The Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies
This extensive and comprehensive work delves deep into the organized looting operations carried out by Zionist Jewish residents, specifically targeting the movable assets of Palestinian Arabs who were forcibly displaced from their cities and towns during the Nakba (catastrophe). Adam Raz's meticulous research draws from a rich array of diverse archival materials, including poignant testimonies that not only unveil the stark realities of systematic mass looting but also shed light on the intricate internal political discourse surrounding these events.
Yishai Sarid's novel "The Third" is a compelling piece of dystopian literature. It is set in a future where nuclear devastation has ravaged Israel's coastal cities, including Tel Aviv; the novel revolves around the rise and fall of the "Third Temple." The plot is ignited by a renegade astronomer who brings back divine revelation in the Negev, reverting to ancient religious practices and uniting the surviving people in the mountains.
"Either Us or Them – The Battle of Al-Qastal: The Decisive 24 Hours," authored by Danny Rubinstein, an Israeli journalist renowned for his expertise in Palestinian affairs. This work represents the first Hebrew in-depth biography of Abd al-Qadir al-Husseini, an influential figure in the events of 1948. Rubinstein delves into al-Husseini's major roles and actions during April 1948, with a special focus on the critical Battle of al-Qastal. He observes that while numerous studies have covered the battles for Jerusalem, particularly al-Qastal, most have relied on Israeli and international sources, frequently neglecting Arabic references. This oversight is often due to the scarcity and inaccessibility of these sources, alongside linguistic barriers. Furthermore, the credibility of Arabic sources is sometimes diminished by Israeli and international academics, occasionally influenced by ideological biases.
"Made Public" is a meticulous exploration into the fate of Palestinian photographs captured in Israeli archives. These images, taken from Palestinian homes, fallen Palestinian individuals, or aerial views of Palestinian villages, offer a glimpse into Palestine's history and the life of its people. The book showcases high-quality, rare photographs, including aerial shots that reconstruct the landscapes of destroyed Palestinian villages.
Through memory and historiography, historian Hillel Cohen traces the events of 1929 in a manner both associative and highly calculated. He extends his geographic and chronological reach and uses a non-linear reconstruction of events to call for a thorough reconsideration of cause and effect. Sifting through Arab and Hebrew sources—many rarely, if ever, examined before—Cohen reflects on the attitudes and perceptions of Jews and Arabs who experienced the events and, most significantly, on the memories they bequeathed to later generations. The result is a multifaceted and revealing examination of a formative series of episodes that will intrigue historians, political scientists, and others interested in understanding the essence—and the very beginning—of what has been an intractable conflict.
In his book, Uri Ben Eliezer examines the evolution of Israeli warfare, marking the emergence of "Israel's New Wars." He challenges traditional notions of war legitimacy, scrutinizing the siege of Arafat at the Al-Muqata’a and the shifting role of high-ranking officers in the Israeli army. Ben Eliezer explores the influence of Israeli social groups and organizations on the conflict and highlights two key events that shaped contemporary wars: the Oslo Agreements and the Al-Aqsa Intifada. He argues that Israel's "third road" approach, characterized by intimidation, segregation, and separation, neglects the Palestinian struggle for national aspirations and legitimizes continued occupation, violence, and war.
"Holocaust, Resurrection, and Nakba," by Yair Auron and translated into Arabic by As’ad Zoabi, offers a poignant exploration of three key historical events: the Holocaust, the “birth of Israel” (referred to as "resurrection"), and the Nakba. Auron, through his research, uncovered more massacres during the Nakba than are commonly acknowledged in Israeli Jewish society. He observes that many Israelis struggle to confront these realities, resorting to suppression, denial, or retroactive justification of the state's actions.
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The Repercussions of the War against Gaza on Israel's Relations with Russia and Turkey: Will There Be Fundamental Changes?
On the collapse of the concept of "moving away from America and the West and replacing them with new friends": "Netanyahu was looking for comfortable political partners, even at the cost of harming Israel's national security."
Israeli Affairs (Issue no. 91)
