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raya213's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
This book is a conversation between Chomsky and Pappé on Palestine. They divide it to three broad sections: past (1948, colonialism, ethnic cleansing, etc.), present (BDS, resistance, activisim), and future (what does a free Palestine mean?).
What can I say about Chomsky and Pappé except that I'm glad they exist and wrote on the matter. I have a lot of thoughts after reading this book but I will keep it short here and write more privately.
Although I did not really learn anything new (except for some small details), the book is still very good because it articulates many ideas I have using the appropriate language for them. In the first chapter, Pappé talks about the importance of language and the creation of a new dictionary to describe the cause of Palestine, and I fully understand what he means. I was hopeful that many of the terms he suggests are used today to describe the situation in Palestine. For example settler-colonialism, the simplicity of the problem and it being painted as this nuance complex problem, etc.
To be honest, I get lost in the discussion of one-state vs. two-state solutions. In my opinion, I don’t really see how one state could work. I don’t think either side wants to live with the other. In my mind, the solution is for Israel to amend. Admit the atrocities it has committed, help in creating a Palestinian state, and, most importantly, pay reparations. Ensure the Palestinian state has a good economy and help make them flourish. Just like Germany did and is doing with Israel. If this really happens, I would move back to Palestine in a heartbeat. The problem that remains, I guess, is how to divide the land. I think all land and natural resources must be carefully considered when dividing. Maybe something like the north coast + Galilee + west bank for Palestine and southern coast + Naqab + Eilat for Israel. I don’t know; I’m just making this up. But when it comes to this, I think we, as Palestinians, need to compromise. It’s heartbreaking to write this, but I think this is the only way.
Anyyyway I will be recommending this book to people who have no idea about Palestine but still talk as if they do.
What can I say about Chomsky and Pappé except that I'm glad they exist and wrote on the matter. I have a lot of thoughts after reading this book but I will keep it short here and write more privately.
Although I did not really learn anything new (except for some small details), the book is still very good because it articulates many ideas I have using the appropriate language for them. In the first chapter, Pappé talks about the importance of language and the creation of a new dictionary to describe the cause of Palestine, and I fully understand what he means. I was hopeful that many of the terms he suggests are used today to describe the situation in Palestine. For example settler-colonialism, the simplicity of the problem and it being painted as this nuance complex problem, etc.
To be honest, I get lost in the discussion of one-state vs. two-state solutions. In my opinion, I don’t really see how one state could work. I don’t think either side wants to live with the other. In my mind, the solution is for Israel to amend. Admit the atrocities it has committed, help in creating a Palestinian state, and, most importantly, pay reparations. Ensure the Palestinian state has a good economy and help make them flourish. Just like Germany did and is doing with Israel. If this really happens, I would move back to Palestine in a heartbeat. The problem that remains, I guess, is how to divide the land. I think all land and natural resources must be carefully considered when dividing. Maybe something like the north coast + Galilee + west bank for Palestine and southern coast + Naqab + Eilat for Israel. I don’t know; I’m just making this up. But when it comes to this, I think we, as Palestinians, need to compromise. It’s heartbreaking to write this, but I think this is the only way.
Anyyyway I will be recommending this book to people who have no idea about Palestine but still talk as if they do.
travelingdm32's review against another edition
5.0
I'm going to need to reread this, just so I understand it completely. But a good discussion on a variety of topics surrounding Palestine and Israel
reeducating_the_phoenix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Written in 2015, its heartbreaking to hear them talk and it be even more relevant today. Since October 10th Palestine has been subject to carpet bombing by their occupier Israel, in an endeavor to finish the ethnic cleansing that began in 1948, following a pattern of aggression and ceasefires. This book delves into where to go from here, what other countries fight against genocide can teach us, and opens up the way to discuss what everyone wants to call "an overly complex issue"
gotossmycausticsalad's review against another edition
Hard to quantify this one really. The discussion format was interesting. I disagreed with some of Chomsky's points - like the one about the ASA boycott - so it was interesting to see them in context of a conversation with pushback.
The latter part of the book - the collection of essays - is quite repetitive.
The latter part of the book - the collection of essays - is quite repetitive.
lottie1803's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
eventyrlys's review
informative
4.0
This book is incredibly informative and provide an unflinching look at the situation in Palestine and the real issues with the peace process as it stands now. The only fault with this book lies in some minor editing issues and in that there is some repetition expecting towards the end when it presents several essays that have overlapping ideas and anecdotes.