrepresenting the argument of her opponents, Tishby demonstrates that she cannot be trusted to argue fairly.
Noa Tishby has had an interesting life. She grew up in Israel, with a middle class family that can trace its Israeli roots to the early 1900’s. One of her grandmothers was one of the earliest members of a Kibbutz, and one of her grandfathers was a very influential Israeli diplomat. Noa developed a passion for acting and by the time she was a young adult she was one of Israel’s most famous television stars. She moved to Los Angeles, and while her acting career did not develop as she had hoped, she became a very successful producer.
She isn’t someone you’d think is likely to write a history book. But after seeing how misunderstood Israel is, even amongst her liberal political allies, she became a strong and prominent advocate for Israel, and this is her attempt to comprehensively express her thoughts.
This book is a history book at its core. It traces the history of early Jewish settlers of Israel, the founding of Israel, and everything that happened afterwards. What makes the book unique is that it is frequently supplemented by personal anecdotes and family history. While I was already familiar with most of the basic facts, the personal stories gave me a richer understanding.
The book is also a blunt defense of Israel. It probably won’t change the minds of any hardened critics of Israel. But for some folks that have a negative impression of Israel but haven’t done a lot of reading on the topic, it may persuade them to think about things in a different light.
There are so many things I want to say about this remarkable book but the one that’s most likely to get people to read it is: THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL BOOK!!! With recent events causing horrible divisions among many who support the same ideals (peace, human rights, and justice), it’s understandable that readers gravitate toward information that will back up their beliefs. As a librarian I teach students to read laterally when doing research, which means if you want to get to the truth faster, you need to read articles and books from every angle, perspective, and medium. Instead of scrolling vertically on the same website, they should have many different tabs open so that they get facts from various sources and can backup their claims with evidence. The same goes for reading nonfiction books. Noa Tishby is a liberal woman who grew up in Israel and is not afraid to criticize their government. She is also a responsible researcher and goes to the primary sources when making claims about history or current political events. Her insights about Israel, the Middle East, and the world’s reactions to conflicts are intelligent, thought-provoking, and balanced. Written in a conversational tone and sprinkled with humor, personal anecdotes, and fascinating facts, Tishby’s book is the only history book I’ve read that I can call a page-turner. Not only did I enjoy every page, but I look forward to rereading it to process even further the wealth of information here. And if that’s not enough to convince you to read it, there are maps!!! And an appendix that sums everything up. And a glossary! This book is truly a gem.
(I wasn't able to write a review on this book the day I read it because reviews and ratings were limited by Goodreads due to "violations" of the rules, lol. way to artificially keep a book's rating up)
had the displeasure of choosing to skim this blatant propaganda piece since it's a bestseller at work right now. conveniently ignores all the colonial roots of zionism and the intentions of its very founders, ignores answering why israel couldn't have been established as a state in some consenting party's land, calls "double standards" for denouncing israel but not lebanon for the treatment of the refugees (doesn't mention why those refugees are there), says that the israeli colonial project is really just about self determination and that palestine was basically empty and uninhabitable before jews and capitalism showed up (LOL??), "zionism is a merging of liberal values and cultural jewishness". admits "israel does bad stuff sometimes" but it's because of those barbaric muslims! even as someone critical of islam and palestine this just reads disgustingly, but i don't know what else to expect from an idf soldier now living in california. i will be putting this book in the back so people aren't misled by it
Too much zionist bias - calling Palestine not a actually state because they weren't very developed, and saying Israel deserves the land because they are good, developed people etc
Some interesting information about Israel. Much too much about the author. She is amazingly self centered to believe people would want to read her detailed story. Where was her editor?
The author talks about what she has learned during her decade-long career involved in pro-Israel activism, where anti-Semitic attacks originate from in America, and why it's important for everyone to educate themselves on the history of the hotly contested region. By not supporting Israel, especially progressives and liberals, we can destabilize the security of the United States. This book explains to people why we should care. This book will educate anyone - the Jewish community or non-Jewish community, who wants to know WHY Israel is so important. She pointed out that this is not an Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It's an Israeli-Arab world conflict.
Part of the strategy is education and trying to dispel all the misperceptions out there. But this book is not about Jewishness. It's about American values. You don't have to be Jewish to support Israel. You have to understand the region and understand what the forces are, and see who supports your values, not who has a better meme.
I particularly enjoy reading history and accounts of men and women of Israel, past and present. Waited for months for this copy. What a disappointment. No hint of personal Israeli authenticity. Noa, a daughter of Abraham, and she calls the Creator ....'she'. The text comes across as if from a young American girlie from a fashionable high school. The trendy terms, abbreviated swearing and poor language structure is just what I would expect from a teenage barbie. Have retired the book, unfinished.
[Audiobook] I was excited for the opportunity to learn, but I was disappointed. I think the book was trying to be accessible and engaging, but I found it went too far toward flippant and sarcastic. I lived in Qatar for 5 years, so I’ve had one side of the story and I came here looking for the other. Some readers, myself included, might not understand the nuances or appreciate the humour on this serious topic. Sorry for being a buzzkill haha.
A Simple Book About A Complicated Country Noa Tishby's attempt at demystifying one of the most complicated countries in the planet is okayish, not that great. The conversational tone laced with tongue-in-cheek humor works. The personal experiences of Noa and her family that are woven into the chapters are interesting.
