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Israel on the Brink: Eight Steps For a Better Future
Oneworld Publications Israel on the Brink ABISBOOK Oneworld Publications.
Hardcover
18 people want to read
About the author
Ilan Pappé
95 books1,839 followersIlan Pappé is a professor with the College of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of Exeter in the UK, director of the university's European Centre for Palestine Studies, co-director of the Exeter Centre for Ethno-Political Studies, and political activist. He was formerly a senior lecturer in political science at the University of Haifa (1984–2007) and chair of the Emil Touma Institute for Palestinian and Israeli Studies in Haifa (2000–2008).
Pappé is one of Israel's "New Historians" who, since the release of pertinent British and Israeli government documents in the early 1980s, have been rewriting the history of Israel's creation in 1948, and the corresponding expulsion or flight of 700,000 Palestinians in the same year. He has written that the expulsions were not decided on an ad hoc basis, as other historians have argued, but constituted the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, in accordance with Plan Dalet, drawn up in 1947 by Israel's future leaders. He blames the creation of Israel for the lack of peace in the Middle East, arguing that Zionism is more dangerous than Islamic militancy, and has called for an international boycott of Israeli academics.
His work has been both supported and criticized by other historians. Before he left Israel in 2008, he had been condemned in the Knesset, Israel's parliament; a minister of education had called for him to be sacked; his photograph had appeared in a newspaper at the centre of a target; and he had received several death threats.
Pappé is one of Israel's "New Historians" who, since the release of pertinent British and Israeli government documents in the early 1980s, have been rewriting the history of Israel's creation in 1948, and the corresponding expulsion or flight of 700,000 Palestinians in the same year. He has written that the expulsions were not decided on an ad hoc basis, as other historians have argued, but constituted the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, in accordance with Plan Dalet, drawn up in 1947 by Israel's future leaders. He blames the creation of Israel for the lack of peace in the Middle East, arguing that Zionism is more dangerous than Islamic militancy, and has called for an international boycott of Israeli academics.
His work has been both supported and criticized by other historians. Before he left Israel in 2008, he had been condemned in the Knesset, Israel's parliament; a minister of education had called for him to be sacked; his photograph had appeared in a newspaper at the centre of a target; and he had received several death threats.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 30, 2025
A critical examination of Israel's societal and political landscape is presented in Ilan Pappe's "Israel on the Brink." The book serves as both an urgent historical account and a personal narrative, reflecting Pappe's deep concern over the country's current turmoil. Known for his critical views of Israeli policies, Pappe intertwines recent developments such as judicial overhauls, mass protests, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict into a cohesive narrative that illustrates the ideological fractures within Israeli society. He emphasizes the dangers of nationalism, urging readers to confront the moral implications of occupation and political polarization.
Pappe's analytical and accessible prose invites dialogue, challenging the myths underpinning inequality and connecting contemporary issues with historical contexts. By articulating the complexities of democracy versus ethnicity, and security versus humanity, he provides a layered analysis that allows readers to grasp the deep-rooted issues facing Israel today. His work is not merely a political commentary; it serves as a moral inquiry, compelling readers to reflect on the consequences of silence in the pursuit of security and the lessons history imparts. Thus, "Israel on the Brink" provokes thought and discussion, leaving an enduring impact that extends beyond its pages.
Pappe's analytical and accessible prose invites dialogue, challenging the myths underpinning inequality and connecting contemporary issues with historical contexts. By articulating the complexities of democracy versus ethnicity, and security versus humanity, he provides a layered analysis that allows readers to grasp the deep-rooted issues facing Israel today. His work is not merely a political commentary; it serves as a moral inquiry, compelling readers to reflect on the consequences of silence in the pursuit of security and the lessons history imparts. Thus, "Israel on the Brink" provokes thought and discussion, leaving an enduring impact that extends beyond its pages.
March 14, 2026
In some ways it feels bleak to read a somewhat hopeful and certainly constructive book, published so recently (6 months ago) that already feels anachronistic: a lot of the suggested solutions feel further away than ever in the face of Israel’s current forms of aggressions and increased expansions.
However I have a responsibility as an educator, and we all have responsibility as humans, to not give up hope and fight for those oppressed by Israel - be it their bombed neighbours, the countries whose governments are lobbied for financial and military complicit subordination, or the violently oppressed Palestinians themselves - at least for as long as any survive, even if in depleted numbers and horrifyingly worsened conditions.
At least with this book we are offered imaginings of solutions rather than understandable but inactive despair. I’d prefer reality to imaginings but I prefer imaginings to hopeless defeat.
This book is written by an Israeli born academic - an important reminder than even when polls suggest the vast majority of the population support their government and military’s war crimes, not everyone does. Another form of hope.
However I have a responsibility as an educator, and we all have responsibility as humans, to not give up hope and fight for those oppressed by Israel - be it their bombed neighbours, the countries whose governments are lobbied for financial and military complicit subordination, or the violently oppressed Palestinians themselves - at least for as long as any survive, even if in depleted numbers and horrifyingly worsened conditions.
At least with this book we are offered imaginings of solutions rather than understandable but inactive despair. I’d prefer reality to imaginings but I prefer imaginings to hopeless defeat.
This book is written by an Israeli born academic - an important reminder than even when polls suggest the vast majority of the population support their government and military’s war crimes, not everyone does. Another form of hope.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews