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A review by raya213
On Palestine by Ilan Pappé, Noam Chomsky
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.