Since this book has a pro-Israel leaning, the author seems to have overlooked certain important issues like military aggression and war crimes among others. That said, she has appositely touched upon Jewish extremism in the region rather than glossing it over.
From a historical and geopolitical perspective, this book has barely scratched the surface, yet the author deserves credit for condensing it into a concise and engaging format. For those of you who want to gain a deeper understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this is not the right book since this is more ‘hasbara’ than an even-handed account.
Mostly public relations work by the author as model and Israeli activist. The history an perspective or solid and I know this model/actor/activist could use a lot less cuss words in her book. If you can put up with the impolite verbiage, over-the-top acronyms, modern English (not Hebrew) slang, and #hashtag# talk, this is largely readable. The author's internal perspective on how the press and Western Europe are brainwashed into thinking terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah are not anti-Semitic, but not racist is confusing. Since this was written pre-October 7, this is still a defensible, succinct, but off-put synopsis of anti-Israeli sentiment. The author has no beef with the Palestinian people; just the terrorist organizations who continue to commit crimes against humanity.
Incredibly informative! I listened to it and then bought the hard copy so I could reference. As a liberal Jew I do not feel supported but my fellow liberals or the right. This gave so many facts and explained why it is very difficult to separate anti semetism from anti Israel. I really hope more of my non Jewish friends (particularly those who think they they know where they stand on the conflict) read this book
Riddled with examples of self-serving “history” that ignores every major critique of Israel with remarks of blatant Islamophobia and classic tactics of deflection. “What about the human rights violations that Saudi, Turkey, and Iran commit?” is not a valid argument. Tishby did one thing right in that her book embodies the state of Israel- bullshit wrapped in a quirky fun cover for your easy consumption.
An informative and absorbing book about the history of Israel, told in a way that people will understand. It dispels a lot of misinformation and lies, and just gives FACTS. I originally borrowed this from the library, but halfway through I bought a copy because cause I was putting sticky notes on so many pages and wanted to underline important passages.
Once you get to the end of the book, there is a wonderful appendix, which summarizes all the the main, important points. My only ding on this book is that the author is a bit flip and snarky at times. The first chapter is all about her, but once you get past that, her telling of the history of Israel is compelling. This isn’t some dry history book. It doesn’t go off on tangents and keeps to the important information that you need or want to know.
A MUST read for anyone who cares about Israel, is concerned about the current crisis and wants to be knowledgeable about Israel.
I opted to read this book after the October 7th 2023 attack by Hamas against Israel. Tishby is an Israeli and she narrates the history of Israel into 8 audio discs worth of content. Her perspective favors the country and her arguments may not contain all the nuances and complexities that are involved with the compounded history of the Middle East and its peoples. I did enjoy her sharing of her personal and family history. She seems very bright and uses sprinklings of humor to help explain her points.
Íjoles, está buenísimo, super interesante, completo y complejo, lleno de datos increíbles, bien narrado y muy simpática ella (lo escucho en audio). Hay algo, no sé qué, que me atora solamente, y es totalmente estigmatizador, lo acepto. Ella es actriz, es hermosa, es joven, ¿cómo es que sabe tanto? ¿Alguien lo escribe por ella o lo hace ella sola? Muy mal de mi parte pero no sé por qué necesito que diga que la escritora es historiadora, profesora, doctora, no sé...
Pero bueno, fuera de ese comentario (quizá estúpido) de mi parte, el libro es genial, interesante, emotivo, una buena exposición objetiva, sin bias, de lo que es Israel, aunque quién lo odie, igual le buscará los errores, las mentiras se las van a inventar, a como dé lugar.
Un orgullo escucharla y saberse judío. Lo disfruté inmensamente.
This is so clearly a woman who has been fed propaganda. I would love to hear how her opinions have changed since the atrocities committed by Israel's government have come further into the light.
Overall, I found this book insensitive and Ill-informed. Tishby is clearly biased as I expected, but she also has an awfully immature writing style that just keeps you from taking her seriously.
I read this alongside "Ten Myths of Israel" by Ilan Pappe and it was interesting to see how biased and full of half-truths this was filled with when compared to Pappes actually authoritative and honest explanation of history. Noa's book was filled with anti-Arab and colonial sentiments throughout which was difficult to stomach. I think she is someone who is so brainwashed by Israeli propaganda that she is not capable of discerning or recognizing truth. It's honestly sad how she promotes this Arab vs Jews and the whole world against the Jews narrative. Fortunately the victim facade of Israel is crumbling for the whole world to see. We are seeing the atrocities they have always committed but now its streamed live on our phones. Israel is a terrorist/colonial state and so is the USA whose politicians are totally bought by AIPAC. Shame on Noa for upholding the Zionist propaganda machine, shame on her for her "sympathy" towards the Palestinians, shame on her for promoting the murder of innocent Palestinians and claiming that is the only way to keep the Jews safe. She and her supporters are the new Nazis and history will not be kind.
This was a fantastic primer on Israel, and you can tell how hard Tishby tried to present the material with an even hand. My friend and I are having our final discussion about this book tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to reading more about this region of the world, perhaps from a Palestinian and/or Arab perspective next.
One thing though, she describes that sometimes when Israel is attacked, she hits back too hard, and to that I say YA THINK. This was published in 2021, and as such Tishby couldn't have known about the Oct. 7 attack of Hamas on Israel, and the massive retaliation Israel would rain down on Gaza.
I keep trying to think of other things to say about this book but I'm at a loss at the moment. Maybe more later after we discuss.
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