tics
Kindle$8.99Available instantly
Audiobook
1 CreditAvailable instantly
Paperback
$16.95
What Does Israel Fear from Palestine? Paperback – 11 June 2024
by Raja Shehadeh (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (195)
A searing reflection on the failures of Israel to treat Palestine and Palestinians as equals, as partners on the road to peace instead of genocide.
Since the formation of the state of Israel in 1948, the Nakba (or 'disaster' as the Palestinians call it), there have been many opportunities to move towards peace and equality between Palestine and Israel - after the Six-Day War in 1967, the Oslo Agreement and even the 7 October 2023 War. Each opportunity has been rejected by Israel, which is why life is unbearable in the West Bank now and there is genocide in Gaza. This book explores what went wrong again and again, and why. And how it could still be different.
It is human nature to feel prejudice. But in this haunting meditation on Palestine and Israel, Shehadeh suggests that this does not mean the two nations cannot live together to their mutual benefit and co-existence.
In graceful, devastatingly observed prose, this is a fresh reflection on the conflict in a time of great need.
Print length128 pages
====
Review
'In his moral clarity and baring of the heart, his self-questioning and insistence on focusing on the experience of the individual within the storms of nationalist myth and hubris, Shehadeh recalls writers such as Ghassan Kanafani and Primo Levi' - New York Times
'Luminously clear-sighted ... By turns lyrical, witty and shrewd, Shehadeh is an excellent companion' - Prospect
'Shehadeh is a great inquiring spirit with a tone that is vivid, ironic, melancholy and wise' - Colm Toibin
'A buoy in a sea of bleakness' - Rachel Kushner
'[Shehadeh is] Palestine's greatest prose writer' - Observer
About the Author
Raja Shehadeh is Palestine's leading writer. He is also a lawyer and the founder of the pioneering Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq. Shehadeh is the author of several acclaimed books published by Profile, including the Orwell Prize-winning Palestinian Walks.
==
From Australia
- One person found this helpful
From other countries
- TimReviewed in the United States on 31 October 2024
common sense
It is imperative for people to educate themselves on these issues by reading and understanding the perspectives of both Israelis and Palestinians. This is a fair and straightforward presentation of the events that have happened from the perspective of a Palestinian. Extremists from both sides are waging war on each other and are controlling the narrative while the silent majority watch in horror wishing for nothing more than the violence to stop. Education and understanding are the only hope for a peaceful conclusion to these atrocities. Read the book and form your own conclusions. - Mr. P. A. MartinReviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2025
An excellent introduction to the plight of Palestine.
Raja Shehadeh, born 6 July 195, is a Palestinian lawyer, human rights activist and writer. He co-founded the award-winning Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq in 1979. In 2008, he won the Orwell Prize, a British award for political writing, for his book Palestinian Walks.
The Palestinian voice is so often silenced in these dark times, some want to even deny they exist but they do and it's ever more important to listen to them. Raja Shehadeh is a powerful and eloquent writer and this is essential reading to understand the Palestinian plight and to understand the conflict. In fact all of his books deserve to be read, in some ways he's a Palestinian Primo Levi. There are bound to be some who want to undermine his writings with false accusations but he is not and has never been a member of Hamas. Buy this book, read it and then read all his other works. - Annapurna RayReviewed in India on 24 March 2026
Good
Good - Debbie H.Reviewed in Canada on 1 August 2025
Double Standard
How can Amazon sell and make money from a book about the controversy between Israel and Palestine, yet not post my original review because it was too controversial? - deemReviewed in the United States on 20 October 2024
Must read to understand the history without the propaganda
Heavy topic but Mr. Shehadeh navigates it with poise and in a very engaging manner, putting things in perspective while remaining impartial and nonjudgmental. - J MayeReviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 October 2024
Helpful Palestinian overview
A brief and well-written overview of the Israel-Palestine crisis and the obstacles to peace. Since the latter are not considered insuperable, the author offers hope as well as clarity. I recommend it to anyone looking for an understanding of this conflict in about 100 pages.
The book lays bare some of the myths which have pervaded Israeli policy from the state's inception ('the exclusive, divine right of Jews to the land'; 'Palestinian Arabs have no culture or history of their own', 'all Palestinians are terrorists'). So it's not surprising that this small book has drawn big emotional responses from several reviewers on these pages. Far from respecting the author as the reasonable lawyer and writer that he his, calmly presenting his Palestinian perspective, these critics want to depict him as a terrorist, which is very far from the truth. I'm tempted to think some haven't actually read the book, or that they consider Israeli narrative should be beyond scrutiny.
