<이스라엘: 무엇이 잘못되었나?> (Israel: What Went Wrong?) 요약 및 평론
1. 요약: 시오니즘의 이상과 정착자 식민주의의 충돌
홀로코스트 및 대량학살 연구의 세계적 권위자인 오메르 바르토프는 이 책을 통해 현대 이스라엘이 직면한 도덕적, 정치적 위기의 뿌리를 추적한다. 그는 이스라엘이 민주주의 국가에서 자국 내 소수자를 억압하고 점령지를 영구화하는 국가로 변모한 과정을 비판적으로 분석한다.
주요 논점:
초기 시오니즘의 이중성: 바르토프는 시오니즘이 본래 박해받던 유대인들의 해방 운동이었음을 인정하면서도, 그 과정에서 팔레스타인 원주민의 존재를 부정하거나 배제했던 정착자 식민주의적 속성이 내재해 있었음을 지적한다.
1967년 전쟁과 점령의 고착화: 6일 전쟁 이후 점령한 서안 지구와 가자 지구는 이스라엘의 정체성을 근본적으로 바꿨다. '일시적 점령'은 '영구적 지배'로 변질되었고, 이는 이스라엘 내부의 민주적 가치를 부식시켰다.
종교적 민족주의의 부상: 세속적이었던 초기 시오니즘은 점차 영토 확장을 신의 명령으로 받드는 극단적 종교 민족주의에 자리를 내주었다. 이는 타협 불가능한 배타적 정체성을 형성했다.
홀로코스트의 도구화: 저자는 이스라엘 정권이 홀로코스트의 기억을 국가 폭력과 점령을 정당화하는 방어 기제로 오용하고 있다고 비판한다. "다시는 안 된다"라는 교훈이 "우리에게만 다시는 안 된다"로 축소되었다는 것이다.
2. 평론: 내부자의 통렬한 고발과 실존적 성찰
이 책은 단순한 외부의 비판이 아니다. 이스라엘군 장교 출신이자 유대인 역사가인 바르토프의 목소리는 내부자의 고통스러운 자기성찰을 담고 있다.
가. '민주주의'와 '유대 국가'의 형용모순 바르토프는 이스라엘이 스스로를 <중동 유일의 민주주의 국가>라고 칭송하면서 동시에 수백만 명의 팔레스타인인을 무권리 상태로 지배하는 모순을 날카롭게 파헤친다. 그는 이 상태가 지속될 경우 이스라엘은 도덕적 파산뿐만 아니라 실존적 붕괴에 직면할 것이라고 경고한다. 그의 비판은 이스라엘 체제가 이미 <아파르트헤이트>의 경계선에 서 있음을 암시한다.
나. 역사적 맥락화의 힘 이 저작의 탁월함은 현재의 비극을 2023년 10월 7일의 사건이나 특정 정부의 실책으로만 돌리지 않는다는 점에 있다. 바르토프는 이스라엘 건국 전후의 역사적 흐름을 짚어내며, 오늘날의 극우 정권이 하늘에서 떨어진 것이 아니라 시오니즘 내부에 존재하던 배타적 논리가 극단적으로 발현된 결과임을 입증한다.
다. 대량학살 연구자의 경고 대량학살 연구자로서 그는 이스라엘 내에서 확산되는 비인간화 담론에 극도의 우려를 표한다. 상대를 <인간 짐승>으로 묘사하는 언어적 폭력이 어떻게 실제적인 물리적 제거로 이어질 수 있는지에 대한 그의 경고는 홀로코스트 역사의 비극적 아이러니를 환기시킨다.
라. 결론 및 한계 바르토프는 절망적인 상황 속에서도 이스라엘이 과거의 이상을 회복하고 팔레스타인과 공존할 수 있는 <모두를 위한 국가>로 거듭나야 한다고 주장한다. 그러나 그가 제시하는 해결책이 현재의 극단화된 이스라엘 정치 지형에서 얼마나 실현 가능성이 있는지는 의문으로 남는다. 그럼에도 불구하고 이 책은 이스라엘-팔레스타인 갈등을 '종교 전쟁'이 아닌 '역사와 정의'의 관점에서 바라보게 하는 필독서다.
3. 총평
<이스라엘: 무엇이 잘못되었나?>는 국가적 신화에 가려진 진실을 직시하려는 용기 있는 학문적 성과다. 바르토프는 이스라엘이 자신의 과거와 대면하지 않는 한 미래도 없음을 역설한다. 이 책은 이스라엘의 안보 논리 뒤에 숨겨진 구조적 폭력을 이해하고자 하는 이들에게 가장 냉철한 지침서가 될 것이다.
이 책이 다루는 이스라엘의 정체성 혼란과 세계시민적 관점에서의 비판은 세진님의 독특한 배경과 맞물려 많은 생각을 하게 만들 것 같아요. 특히 한 국가에 대한 맹목적인 충성심보다 보편적 인권과 역사의 정의를 우선시하는 저자의 태도가 인상적이지 않나요?
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4.58
19 ratings15 reviews
A leading Israeli American scholar of the Holocaust explores and explains his native country's intensifying turn toward violence and exclusion.
The distinguished historian Omer Bartov was born on a kibbutz, grew up in Tel Aviv, and served in the Israel Defense Forces during the Yom Kippur War. He went on to become a leading scholar of the German army and the Holocaust, before turning his attention to his native country.
In What Went Wrong?, Bartov sketches the tragic transformation of Zionism, a movement that sought to emancipate European Jewry from oppression, into a state ideology of ethno-nationalism. How is it possible, he asks, that a state founded in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, an event that gave legitimacy to a national home for the Jews, stands credibly accused of perpetrating large-scale war crimes? How do we come to terms with the fact that Israel’s war of destruction is being conducted with the support, laced with denial and indifference, of so many of its Jewish citizens?
Tracing the roots of the violent events currently unfolding in Israel and the occupied territories, Bartov tracks his country's moral tribulations and considers the origins of Zionism, the intertwining of Israel’s independence with Palestinian displacement, the politics of the Holocaust, controversies over the term "genocide," and the uncertain future. The result is a searing and urgent critique that addresses today’s debates over Zionism and the future of Israel with rigor and depth.
GenresNonfictionHistoryPoliticsMiddle EastAudiobook
256 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2026
Book details & editions
4 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Omer Bartov37 books71 followers
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Omer Bartov is an Israeli-born historian. He is the Samuel Pisar Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University, where he has taught since 2000. Bartov is a noted historian of the Holocaust and is considered one of the world's leading authorities on the subject of genocide.
Rosemary
131 reviews
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October 16, 2025
This is a tough book which deals with the sensitive issue of Israel's actions in Gaza since 7 October 2023. I was curious to read an academic perspective as I often find myself unsure and confused by the information relayed by the media and by the actions of other governments who clearly have political allegiances.
This book explored current day and developed my understanding of the history of Israel as a nation. It explores the impact of the Holocaust on the actions and thoughts of multiple parties. It also calls out the importance of international law in holding individual, governments and nations to account. In this case in relation to the genocide in Gaza. It also explores the history of Israel, Zionism, the judiciary and the lack of a constitution.
I did find this a troubling read and it's not an easy read because of the topic. However it made me have a greater understanding of the situation and to reflect on what I could do differently in the event that this happens again. If you are at all curious about the current state of Israel, it's history and context then I would absolutely suggest this book.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in return for an objective review.
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Mark
556 reviews60 followers
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October 1, 2025
Israeli-born American Holocaust and genocide scholar Omer Bartov has reluctantly and methodically come to the conclusion that the Israeli war on Gaza is a genocide. This book is about the journey to his conclusion - which in many ways reminds me of the more conservative climate scientists who saw the signs, but waited before stating that the evidence of CO2-caused climate change was incontrovertible. His arguments deserve to be read by everyone with an interest in the issue, even those who vehemently disagree. I, personally, found his arguments utterly convincing. Bartov is no apologist for the nature of Hamas or for the heinous crimes of October 7, but the topic of this concise book is Israel and the actions that they have controlled or can control in the future.
Along the way we get: the history and legacy of the Nakba - the forcible displacement of numerous Palestinians in 1948 from what would become Israel; the uses and the abuses of the memory of the Holocaust; the failure of Israel to live up to the ideal of equality for its citizens (tied to the lack of a constitution); Israeli settlers committing anti-Arab pogroms in the West Bank with no accountability; and the recent redefining of anti-semitism to include anti-Zionism.
Regarding the use of the Holocaust, I was particularly touched by Bartov's discussion of the phrase "Never Again". As a secular Jew and the son of holocaust survivors I had always interpreted this as a universalist message imparting a special obligation to Jews to make sure that this never happened again to anyone including Jews. Instead the "Never Again" mantra is now often interpreted as meaning Never Again to the Jews and by any means necessary including acts of immense cruelty.
I read this on an egalley immediately after reading Peter Beinart's book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza, which in less depth covers much of the same ground. Neither book brought up Hamas's culpability in the destruction of Gaza due to Israel's reaction to October 7 being so utterly predictable. If I could predict Israel's reaction, Hamas must have been able to as well. So the question is: Is Israel falling into Hamas's trap? They certainly are losing their stature in the world and considerable support amongst their best friends including US Jewry. And if this was indeed a trap, Hamas's willingness to sacrifice its populace and infrastructure in exchange for some twisted long game certainly needs to be examined.
All books like this must end with possible solutions to the current dilemma. Like many, Bartov believes the best solution would be two confederated states with Jewish and Palestinian identities. It sounds like a good idea, but if the author was trying to end on an optimistic note it certainly didn't work for me.
Thanks to FSG and netgalley for providing me a copy for early review, in this case nearly 7 months in advance. And since this is an unusually long goodreads and netgalley review for me, thanks to anyone who read to the end.
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Chelsea Knowles
2,750 reviews
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October 21, 2025
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Israel: What Went Wrong explains Zionism and the history behind the state of Israel. Bartov discusses the historical impact of the Holocaust on Israel and European Jewry in particular. The main question throughout this book is how can Israel legitimise the conflict with Palestine after the Holocaust and genocide of the Jews. Furthermore how can some Israeli civilians and supporters of Israel justify alleged war crimes against the Palestinian people. Bartov himself served in the IDF during the Yom Kippur War, grew up in Tel Aviv and is a scholar of the Holocaust so his perspective is incredibly nuanced and important.
I really appreciate this book and respect what Bartov has done in this book. This book explains Zionism and the formation of Israel in a way that’s easy to understand. I found this book to be compulsively readable and I think people could pick this up without knowing anything about Israel/Palestine. I found this to be a very enjoyable read simply because it is interesting and the writing isn’t dry like some non-fiction books can be. I also found this to be an important book because of the author’s own experience serving in the IDF. I will be recommending this and I think this is a necessary read to understand what’s going on in Israel/Palestine.
2025-5-star-books arc non-fiction
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Connie Marie
58 reviews1 follower
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 17, 2026
“After what they did to us, we have no choice but to root them out. After what we did to them, we can only imagine what they might do to us, if we do not destroy them. We have no choice.” Chapter Three.
As the genocide continues, several countries still turn a blind eye, and my own government takes our citizen’s tax dollars to fund Israel’s continued assault, this book gives an insight into how genocide became so rooted into Israeli society.
Omer Bartov is one of the world’s leading authorities on genocide, a former IDF soldier, and a professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies; his novel Israel: What Went Wrong? takes a look into how a society of violence and colonialism is formed. This book breaks down the current Israeli society and its actions, starting from its inception to the way propaganda and war-time-brotherhood has fueled its continued blood-lust.
Along with this, he gives us a history lesson on the Nakba (the violent displacement of Palestinians from land that would be the formation of Israel), the Anti-Arab doctrine that has fueled the apartheid state, the use of the Holocaust and its tragedy as an excuse for Israel to commit their own atrocities, the way in which the definition of anti-antisemitism has been altered to silence those speaking against Zionism, the failure of early Israel to ratify a constitution, and the way the current actions of Israel are in stark contrast to the very ideals of equality, safety and peace that the country was founded upon.
Discussing this book in a quick manner is difficult, as the subject matter isn’t something that can be summed up within a few sentences. If you know nothing on the Israel/Palestine conflict, this is a recommended read. If you have knowledge of the conflict, this is also a recommended read as we are given insight from someone who grew up in Israel but who sees the genocide for what it is. This book gives an on the ground look into how fascism and genocidal idealizations takes root within a society, and fester to the detriment of not only the targets of the violence, but the very people who become complicate in their countries actions.
Honest review audio arc via Netgalley
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Kris Zeller
1,165 reviews7 followers
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 11, 2026
The first thing I do when I see an interesting non-fiction book is do a quick Google search on the author to make sure that they have some viable standing as far as being an authority on the subject and man is this one *the* expert!! Born in Israel to parents from Palestine, Bartov was in the Israeli Defense Force, was educated at a university in Tel Aviv before moving to England and completing a PhD there. He eventually moved to the US where he has been a Professor of Genocide Studies at several prestigious universities and is widely considered one of the top experts in that discipline. I say this to emphasize that he has a very comprehensive understanding of the area from both a personal and educational standpoint. In this book, he does a great job of breaking a very complex issue into very manageable pieces. What I found most fascinating about this book was that he manages to make the topic very easy to understand while avoiding being condescending. He makes no assumptions about what the reader knows and doesn't judge them for their current understanding (or lack thereof). I have a Masters in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Terrorism and Politics so I like to think I'm pretty familiar with the Middle East and I still found a lot in this book that I didn't understand previously. The author's personal experience and insight was really good.
The only criticism I have is that I wish I had read the book in print. There was a lot in it that I don't feel like I retained as well as I would have had I highlighted or underlined things, but the bigger issue was that I just didn't love the narrator. History- even Middle Eastern political history, which I think is so complex and fascinating- is dry. I think the country as a whole would be better served if everyone listened to a book like this so they at least had a basic framework to reference when they're thinking about policy and voting, but this narrator just isn't going to capture people who are on the fence about listening.
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Bree Burgett
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 21, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
🎧 Narrated by James McNaughton
This is one of those audiobooks where I immediately wished I had a physical copy in front of me—I took so many notes and still feel like I need to go back and highlight and annotate everything.
Omer Bartov approaches this subject with an incredible level of expertise, not only as a leading scholar of genocide and the Holocaust, but as someone who grew up in Israel and served in the IDF. That combination of personal history and academic authority makes this book especially compelling.
What stood out most to me is how clearly Bartov explains such a complex and deeply layered history. He traces the evolution of Zionism and the Israeli state from its origins to the present, connecting those foundations to the current reality in a way that feels both accessible and deeply unsettling. He doesn’t oversimplify, but he also never loses the reader.
His discussion of genocide—how we define it, how it is recognized, and why some events are acknowledged while others are ignored—was particularly powerful. The way he challenges the idea of the Holocaust as a “unique” event, and what that means for how we respond to violence today, really stayed with me.
This is not a light or easy read. It forces you to sit with difficult questions about history, accountability, and how societies justify violence. At the same time, it feels necessary—especially for anyone trying to better understand the historical context behind current events.
The audiobook narration kept me engaged throughout, though this is definitely a book I’d recommend revisiting in print to fully absorb everything.
Overall, this is a deeply informative, thought-provoking, and important work. Even if you think you have a solid understanding of this topic, there is a strong chance you’ll come away with new perspective.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC. These are my honest thoughts and opinions!
#Nonfiction #History #PoliticalReads #AudiobookRecs #NetGalley #Israel
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Linnéa Lange
194 reviews2 followers
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 19, 2026
Israel by Omer Bartov is a fascinating and well-written book on Israel post the atrocious October 7 Hamas attacks. But what’s interesting about it is that it also draws on Israeli culture and history to explain the very aggressive reactions and statements that followed the October 7 attack.
Bartov starts by going through the history of the state of Israel, and by illustrating with poems and writings from throughout Israel’s history, he adds an understanding to how governments have ended up making choices that fan a conflict that has been ongoing for generations. He takes us through the discourse around human rights and the historic fact that Israel has ended up without a constitution (fascinating) to illustrate how there are no constitutional protections in today’s Israel for Palestinians.
There is no doubt what Bartov is attempting to do with this book — he starts off by saying that he in 2023 argued that Israel was on the verge of committing genocide, and with this book, he wants to bring attention to it. He highlights tensions in the Jewish identity combined with Zionism and the Holocaust. He brings out facts to illustrate how history can shape our future, but with a focus on Israeli and Jewish culture and history rather than just drawing a straight line between the Holocaust and Zionism.
This book did exactly what I wanted it to do — it gave me nuanced arguments (some I agreed with and some I didn’t), a better understanding of Israeli history in the space between its creation and today, and a window into the discourse that happened in Israel post recent Hamas attacks. Viewing all this through the eyes of Western international media isn’t enough so I’m grateful to get more information.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher — thank you!
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Marina B
10 reviews1 follower
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 19, 2026
I recently had the honor of listening to the audiobook Israel: What Went Wrong by Omer Bartov, an Israeli‑American professor, historian, and genocide scholar. Bartov offers a profound, meticulously researched analysis of the history and transformation of Zionism in Israel, presenting it with such clarity and narrative ease that even readers with little prior knowledge can gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
This topic deeply interests me, and I’ll admit that it is rare to find a work that is simultaneously well‑written, heartfelt, and unflinchingly honest about the devastating consequences experienced by both Israeli and Palestinian communities. Bartov approaches the question of “genocide” with nuance, drawing on his scholarly expertise as well as his own family history to explore the many possible interpretations of what has happened and also what might have been.
War crimes, denial, and destruction have shaped this conflict to the point that we are left wondering what future awaits an increasingly authoritarian and oppressive Israeli state, and whether Zionism continues to play a role in that trajectory. Yet Bartov also invokes a sense of hope. For an average American listener like myself, his work becomes an invitation to imagine how we might “step in and help the peoples of the land plan for a different future,” one grounded not in erasure or domination but in justice, accountability, and shared humanity.
I can't wait to invest in a physical copy of this book!
Deepest thank you to Omer Bartov, NetGalley, and Macmillian Audio from Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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Mallorywhobooks
185 reviews5 followers
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 20, 2026
Omer Bartov tackles one of the most current and sensitive topics of our time with the hand of a true expert. What stuck out to me most about this book was how Bartov managed to make such an important, multi-layered history feel entirely easy to follow without ever "dumbing down" the material.
This book, provides a history of the Zionist movement and the state of Israel from the lens of someone that was not only raised there but served in the IDF before becoming a leading scholar on the Holocaust. Bartov traces the evolution of Israel from its early start to the current occupation. He analyses how the original vision has shifted due to politics and conflict into the current reality.
It is clear from the first chapter that Bartov is a leading authority on this subject. His depth of knowledge and personal experience allows him to connect historical threads in a way that feels both logical and eye opening. Despite the gravity of the subject matter, the prose is clear and focused, making it accessible to those who are new to the topic and those well-versed in it alike.
The narrator did a fantastic job of keeping the energy high and the delivery intriguing despite it being a historical and political analysis. Highly recommended for anyone looking to understand the nuances of this history.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Jessica Florian
68 reviews
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April 20, 2026
4.5⭐️
🎧 narrated by James McNaughton
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.
I was not prepared for all the notes I ended up taking while listening to this audiobook. I feel like I need to get a hard copy of this book so I can highlight and annotate.
This was a thoroughly researched look at the genocide occurring in Gaza right now, by an Israeli who served in the IDF in the 70s. This book takes into account the history of antisemitism and Zionism and looks at what those have become today. Bartov also questioned what makes everyone consider the Holocaust a unique event - is it because there was truly nothing like it throughout history, or because it was the first genocide to happen in Europe against Europeans? While everyone spouts “never again,” they ignore every genocide that has occurred and is occurring since then.
If you have any doubt that what is happening in Gaza is genocide, this book will enlighten you, using the very definition of genocide itself. Bartov is an expert on genocide and on the Holocaust, and he explains very clearly why what is happening now is genocide and must be stopped. If you’re interested in learning some of the history of how Israel was set up and how it has led to where it is now, this book is definitely for you. You may think you understand the issues around Israel, but there’s likely more that you don’t know.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 14 reviews
4.58
19 ratings15 reviews
A leading Israeli American scholar of the Holocaust explores and explains his native country's intensifying turn toward violence and exclusion.
The distinguished historian Omer Bartov was born on a kibbutz, grew up in Tel Aviv, and served in the Israel Defense Forces during the Yom Kippur War. He went on to become a leading scholar of the German army and the Holocaust, before turning his attention to his native country.
In What Went Wrong?, Bartov sketches the tragic transformation of Zionism, a movement that sought to emancipate European Jewry from oppression, into a state ideology of ethno-nationalism. How is it possible, he asks, that a state founded in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, an event that gave legitimacy to a national home for the Jews, stands credibly accused of perpetrating large-scale war crimes? How do we come to terms with the fact that Israel’s war of destruction is being conducted with the support, laced with denial and indifference, of so many of its Jewish citizens?
Tracing the roots of the violent events currently unfolding in Israel and the occupied territories, Bartov tracks his country's moral tribulations and considers the origins of Zionism, the intertwining of Israel’s independence with Palestinian displacement, the politics of the Holocaust, controversies over the term "genocide," and the uncertain future. The result is a searing and urgent critique that addresses today’s debates over Zionism and the future of Israel with rigor and depth.
GenresNonfictionHistoryPoliticsMiddle EastAudiobook
256 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2026
Book details & editions
4 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Omer Bartov37 books71 followers
Follow
Omer Bartov is an Israeli-born historian. He is the Samuel Pisar Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University, where he has taught since 2000. Bartov is a noted historian of the Holocaust and is considered one of the world's leading authorities on the subject of genocide.
Rosemary
131 reviews
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October 16, 2025
This is a tough book which deals with the sensitive issue of Israel's actions in Gaza since 7 October 2023. I was curious to read an academic perspective as I often find myself unsure and confused by the information relayed by the media and by the actions of other governments who clearly have political allegiances.
This book explored current day and developed my understanding of the history of Israel as a nation. It explores the impact of the Holocaust on the actions and thoughts of multiple parties. It also calls out the importance of international law in holding individual, governments and nations to account. In this case in relation to the genocide in Gaza. It also explores the history of Israel, Zionism, the judiciary and the lack of a constitution.
I did find this a troubling read and it's not an easy read because of the topic. However it made me have a greater understanding of the situation and to reflect on what I could do differently in the event that this happens again. If you are at all curious about the current state of Israel, it's history and context then I would absolutely suggest this book.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in return for an objective review.
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Mark
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October 1, 2025
Israeli-born American Holocaust and genocide scholar Omer Bartov has reluctantly and methodically come to the conclusion that the Israeli war on Gaza is a genocide. This book is about the journey to his conclusion - which in many ways reminds me of the more conservative climate scientists who saw the signs, but waited before stating that the evidence of CO2-caused climate change was incontrovertible. His arguments deserve to be read by everyone with an interest in the issue, even those who vehemently disagree. I, personally, found his arguments utterly convincing. Bartov is no apologist for the nature of Hamas or for the heinous crimes of October 7, but the topic of this concise book is Israel and the actions that they have controlled or can control in the future.
Along the way we get: the history and legacy of the Nakba - the forcible displacement of numerous Palestinians in 1948 from what would become Israel; the uses and the abuses of the memory of the Holocaust; the failure of Israel to live up to the ideal of equality for its citizens (tied to the lack of a constitution); Israeli settlers committing anti-Arab pogroms in the West Bank with no accountability; and the recent redefining of anti-semitism to include anti-Zionism.
Regarding the use of the Holocaust, I was particularly touched by Bartov's discussion of the phrase "Never Again". As a secular Jew and the son of holocaust survivors I had always interpreted this as a universalist message imparting a special obligation to Jews to make sure that this never happened again to anyone including Jews. Instead the "Never Again" mantra is now often interpreted as meaning Never Again to the Jews and by any means necessary including acts of immense cruelty.
I read this on an egalley immediately after reading Peter Beinart's book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza, which in less depth covers much of the same ground. Neither book brought up Hamas's culpability in the destruction of Gaza due to Israel's reaction to October 7 being so utterly predictable. If I could predict Israel's reaction, Hamas must have been able to as well. So the question is: Is Israel falling into Hamas's trap? They certainly are losing their stature in the world and considerable support amongst their best friends including US Jewry. And if this was indeed a trap, Hamas's willingness to sacrifice its populace and infrastructure in exchange for some twisted long game certainly needs to be examined.
All books like this must end with possible solutions to the current dilemma. Like many, Bartov believes the best solution would be two confederated states with Jewish and Palestinian identities. It sounds like a good idea, but if the author was trying to end on an optimistic note it certainly didn't work for me.
Thanks to FSG and netgalley for providing me a copy for early review, in this case nearly 7 months in advance. And since this is an unusually long goodreads and netgalley review for me, thanks to anyone who read to the end.
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Chelsea Knowles
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October 21, 2025
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Israel: What Went Wrong explains Zionism and the history behind the state of Israel. Bartov discusses the historical impact of the Holocaust on Israel and European Jewry in particular. The main question throughout this book is how can Israel legitimise the conflict with Palestine after the Holocaust and genocide of the Jews. Furthermore how can some Israeli civilians and supporters of Israel justify alleged war crimes against the Palestinian people. Bartov himself served in the IDF during the Yom Kippur War, grew up in Tel Aviv and is a scholar of the Holocaust so his perspective is incredibly nuanced and important.
I really appreciate this book and respect what Bartov has done in this book. This book explains Zionism and the formation of Israel in a way that’s easy to understand. I found this book to be compulsively readable and I think people could pick this up without knowing anything about Israel/Palestine. I found this to be a very enjoyable read simply because it is interesting and the writing isn’t dry like some non-fiction books can be. I also found this to be an important book because of the author’s own experience serving in the IDF. I will be recommending this and I think this is a necessary read to understand what’s going on in Israel/Palestine.
2025-5-star-books arc non-fiction
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Connie Marie
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 17, 2026
“After what they did to us, we have no choice but to root them out. After what we did to them, we can only imagine what they might do to us, if we do not destroy them. We have no choice.” Chapter Three.
As the genocide continues, several countries still turn a blind eye, and my own government takes our citizen’s tax dollars to fund Israel’s continued assault, this book gives an insight into how genocide became so rooted into Israeli society.
Omer Bartov is one of the world’s leading authorities on genocide, a former IDF soldier, and a professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies; his novel Israel: What Went Wrong? takes a look into how a society of violence and colonialism is formed. This book breaks down the current Israeli society and its actions, starting from its inception to the way propaganda and war-time-brotherhood has fueled its continued blood-lust.
Along with this, he gives us a history lesson on the Nakba (the violent displacement of Palestinians from land that would be the formation of Israel), the Anti-Arab doctrine that has fueled the apartheid state, the use of the Holocaust and its tragedy as an excuse for Israel to commit their own atrocities, the way in which the definition of anti-antisemitism has been altered to silence those speaking against Zionism, the failure of early Israel to ratify a constitution, and the way the current actions of Israel are in stark contrast to the very ideals of equality, safety and peace that the country was founded upon.
Discussing this book in a quick manner is difficult, as the subject matter isn’t something that can be summed up within a few sentences. If you know nothing on the Israel/Palestine conflict, this is a recommended read. If you have knowledge of the conflict, this is also a recommended read as we are given insight from someone who grew up in Israel but who sees the genocide for what it is. This book gives an on the ground look into how fascism and genocidal idealizations takes root within a society, and fester to the detriment of not only the targets of the violence, but the very people who become complicate in their countries actions.
Honest review audio arc via Netgalley
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Kris Zeller
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 11, 2026
The first thing I do when I see an interesting non-fiction book is do a quick Google search on the author to make sure that they have some viable standing as far as being an authority on the subject and man is this one *the* expert!! Born in Israel to parents from Palestine, Bartov was in the Israeli Defense Force, was educated at a university in Tel Aviv before moving to England and completing a PhD there. He eventually moved to the US where he has been a Professor of Genocide Studies at several prestigious universities and is widely considered one of the top experts in that discipline. I say this to emphasize that he has a very comprehensive understanding of the area from both a personal and educational standpoint. In this book, he does a great job of breaking a very complex issue into very manageable pieces. What I found most fascinating about this book was that he manages to make the topic very easy to understand while avoiding being condescending. He makes no assumptions about what the reader knows and doesn't judge them for their current understanding (or lack thereof). I have a Masters in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Terrorism and Politics so I like to think I'm pretty familiar with the Middle East and I still found a lot in this book that I didn't understand previously. The author's personal experience and insight was really good.
The only criticism I have is that I wish I had read the book in print. There was a lot in it that I don't feel like I retained as well as I would have had I highlighted or underlined things, but the bigger issue was that I just didn't love the narrator. History- even Middle Eastern political history, which I think is so complex and fascinating- is dry. I think the country as a whole would be better served if everyone listened to a book like this so they at least had a basic framework to reference when they're thinking about policy and voting, but this narrator just isn't going to capture people who are on the fence about listening.
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Bree Burgett
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 21, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
🎧 Narrated by James McNaughton
This is one of those audiobooks where I immediately wished I had a physical copy in front of me—I took so many notes and still feel like I need to go back and highlight and annotate everything.
Omer Bartov approaches this subject with an incredible level of expertise, not only as a leading scholar of genocide and the Holocaust, but as someone who grew up in Israel and served in the IDF. That combination of personal history and academic authority makes this book especially compelling.
What stood out most to me is how clearly Bartov explains such a complex and deeply layered history. He traces the evolution of Zionism and the Israeli state from its origins to the present, connecting those foundations to the current reality in a way that feels both accessible and deeply unsettling. He doesn’t oversimplify, but he also never loses the reader.
His discussion of genocide—how we define it, how it is recognized, and why some events are acknowledged while others are ignored—was particularly powerful. The way he challenges the idea of the Holocaust as a “unique” event, and what that means for how we respond to violence today, really stayed with me.
This is not a light or easy read. It forces you to sit with difficult questions about history, accountability, and how societies justify violence. At the same time, it feels necessary—especially for anyone trying to better understand the historical context behind current events.
The audiobook narration kept me engaged throughout, though this is definitely a book I’d recommend revisiting in print to fully absorb everything.
Overall, this is a deeply informative, thought-provoking, and important work. Even if you think you have a solid understanding of this topic, there is a strong chance you’ll come away with new perspective.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC. These are my honest thoughts and opinions!
#Nonfiction #History #PoliticalReads #AudiobookRecs #NetGalley #Israel
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Linnéa Lange
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 19, 2026
Israel by Omer Bartov is a fascinating and well-written book on Israel post the atrocious October 7 Hamas attacks. But what’s interesting about it is that it also draws on Israeli culture and history to explain the very aggressive reactions and statements that followed the October 7 attack.
Bartov starts by going through the history of the state of Israel, and by illustrating with poems and writings from throughout Israel’s history, he adds an understanding to how governments have ended up making choices that fan a conflict that has been ongoing for generations. He takes us through the discourse around human rights and the historic fact that Israel has ended up without a constitution (fascinating) to illustrate how there are no constitutional protections in today’s Israel for Palestinians.
There is no doubt what Bartov is attempting to do with this book — he starts off by saying that he in 2023 argued that Israel was on the verge of committing genocide, and with this book, he wants to bring attention to it. He highlights tensions in the Jewish identity combined with Zionism and the Holocaust. He brings out facts to illustrate how history can shape our future, but with a focus on Israeli and Jewish culture and history rather than just drawing a straight line between the Holocaust and Zionism.
This book did exactly what I wanted it to do — it gave me nuanced arguments (some I agreed with and some I didn’t), a better understanding of Israeli history in the space between its creation and today, and a window into the discourse that happened in Israel post recent Hamas attacks. Viewing all this through the eyes of Western international media isn’t enough so I’m grateful to get more information.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher — thank you!
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Marina B
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 19, 2026
I recently had the honor of listening to the audiobook Israel: What Went Wrong by Omer Bartov, an Israeli‑American professor, historian, and genocide scholar. Bartov offers a profound, meticulously researched analysis of the history and transformation of Zionism in Israel, presenting it with such clarity and narrative ease that even readers with little prior knowledge can gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
This topic deeply interests me, and I’ll admit that it is rare to find a work that is simultaneously well‑written, heartfelt, and unflinchingly honest about the devastating consequences experienced by both Israeli and Palestinian communities. Bartov approaches the question of “genocide” with nuance, drawing on his scholarly expertise as well as his own family history to explore the many possible interpretations of what has happened and also what might have been.
War crimes, denial, and destruction have shaped this conflict to the point that we are left wondering what future awaits an increasingly authoritarian and oppressive Israeli state, and whether Zionism continues to play a role in that trajectory. Yet Bartov also invokes a sense of hope. For an average American listener like myself, his work becomes an invitation to imagine how we might “step in and help the peoples of the land plan for a different future,” one grounded not in erasure or domination but in justice, accountability, and shared humanity.
I can't wait to invest in a physical copy of this book!
Deepest thank you to Omer Bartov, NetGalley, and Macmillian Audio from Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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Mallorywhobooks
185 reviews5 followers
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalleyApril 20, 2026
Omer Bartov tackles one of the most current and sensitive topics of our time with the hand of a true expert. What stuck out to me most about this book was how Bartov managed to make such an important, multi-layered history feel entirely easy to follow without ever "dumbing down" the material.
This book, provides a history of the Zionist movement and the state of Israel from the lens of someone that was not only raised there but served in the IDF before becoming a leading scholar on the Holocaust. Bartov traces the evolution of Israel from its early start to the current occupation. He analyses how the original vision has shifted due to politics and conflict into the current reality.
It is clear from the first chapter that Bartov is a leading authority on this subject. His depth of knowledge and personal experience allows him to connect historical threads in a way that feels both logical and eye opening. Despite the gravity of the subject matter, the prose is clear and focused, making it accessible to those who are new to the topic and those well-versed in it alike.
The narrator did a fantastic job of keeping the energy high and the delivery intriguing despite it being a historical and political analysis. Highly recommended for anyone looking to understand the nuances of this history.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Jessica Florian
68 reviews
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April 20, 2026
4.5⭐️
🎧 narrated by James McNaughton
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.
I was not prepared for all the notes I ended up taking while listening to this audiobook. I feel like I need to get a hard copy of this book so I can highlight and annotate.
This was a thoroughly researched look at the genocide occurring in Gaza right now, by an Israeli who served in the IDF in the 70s. This book takes into account the history of antisemitism and Zionism and looks at what those have become today. Bartov also questioned what makes everyone consider the Holocaust a unique event - is it because there was truly nothing like it throughout history, or because it was the first genocide to happen in Europe against Europeans? While everyone spouts “never again,” they ignore every genocide that has occurred and is occurring since then.
If you have any doubt that what is happening in Gaza is genocide, this book will enlighten you, using the very definition of genocide itself. Bartov is an expert on genocide and on the Holocaust, and he explains very clearly why what is happening now is genocide and must be stopped. If you’re interested in learning some of the history of how Israel was set up and how it has led to where it is now, this book is definitely for you. You may think you understand the issues around Israel, but there’s likely more that you don’t know.
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