Intimate Enemies: Living with Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land

by Khaled Diab

The Holy Land is often presented as a story of two sides locked in a cycle of recurrent conflict: Jew vs Arab; Israeli vs Palestinian. For the outsider looking in, it is a question of military might and nationhood. Any view of the peoples themselves, of the lives being lived in Jerusalem, Gaza, Tel Aviv or the West Bank, is clouded by the divisive politics of the region.

In 'Intimate Enemies', Khaled Diab explores the human lives at stake in the conflict. From Palestinians evading checkpoints to attend parties, to the different approaches Israelis take in defining personal Jewish identities, to the experiences of women from across the region, 'Intimate Enemies' looks at what makes people tick. It also becomes clear in this closer understanding of the people how misleading a simple notion of two opposing sides really is. Amongst both Israelis and Palestinians, Diab finds internal cultural, ideological and historical fractures, as well as unlikely patches of common ground between the political enemies.

'Intimate Enemies: Living with Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land' is an deeply engaging read. Focussing on what life is actually like in Israel and the Palestinian territories it is a unique insight into the peoples behind the politics.

Genres: Politics, History

89 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2014

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this brief work, the ongoing political conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is examined from an historical, cultural and humanitarian perspective and finds more commonalities than between the two than is normally assumed. For example, many Israeli Jews come from an Arab and not a European background which is a common culture that can be a starting point for reconciliation. Ultimately the author settles on a "no-state" solution that emphasizes civil rights for all as a necessary step to allow a full conversation for shaping the future rather than continuing to get bogged down in discussions about land and boundaries that have been stalled for some time now.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short book. Diab is an Egyptian journalist living in Israel. His descriptions of the peoples, their lives, and their aspirations make this such an intimate book. He quotes extensively, from individuals across the political, and religious spectra; from ordinary housewives to poets.The message is massive.Despite all the difficulties of living in a country ravaged by war and so cruelly divided, people live, they love, and they laugh.
Inspiring.