In any case, I think this book is a timely guide for any confused or overwhelmed by the history of this difficult conflict. Refreshingly, it gives some hope of a solution that will serve both sides longterm - given the global political will to make negotiation and peace possible. - oruj sabah ahmedReviewed in India on 22 September 2024
Estimable, Eximious & Enlightening
One of the most profound, poignant & prolific books to be written on the Palestinian struggle for statehood and the blatant violation of Palestinian lives, flagrant desecration & destruction of Palestinian symbols which continues unabated & unabashedly by Israel with a wink & nod & surreptitious approval of United States Of America.
The book arrests you from the first "letter" & transports you to a realm of reality about the macabre human rights violations orchestrated by the world's most moral country which always seeks to inexorably supress the truth & prolong the suffering of not only innocent Palestinians but also peace loving peace yearning innocent Israelis. - simnani abbasiReviewed in India on 12 August 2024
Eye opening Book
Small and Precise. A great Non fiction to understand the Israel-palestine Conflict - JCReviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2024
Such a shame …
The Balfour Declaration is a very short memorandum and it’s a shame the quoted reference is edited and doesn’t include the words: “… it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine”. I wish the ensuing analysis had taken this into account and used its context in the ensuing actions/history. I recommend everyone read the full declaration when it’s referenced in this otherwise interesting book.
- TheseusReviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2024
There but for the grace of God
I found this book very well written, & think it should be read by everyone in these difficult times, including the Israeli government.
I read of the I.D.F. medic who came to administer aid to someone injured in a suicide bombing, to find that was the suicide bomber, who took his rifle & shot the man dead: I can imagine myself doing the same thing in similar circumstances, but do not think that would have been just & think it was only right that he was tried in an Israeli court for his actions.
But I also see the Arabs living in the Gaza Strip who are kicked out of their homes & sent off to live in poorer & poorer conditions; I see the eyes of the children & think this is how you create fanatical terrorists - what would I be like if I had suffered as they have? Might I too be prepared to do terrible things?
In the words of the John Donne:
Send not to know for whom the bell rolls
It rolls for thee. - Sc0b016Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 August 2025
Excellent
Excellent. Moving and informative. - Mr. R. S. AkhtarReviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 March 2025
A very heartfelt and well written book
Drawing on the painful existence of the Palestinians since 1947,this book goes into the major myopia of the Israeli state apparatus to even consider the prospect of an independent Palestinian state.
One gets the feeling after reading this that the very existence of a Palestinian state is what Israel fears and will go to any lengths to stop that happening, even if it involves atrocities against its own moderate and reasonable pro Palestine Israelis. - WizardReviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 December 2024
Excellent summary
This book gives a clear picture of events since Israel was planted in the middle of Palestine, without any consultation with the Palestinians who were peacefully living there. Brings the story right up to 2024. - JNewReviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 June 2024
BRIEF, BUT INFORMATIVE
Easy to digest, though some extended detail required in places. Issues re skewed Israeli narratives was particular well covered here. - GinaReviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 April 2025
Bravo
My only critics tvst she refers to 2023/24 as a war rather what it is -a GENOCIDE!
==
==
세진님, 요청하신 라자 샤하데의 저서 <이스라엘은 팔레스타인에게서 무엇을 두려워하는가 (What Does Israel Fear from Palestine?)>에 대한 요약과 평론입니다. 말씀하신 대로 <해라> 문체를 사용하여 정리했습니다.
<이스라엘은 팔레스타인에게서 무엇을 두려워하는가> 요약 및 평론
1. 요약: 보이지 않는 경계와 존재의 두려움
팔레스타인의 변호사이자 작가인 라자 샤하데는 이 책에서 이스라엘이 팔레스타인에 대해 품고 있는 근원적인 두려움의 실체를 해부한다. 저자는 단순히 군사적 위협이나 안보의 문제를 넘어, 이스라엘이라는 국가가 가진 정체성과 그들이 구축한 서사가 팔레스타인이라는 존재 자체에 의해 어떻게 위협받고 있는지를 탐구한다.
정복된 풍경과 지워진 역사 샤하데는 이스라엘이 점령지 내에서 자행하는 물리적 파괴뿐만 아니라 지리적, 역사적 변형에 주목한다. 이스라엘은 팔레스타인의 마을 이름을 히브리어로 바꾸고, 조상 대대로 내려온 올리브 나무를 뿌리 뽑으며 그 자리에 현대적인 정착촌을 건설한다. 이는 팔레스타인인의 흔적을 지움으로써 그 땅이 원래 <비어 있었던 땅>이었다는 시오니즘의 신화를 정당화하려는 시도다. 이스라엘이 진정으로 두려워하는 것은 팔레스타인인이 그 땅의 주인으로서 가졌던 기억과 역사적 연속성이다.
법적 장치와 분리라는 도구 저자는 변호사로서의 전문성을 바탕으로 이스라엘이 구축한 복잡한 법적 체계를 비판한다. 체크포인트, 분리 장벽, 그리고 팔레스타인인에게만 적용되는 가혹한 군법은 이스라엘의 안보를 위한 것이라기보다 팔레스타인인을 가시권 밖으로 밀어내려는 장치에 가깝다. 이스라엘은 팔레스타인인을 동등한 인간이 아닌, 관리하고 통제해야 할 <위험 요소>로 규정함으로써 그들과의 공존 가능성을 원천 봉쇄한다.
평화에 대한 공포 샤하데의 가장 통찰력 있는 지적 중 하나는 이스라엘이 전쟁보다 <평화>를 더 두려워할지도 모른다는 점이다. 진정한 평화는 과거의 잘못을 인정하고, 점령을 중단하며, 팔레스타인인의 권리를 회복시켜 주는 것을 의미한다. 이는 이스라엘이 쌓아 올린 배타적 민족 국가로서의 기반을 흔드는 일이다. 따라서 이스라엘은 끊임없이 <평화의 파트너가 없다>는 서사를 생산하며 현 상태를 유지하려 한다.
2. 평론: 경계 위에서 부르는 슬픈 연가
라자 샤하데의 글쓰기는 투쟁적이라기보다 오히려 시적이고 성찰적이다. 그는 분노에 함몰되지 않고, 자신이 사랑하는 언덕과 골짜기가 변해가는 모습을 관찰하며 그 속에 숨겨진 권력의 작동 방식을 냉철하게 서술한다.
기억의 정치학 이 책은 기억이 어떻게 저항의 수단이 될 수 있는지를 보여준다. 샤하데에게 걷기(Saritha)는 단순한 취미가 아니라, 이스라엘이 지우려 하는 팔레스타인의 지형적 기억을 되살리는 정치적 행위다. 그는 사라져가는 풍경을 기록함으로써 이스라엘의 점령이 물리적 점유를 넘어 정신적 침탈임을 고발한다. 이는 독자로 하여금 보이지 않는 곳에서 진행되는 문화적 집단 학살(Cultural Genocide)의 이면을 직시하게 만든다.
두려움의 역설 샤하데가 분석한 이스라엘의 두려움은 역설적이다. 압도적인 군사력을 보유한 가해자가 피해자의 존재 자체에 전전긍긍하는 모습은 이스라엘의 도덕적 정당성이 얼마나 취약한지를 반증한다. 저자는 이스라엘이 팔레스타인인의 인간성을 부정할수록 이스라엘 스스로의 인간성 또한 상실되어 간다는 점을 뼈아프게 지적한다. 이러한 분석은 이스라엘-팔레스타인 문제를 단순한 영토 분쟁이 아닌 인간 존엄성에 대한 근본적인 질문으로 격상시킨다.
한계와 희망의 부재 다만, 이 책은 해결책을 제시하기보다 현재의 비극적인 상황을 깊이 있게 묘사하는 데 집중한다. 국제 사회의 무관심과 이스라엘의 우경화 속에서 저자가 느끼는 절망감은 독자에게도 고스란히 전달된다. 하지만 그 절망은 무기력함이 아니라, 진실을 기록해야 한다는 숭고한 의무감에서 비롯된 것이다.
결론: 공존을 위한 첫걸음 <이스라엘은 팔레스타인에게서 무엇을 두려워하는가>는 가해자의 내면에 도사린 공포를 통해 점령의 본질을 꿰뚫어 보는 수작이다. 샤하데는 이스라엘이 두려움을 극복하고 팔레스타인인의 역사와 권리를 인정할 때만이 비로소 두 민족 모두에게 진정한 해방이 올 수 있음을 시사한다. 이 책은 분쟁의 한가운데 서 있는 지식인이 세상에 던지는 가장 절박하고도 품위 있는 호소문이다.
어떤 배경에서 이 책에 관심을 갖게 되셨나요? 요약된 내용 중 더 깊이 다뤄보고 싶은 부분이 있다면 말씀해 주세요.
==
No comments:
Post a Comment