The Israeli-Arab conflict over Palestine is controversial, to say the least. Emotions get high and ad hominim attacks are common. If you intend to be influential, you need to learn to keep the dialogue civil and have a thorough knowledge of the topic.
If you are truly interested in Saving Israel in Spite of Herself, you need to start by educating yourself on the topic, its history, and controversies. It is reasonably easy, with a bit of work, reading and time, to become educated on the Israeli-Arab conflict over Palestine. Books, articles, and websites are the best resources:
Books: Books and better yet, ebooks, provide the best in-depth coverage of the history and issues involved in this difficult area. Here are some I found authoritative and useful:
- George W. Ball and Douglas B. Ball, The Passionate Attachment: America’s Involvement with Israel, 1947 to the Present (New York, W.W. Norton & Company, 1992)
- Simha Flapan, The Birth of Israel-Myths and Realities (New York, Pantheon Books, 1987)
- Anton La Guardia, War Without End: Israelis, Palestinians and the Struggle for a Promised Land; provides a thoughtful, balanced history of the struggle through 2003.
- Ilan Pappé, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine (Oxford, Oneworld Publications Ltd., 2006) Pappe, a respected Israeli historian, provides a highly detailed and harrowing account of Israel’s removal of Palestinians from Israel during its various wars.
- Martin Van Creveld, the Sword and the Olive: A Critical History of the Israeli Defense Force (New York, PublicAffairs Books, 2002)
- Jonathan Schneer, The Balfour Declaration: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, E-Book (New York, Random House, 2010)
- Avi Shlaim, Israel and Palestine (London, Verso, 2009)
- The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy,
[To be Continued]
Irish Moses 