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Industry of Lies: Media, Academia, and the Israeli-Arab Conflict
The Industry of Lies is one of the greatest frauds of recent decades - a fraud of historic, even epic, proportions. When almost half of all Europeans believe that Israel treats the Palestinians just like the Nazis treated the Jews, when leading politicians assert that the Arab-Israeli conflict is the central cause of violence in the world, and when prominent intellectuals argue that Israel is an apartheid state, the unfortunate reality is that the lies are winning.
As a result, Israel has become the devil incarnate in the eyes of many otherwise good and reasonable people - people who genuinely want to see peace but inadvertently contribute to the continuation of the Israeli-Arab conflict. The tragedy is that they are neither helping the Palestinians nor promoting agreement or reconciliation. Instead, they lend legitimacy to the most fallacious claims of the most extreme activists, empowering not moderates but the worst of the radicals who have no interest in attaining peace.
Israel is not free from flaws. However, this book draws a clear distinction between legitimate criticism and the industry of lies that has emerged from two unlikely sources - the media and academia - undermining their reputation as bastions of truth and knowledge. Ben-Dror Yemini presents an in-depth analysis of the many inaccurate and malicious accusations leveled against Israel and refutes them one by one in this thought-provoking and well-researched volume that invites us to rethink the causes and consequences of the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Praise for Industry of Lies
Ben-Dror Yemini’s book is a must-read for readers of independent mind. A brilliant and creative Israeli writer-scholar, Yemini is a realistic centrist of high integrity who believes in the two-state solution. In Industry of Lies, he exposes the deliberate fakery of the anti-Israel propaganda industry.
Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister of Israel
In a world where we’re trying to sort out the truth, the forgotten facts that Ben-Dror Yemini has assembled should be known by all those trying to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Robert Bernstein, former president of Random House and founder of Human Rights Watch
This book ... reveals and explains the big and small lies that underpin contemporary anti-Zionist and anti-Israeli discourse. Yemini himself is a critic of current Israeli policy and believes in a two-state solution. But he asserts that the distortions purveyed in Western university campuses and in the Western media about Israel and the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict are actually an impediment to Arab-Israeli peace.
Professor Benny Morris, author and historian
Ben-Dror Yemini ... criticizes Israel’s settlement policy and advocates a rapprochement with the Palestinians through the two-state solution. Nevertheless, he takes up arms against the anti-Israel web of outlandish lies and vitriolic propaganda and exposes them for what they truly are: a sophisticated form of hate speech directing its all too familiar venom against the Jewish state and the Zionist idea. This book should be read by all truth-seeking people.
Professor Amnon Rubinstein, former Israeli Education Minister on behalf of Meretz
Ben-Dror Yemini and I have some fundamental differences of opinion. And yet, I think his new book on the global rise of anti-Israeli propaganda is important, thorough, and thought-provoking. For too long, too many good people have been swayed by the derisive campaign that describes the Jewish-democratic state in a distorted, pernicious manner. Industry of Lies offers a robust rebuttal to this campaign.
624 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
60 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
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August 27, 2020
אל נוכח השקרים על ישראל והסכסוך עם הפלסטינים, שקרים שהתבססו באקדמיה, בעיתונות ובזרם החשיבה המרכזי, זהו ספר שקשה להפריז בחשיבותו. הוא בודק ביסודיות וביושר את העובדות, המספרים והסיבתיות כשלעצמם ובאופן השוואתי. ובהקשר הרלוונטי.
זאת ביושר, ספקנות והתלבטות אליה הוא חושף את הקורא.
שתי הסיבות שבגינן הסתפקתי בארבעה כוכבים הם האפולוגטיקה ומידת החזרה על הדברים. עם כל האומץ שבכתיבת האמת, כאשר עיקר המילייה של הכותב בז לה ולמי שמציינה, ישנה נימה חוזרת של התנצלות והצטדקות על אופן התמודדותה של ישראל, שלטעמי מופרזים. אין כאן אף מקרה ספציפי ששגוי בעיני, אלא הצטברות שנתנה לי תחושה שהכתיבה נעשית מעמדת נחיתות מוסרית, בעוד הנתונים שנחשפים מצביעים על ההיפך מכך.
אבל מה שבאמת הפריע לי הוא החזרתיות (הפעם לא אביא דוגמא עקב עצלנות). הספר הוא אוסף של מאמרים נפלאים שכל אחד מהם עומד בזכות עצמו. זו גם הבעייה, שכן כדי שכל פרק יעמוד בזכות עצמו יש צורך לחזור על ההקשר ונתוני היסוד בכל פרק ופרק. זה אולי טוב למי שקורים מאמר של ימיני פעם בכמה זמן, אך לא למי שקורא את הדברים ברצף, בספר אחד. ניתן היה לקצר את הספר במידה רבה, וע"י כך רק להשביחו. אני מקווה שההוצאות האנגלית והצרפתית אינן סובלות מבעייה זו.
זאת ביושר, ספקנות והתלבטות אליה הוא חושף את הקורא.
שתי הסיבות שבגינן הסתפקתי בארבעה כוכבים הם האפולוגטיקה ומידת החזרה על הדברים. עם כל האומץ שבכתיבת האמת, כאשר עיקר המילייה של הכותב בז לה ולמי שמציינה, ישנה נימה חוזרת של התנצלות והצטדקות על אופן התמודדותה של ישראל, שלטעמי מופרזים. אין כאן אף מקרה ספציפי ששגוי בעיני, אלא הצטברות שנתנה לי תחושה שהכתיבה נעשית מעמדת נחיתות מוסרית, בעוד הנתונים שנחשפים מצביעים על ההיפך מכך.
אבל מה שבאמת הפריע לי הוא החזרתיות (הפעם לא אביא דוגמא עקב עצלנות). הספר הוא אוסף של מאמרים נפלאים שכל אחד מהם עומד בזכות עצמו. זו גם הבעייה, שכן כדי שכל פרק יעמוד בזכות עצמו יש צורך לחזור על ההקשר ונתוני היסוד בכל פרק ופרק. זה אולי טוב למי שקורים מאמר של ימיני פעם בכמה זמן, אך לא למי שקורא את הדברים ברצף, בספר אחד. ניתן היה לקצר את הספר במידה רבה, וע"י כך רק להשביחו. אני מקווה שההוצאות האנגלית והצרפתית אינן סובלות מבעייה זו.
October 5, 2024
A hard-hitting critique of how Israel is portrayed in global media and intellectual discourse. Yemini's central argument is that there is a systematic campaign of misinformation that distorts the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, often to Israel’s detriment. He claims that Israel is unfairly singled out for condemnation, while the nuanced realities of the situation are ignored or oversimplified.
One of the book's strongest points is its meticulous dissection of media bias, especially in the context of military conflicts like the 2006 Lebanon War and multiple confrontations with Hamas in Gaza. Yemini demonstrates how coverage of events such as the 2014 Gaza War disproportionately focuses on Israeli airstrikes and civilian casualties in Gaza, while underreporting provocations from Hamas, including rocket attacks and the use of civilian areas for military purposes. This framing, according to Yemini, fuels global hostility against Israel. His analysis remains relevant in light of ongoing conflicts, including the 2023 Gaza War and renewed tensions with Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border.
A major component of Yemini’s critique revolves around the Palestinian refugee issue. He contrasts this with the displacement of millions of people following World War II, such as Germans, Poles, and Greeks, who were assimilated into their host countries without inheriting refugee status across generations. In contrast, Palestinian refugees are unique in that their refugee status is passed down, and they are served by a separate UN agency, UNRWA, unlike other refugees who fall under the UNHCR. Yemini argues that the persistence of refugee status and the unrealistic demand for a "right of return" for millions of descendants perpetuates the conflict and underscores how Israel is held to different standards compared to other nations.
Another key point Yemini addresses is the historical displacement of Jews from Arab countries following Israel’s independence in 1948. Many Jews were expelled and resettled in Israel without compensation from Arab governments. Yemini posits that this population exchange, though painful, was a common and accepted solution for ethnic conflicts at the time and argues that the Palestinian issue should be viewed in this broader context.
As an Israeli, I find myself conflicted about this book. On one hand, I agree with much of Yemini’s analysis, particularly his highlighting of the global double standards regarding Israel. It is indeed frustrating that, while the vast majority of violence against Arabs and Muslims is perpetrated by fellow Arabs and Muslims, global discourse frequently centers on Israel as the main aggressor.
However, I feel that the book underemphasizes Israel’s problematic policies in the West Bank, which is where I diverge from Yemini. While he acknowledges the issue, he doesn't give it enough weight. The situation in the West Bank, which was already concerning at the time of the book's writing, has worsened, especially since the rise of the ultra-right-wing government and the recent 2023 Gaza War. The growing influence of Jewish settlers, the tolerance for settler violence, and the double standard in the judicial system are becoming increasingly harmful. While Israel’s security measures prevent Hamas from gaining control of the West Bank, the unchecked expansion of settlements—seen by some as a solution—only intensifies the conflict.
Yemini’s book is an important resource for understanding how Israel is often misunderstood in global narratives, but it is also essential to recognize that the situation is more complex than a one-sided defense. The internal policies and actions of Israel, particularly in the West Bank, play a significant role in shaping the ongoing conflict, and a more balanced analysis would only strengthen the book's arguments.
I do recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the facts of the Israeli Arab conflicts and the Israeli point of view.
One of the book's strongest points is its meticulous dissection of media bias, especially in the context of military conflicts like the 2006 Lebanon War and multiple confrontations with Hamas in Gaza. Yemini demonstrates how coverage of events such as the 2014 Gaza War disproportionately focuses on Israeli airstrikes and civilian casualties in Gaza, while underreporting provocations from Hamas, including rocket attacks and the use of civilian areas for military purposes. This framing, according to Yemini, fuels global hostility against Israel. His analysis remains relevant in light of ongoing conflicts, including the 2023 Gaza War and renewed tensions with Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border.
A major component of Yemini’s critique revolves around the Palestinian refugee issue. He contrasts this with the displacement of millions of people following World War II, such as Germans, Poles, and Greeks, who were assimilated into their host countries without inheriting refugee status across generations. In contrast, Palestinian refugees are unique in that their refugee status is passed down, and they are served by a separate UN agency, UNRWA, unlike other refugees who fall under the UNHCR. Yemini argues that the persistence of refugee status and the unrealistic demand for a "right of return" for millions of descendants perpetuates the conflict and underscores how Israel is held to different standards compared to other nations.
Another key point Yemini addresses is the historical displacement of Jews from Arab countries following Israel’s independence in 1948. Many Jews were expelled and resettled in Israel without compensation from Arab governments. Yemini posits that this population exchange, though painful, was a common and accepted solution for ethnic conflicts at the time and argues that the Palestinian issue should be viewed in this broader context.
As an Israeli, I find myself conflicted about this book. On one hand, I agree with much of Yemini’s analysis, particularly his highlighting of the global double standards regarding Israel. It is indeed frustrating that, while the vast majority of violence against Arabs and Muslims is perpetrated by fellow Arabs and Muslims, global discourse frequently centers on Israel as the main aggressor.
However, I feel that the book underemphasizes Israel’s problematic policies in the West Bank, which is where I diverge from Yemini. While he acknowledges the issue, he doesn't give it enough weight. The situation in the West Bank, which was already concerning at the time of the book's writing, has worsened, especially since the rise of the ultra-right-wing government and the recent 2023 Gaza War. The growing influence of Jewish settlers, the tolerance for settler violence, and the double standard in the judicial system are becoming increasingly harmful. While Israel’s security measures prevent Hamas from gaining control of the West Bank, the unchecked expansion of settlements—seen by some as a solution—only intensifies the conflict.
Yemini’s book is an important resource for understanding how Israel is often misunderstood in global narratives, but it is also essential to recognize that the situation is more complex than a one-sided defense. The internal policies and actions of Israel, particularly in the West Bank, play a significant role in shaping the ongoing conflict, and a more balanced analysis would only strengthen the book's arguments.
I do recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the facts of the Israeli Arab conflicts and the Israeli point of view.
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December 18, 2025Actually really liked this, and I read a lot on the subject.
Relatively academic defense of Israel, arguing the ways that media and academia are biased against Israel. Proceeds in many chapters dedicated to small, specific topics. Very data-driven and dense. I wouldn't say there was a strong overarching thesis presented here, but rather a huge hodgepodge of scattered topics.
Relatively academic defense of Israel, arguing the ways that media and academia are biased against Israel. Proceeds in many chapters dedicated to small, specific topics. Very data-driven and dense. I wouldn't say there was a strong overarching thesis presented here, but rather a huge hodgepodge of scattered topics.
December 7, 2020
Great and full of facts
August 13, 2025
essential to understand the conflict. Very very detailed
September 4, 2025
A MUST READ.
April 23, 2015
Could use better editing.
Some of the references I followed do not support the claims by the author.
Some of the references I followed do not support the claims by the author.
Read
March 15, 2018Anyone seeking the answer lies about Israel MUST read
Anyone confronted honest or dishonest untruths about Israel, such as apartheid state, genocide, ethnic cleansing etc. must read this book. That includes some Israelis and 'as a Jew' critics. The devastating criticism of Haaretz stands out.
For all that this is not a classic. It is frequently repetitive. I gained the impression that much was a recycling of previously published op-eds and lectures.
Will it convince those who, for many reasons, have joined the 'Industry of Lies'? Probably not. Still if you haven't made up your mind or are an Israel 'advocate' looking for facts to bolster your arguments this is ghe book for you.
Anyone confronted honest or dishonest untruths about Israel, such as apartheid state, genocide, ethnic cleansing etc. must read this book. That includes some Israelis and 'as a Jew' critics. The devastating criticism of Haaretz stands out.
For all that this is not a classic. It is frequently repetitive. I gained the impression that much was a recycling of previously published op-eds and lectures.
Will it convince those who, for many reasons, have joined the 'Industry of Lies'? Probably not. Still if you haven't made up your mind or are an Israel 'advocate' looking for facts to bolster your arguments this is ghe book for you.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews