Book SummaryTen Myths About Israel, by Ilan Pappe

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Ten Myths About Israel

History and Politics of the Conflict Between Israelis and Palestinians: Key Events in 1948 and 1967

The Roots and Characteristics of the Dispute

This section outlines Pappe's arguments about the realities of pre-Zionist Israel/Palestine and the Jewish community that lived there before the mass arrival of settlers in the late 19th century. He debunks the common myths that Palestine was empty and that Jews were a landless people "returning" to their ancient homeland. By establishing the historical context, Pappe sets the stage for his later analysis of the conflict's key events and Israel's nature.

Palestine Thrived as a Predominantly Arab Society Before Late 19th-Century Zionist Settlers

Pappe challenges the prevailing narrative that the area that is now Palestine was an underdeveloped and sparsely populated land prior to the arrival of Zionist settlers. He argues that, under Ottoman rule, Palestine was a flourishing Arab society, primarily Muslim, with a vibrant agricultural sector, active urban centers, and diverse cultural influences. The population just prior to the advent of Zionists was around half a million, with Jews comprising only a small percentage. Pappe criticizes how Israel's foreign ministry portrays 16th-century Palestinian territories as predominantly Jewish and commercially centered around Jewish communities, emphasizing that this narrative holds no historical validity.

Drawing on the work of Israeli scholars such as David Grossman, Amnon Cohen, and Yehoushua Ben-Arieh, Pappe presents a contrasting picture of Ottoman-era Palestine as a society integrated with the Eastern Mediterranean world, undergoing modernization and nation-building. Leaders like Daher al-Omar, who lived from 1690 to 1775, led urban revitalization projects in cities like Haifa, Tiberias, and Akko. The coastal towns flourished due to commerce with European countries, whereas the inland plains were actively involved in trade with neighboring regions. Pappe asserts that, had Zionism not emerged, Palestine would likely have continued progressing and developing, mirroring the paths taken by surrounding countries.

Practical Tips

• Explore your local farmers' market to connect with the roots of agricultural communities. By purchasing from local farmers, you engage with the modern descendants of historical agricultural societies, fostering an appreciation for the role of farming in cultural development.
• Create a personal blog or vlog series where you document your journey of exploring historical accuracy. Choose a topic, like the demographic makeup of a historical region, and share your findings, thoughts, and questions with an audience. This not only helps you process what you've learned but also contributes to a wider conversation about historical representation and encourages others to think critically about the past.
• Start a neighborhood beautification project by organizing a group of volunteers. This could involve planting trees, creating murals, or cleaning up public spaces. By improving the physical environment, you can help instill a sense of community and pride, which can be the first step towards broader urban revitalization.
• Engage in a personal project to map out a "trade route" of your own by planning a series of day trips or a road trip that follows the paths of historical trade in your region. Document the journey through photos, notes, or videos, paying special attention to the ways in which the landscape has influenced the types of goods and services available. This could be as simple as following a river upstream and noting the different types of agriculture or industry present at various points along the way.
• Engage in conversations with people from different backgrounds about their countries' development paths. Ask about their personal or familial experiences with progress and change in their homelands. This can provide you with diverse perspectives on development and the factors that influence it.

Pre-Zionist Jews in Palestine Were Religious, Not Nationalist

Before the rise of Zionism, the connection between Jewish communities worldwide and Palestine was primarily religious and spiritual, centered around pilgrimage and study, not driven by nationalist aspirations to establish a Jewish state. Pappe asserts that, contrary to Zionist narratives, the Jewish population in Ottoman-era Palestine was small and opposed to political Zionism. He points to historical evidence showing that early Christian Zionists, rather than Jews, were the primary advocates for the "return" of Jews to Palestine and the establishment of a Jewish state. This sentiment was prominent in Victorian Britain, where figures like Lord Shaftesbury and James Finn actively promoted the idea of Jewish "restoration" alongside British imperial interests in the region.

Pappe highlights the significant influence of Protestant millenarianism in shaping these early forms of Zionist Christianity. Figures like Thomas Brightman and Henry Oldenburg associated the "return" of Jews to Palestine with the fulfillment of prophecies and the Messiah's arrival. This theological belief, often combined with anti-Semitic sentiment, fueled the desire to relocate Jews to the region, seen as a way to create a Europe free of Jews while simultaneously advancing a divine plan. Pappe argues that this confluence of religious fervor, anti-Semitism, and British imperial ambitions paved the way for the Balfour Declaration in 1917, marking a significant turning point in the history of Palestine and the rise of political Zionism.

Practical Tips

• Explore your own spiritual connection to the land by starting a pilgrimage journal. Document your visits to local places of spiritual significance, noting your thoughts, feelings, and any historical or religious context you learn. This can deepen your understanding of how physical spaces contribute to spiritual experiences, similar to the pre-Zionist Jews'...

Ten Myths About Israel Summary Myths About Conflict Origins, Israeli Ideology, and the State

In this section, Pappe deconstructs common myths about how the conflict between Israel and Palestine started, Zionism's essence, and the nature of Israel's statehood. He challenges the idealized image of the country as a benevolent democracy, formed from necessity, presenting a critical analysis of its historical narratives and policies.

Myths About Palestinian Land

This part deconstructs two core myths about Palestine. The initial misconception is that the land was underdeveloped and waiting for Zionist settlers to make it bloom, a myth linked to the idea that Jews were a landless people, returning to their ancestral homeland. Pappe presents these as interconnected justifications for taking Palestinian land.

Myth of Palestine as Undeveloped Land Awaiting Zionists

Pappe argues that the portrayal of Palestine as an empty and desolate land awaiting Zionist development is a fabricated narrative designed to legitimize the Palestinians' displacement. He argues that this myth, propagated through official Israeli channels, textbooks, and media, ignores the rich history and vibrant society that existed in Palestine prior to the coming of Zionist settlers.

The author points...

Ten Myths About Israel Summary How Israel Treats Palestinians in Occupied Areas and Gaza

This final section examines the specific ways Israel has treated and continues to treat Palestinians who live in areas under its control. Pappe focuses on both the repression and discrimination faced by Palestinians within Israel, as well as the systematic oppression experienced by those living in occupied areas, specifically in Gaza. He argues that Israeli policies, both historically and currently, reveal a pattern of control and dispossession, designed to maintain Jewish dominance over the land and its resources.

Oppression and Discrimination Against Palestinians Within Israel

This section focuses on two major aspects of Israel’s treatment of Palestinian people inside its internationally recognized borders. The other is the inequality and discrimination since then.

Military Rule Over Palestinians Within Pre-1967 Israel

Pappe highlights that the commonly held image of Israel as a democratic state falters when considering how it treated Palestinians within its borders, particularly before 1967. He underscores the reality that Palestinian citizens within Israel were governed by military rule from 1948 to 1966, which severely restricted their basic human and civil...

Ten Myths About Israel Summary Potential Solutions and the Path Forward Regarding the Conflict

This section ventures into the realm of possible solutions and the future of the conflict. The first subsection examines the flaws and impracticality of the two-state solution, while the second outlines Pappe's vision for a democratic, binational future for Israel-Palestine.

Criticisms of the Two-State Approach

This section, the shortest in the book, critiques the prevalent notion that a clear way exists to achieve peace in the Israeli-Palestinian region. Following many academics and campaigners, Pappe clearly explains why this is untrue.

Impossibility of Implementing Two-State Approach Given Israeli Expansion

Pappe argues that a solution based on two states, long considered the most viable path to peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict, is now a defunct and unrealistic proposition due to the irreversible changes on the ground brought about by Israel's settlement expansion and territorial control. He asserts that the constant growth of settlements, the fragmentation of Palestinian territories, and the construction of the separation barrier have rendered the creation of a contiguous and viable Palestinian nation impossible.

The author highlights the impossibility of...