Defending Israel: The Story of My Relationship with My Most Challenging Client

by Alan M. Dershowitz

World-renowned lawyer Alan Dershowitz recounts stories from his many years of defending the state of Israel. Alan Dershowitz has spent years advocating for his "most challenging client"—the state of Israel—both publicly and in private meetings with high level international figures, including every US president and Israeli leader of the past 40 years. Replete with personal insights and unreported details, Defending Israel offers a comprehensive history of modern Israel from the perspective of one of the country's most important supporters. Readers are given a rare front row seat to the high profile controversies and debates that Dershowitz was involved in over the years, even as the political tides shifted and the liberal community became increasingly critical of Israeli policies.Beyond documenting America's changing attitude toward the country, Defending Israel serves as an updated defense of the Jewish homeland on numerous points—though it also includes Dershowitz's criticisms of Israeli decisions and policies that he believes to be unwise. At a time when Jewish Americans as a whole are increasingly uncertain as to who supports Israel and who doesn't, there is no better book to turn to for answers—and a pragmatic look toward the future.

Genres: Israel, Nonfiction, History, Politics

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2019

About the author

Alan Morton Dershowitz is an American lawyer, jurist, and political commentator. He is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. He is known for his career as an attorney in several high-profile law cases and commentary on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

He has spent most of his career at Harvard, where, at the age of 28, he became the youngest full professor in its history, until Noam Elkies took the record. Dershowitz still holds the record as the youngest person to become a professor of law there.

As a criminal appellate lawyer, Dershowitz has won thirteen out of the fifteen murder and attempted murder cases he has handled. He successfully argued to overturn the conviction of Claus von Bülow for the attempted murder of Bülow's wife, Sunny. Dershowitz was the appellate advisor for the defense in the criminal trial of O.J. Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Reviews

[Simon Mee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Defending Israel is a semi-autobiographical account of Dershowitz’s relationship with Israel and his battle with anti-Semitism/anti-Zionism/people saying mean things about Israel killing children.

I’m not going to run through the narrative. It’s tiring to argue every point, such as BDS or his blinkered focus on the hard left. The main issues are Dershowitz’s scholarship and personal targeting.

Scholarship

Dershowitz presents his views as indisputable facts. As proof, he will cite his own articles stating something is an indisputable fact. For example, Dershowitz writes there is massive evidence to the contrary to the conclusions of an Amnesty International report on honor killings. The book’s citation sends you to article Dershowitz wrote on the matter, stating there is:

massive evidence to the contrary.

Sometimes he does not even bother, such as this uncited and unsupported statement on the Yom Kippur War:

Hundreds of Israeli POWs were tortured and murdered with their hands behind their backs.

The poor scholarship calls into question his legal analysis. Was the Goldstone Report inaccurate on Israeli bombardment of the West Bank? Dershowitz says it was, because a British General said the Israelis were very good boys. Dershowitz can’t even find someone in the Israeli High Command to break down strategy, tactics, results and lessons from attacks on civilian areas, instead he disappears into his own proverbial with legal analysis unmoored from any empirical evidence, like just how careful was Israel in the 1996 attacks on Lebanon.

The issue of scholarship goes beyond putting a favourable slant on events. For the Palestinians who left the lands of Israel as a result of the 1948 War, Dershowitz quotes himself in 1970 (with no suggestion his views have evolved):

It is a tragedy that most of the Palestinians left. But it must be understood that they were not seeking refuge from oppression at the hands of Israel. That had a choice. They could have stayed.

I would propose a debate in Deir Yassin over that. The Israeli-Palestine peace process has often foundered on how to deal with the “right of return,” so whether Palestinians were expelled or left freely is extremely relevant.

Dershowitz also thinks he is a sociology expert, commenting on intersectionality and Black Lives Matter in ways I am confident he knows are wrong and inflammatory.

Personal Targeting

Dershowitz’s got grudges, a lot of them, right down to Shimon Peres’ restaurant recommendations:

He recommended an Italian restaurant, whose atmosphere was elegant but whose food turned out to be mediocre.

Did actress Vanessa Redgrave say something stupid one time? Probably. Is it correct, or even relevant, to say her views and actions were by any standard far more despicable than Rabbi Meir Kahane, a literal convicted terrorist? Dershowitz devotes more space to Redgrave’s perceived sins than Israel’s West Bank settlement policy.

Poor scholarship and personal invective combine in respect of Archbishop Desmond Tutu:

He compared Israel to Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s Soviet Union and apartheid South Africa, saying that they too were once “very powerful” but eventually “bit the dust,” as will “unjust” Israel.

The basis for the above statement is an article written by Dershowitz, reproduced in bulk in this book. The paragraph is a Frankenstein’s monster of bit-part quotations with no reference to any original source.

Obviously Dershowitz can’t leave his clashes with Norman Finkelstein and Noam Chomsky alone, scandalously misrepresenting the former (who demolished him in a debate) while cattishly writing in respect of the latter:

I suspect that Chomsky holds the world's record for the highest ratio of books bought to actually read from beginning to end.

I note the Goodreads rating ratio runs at 6:1 against Dershowitz for their respective most popular books.

Possibly his most offensive comments are in respect of the dead baby strategy apparently practiced by Hamas (without details). It is incredible that he simultaneously justifies the Israeli bombardment of Gaza on the basis that Hamas might have attacked Israeli kindergartens if Hamas got the chance while pre-emptively smearing actual infant deaths caused by Israeli bombing. Frankly some real psychopath stuff there.*

Defending Israel is about a guy telling you over and over again that he’s never been owned, be it Israel; the Claus von Bülow appeal; the OJ Simpson trial; or the Virginia Giuffre affidavit.

*Obviously this statement reads a bit differently in light of the subsequent October 7 attacks, when Hamas unquestionably targetted civilians. There are complicated elements around that and how they relate to Dershowitz's book that aren't appropriate to a Goodreads review so I leave the statement as is.

[Debra Slonek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and highly informative insider’s look into the history and present situation of modern Israel. I was impressed with Israel’s many triumphs and accomplishments while being troubled, saddened and angered by its many challenges and threats...past and present.

I think I was most disturbed to learn that well-known religious leaders were truly anti-Semitic and did not believe that Israel had the right to exist. They were bigoted individuals who were leading faith communities, so troubling and so very wrong.

Past and present global politics, Israeli politics and American politics were explained very well in relation to the statehood of Israel and its right to exist and thrive. We have lived and continue to live in a complicated and very imperfect world, populated with complicated and very imperfect people.

This book covers the topics of religion and politics, however, more importantly, it is about truth. I challenge you to set aside your opinions, ideas and beliefs about Israel, and to read this book.

For some, your ideas and opinions will be verified. For others, maybe your minds will be changed. Do yourself a favor and read this book. Your mind will be challenged, you will be encouraged to think, and perhaps you might walk away with new found respect and appreciation for Israel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will leave it to Alan Dershowitz to defend Israel, and explain how the current political situation has changed the support of Israel from a traditionally liberal endeavor to a conservative ideal. Starting with the Obama administration, more Jews began voting Republican and although it is as hard for me to understand as a Jewish person how complicated supporting the Palestinians is, we are all entitled to our opinions.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is more of a memoir than it is academic, a series of tales about the author’s experiences in defending Israel in the “marketplace of ideas” (a phrase he uses over and over and over again). He seems to constantly challenge others who hold different perspectives to debate, debate, debate, as if a debate is the end-all, be-all to forming an accurate view on a subject.

His turn of phrase was, at times, entertaining and humorous, but then he would take swipes at people he clearly has feuds with. This comes across as juvenile and petty, as the comments made are rarely of substance. He focuses a lot of rebuttal effort into the easy-to-debunk (anti-semitism, holocaust denial), but misses the mark entirely against the nuanced views of the Palestinian conflict that he doesn’t agree with.

His favorite debate tactic in this book is absolutely “whataboutism”, stating that people hold Israel to standards they don’t hold other nations, such as Russia or China, to. Exposing hypocrisy is important, but you cannot structure a valid argument with "what about them?" as your proof.

This book is not a structured argument for the legitimacy or validity of the existence of the (modern day) nation of Israel as we know it. It’s a lot of stories of personal experience that include a lot of name-dropping the important figures the author has met in his life and career.

If you’re looking for a proper intellectual argument and analysis to the historical and ongoing conflicts in Palestine, keep looking. I’m glad I read this book, as it gave me a little insight into the mind of a liberal Zionist. However, reader beware that it is not a serious book about the conflict, as I’d hoped when starting it.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with his other books his concise yet profound arguments for the causes he believes in and represents is impeccable. It is incredible what he has accomplished in his lifetime especially as it relates to the defense of Israel and their right to survive as a nation. There are plenty of names that he drops throughout the book including many high-ranking officials and politicians. For example, presidents Carter through Trump came to him for advice and counsel on many occasions. He was friends with many of the leaders in Israel that gave him access to them on numerous occasions. And he relentlessly debated so many of the well-publicized critics and enemies of the Jews on many topics and in various places. He was never afraid to defend the truth and call out the miserable lies of antisemitism. As his conclusion so aptly states: "Despite its lawful birth certificate, and its unparalleled contributions to humankind since its birth, and its successful efforts to defend itself with the rule of law, Israel is the only nation in the world whose legitimacy as a nation is questioned." One of the movements he denounces in the book and has taken a lead role in opposing is the BDS (boycott, divest, sanction) tactic that has become pervasive everywhere, especially on our campuses of higher education. For example, his book among others that he wrote "The Case for Israel" grew out of his desire to write an accessible primer on the core issues defending Israel against this nonsense anti-Israel rhetoric. There are many other topics included in this book that you will find helpful as you sift through the everyday venom that is thrown in the court of public opinion against Israel and its actions. At the end of the book is a very good conclusion and some pictures as well.

[Paula Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balanced history of Israel with a lot of interesting side stories.

[Ella]

What I found to be the most refreshing about this book was the evidence that the author was not trying to promote his personal, political vendetta or push it onto his readers. Yes, he told us his views and why he supports certain matters but he mainly told his story regarding the nation of Israel. I will admit: the author and I differ on several policies as far as politics are concerned, but I never felt offended or felt like he was trying to make me feel bad or guilty for having different opinions than him. The author obviously has a passion for Israel which is reflected in his writing. I did not know much regarding Israeli politics or history going in and he told the story very well. It was very educational and very well researched. He obviously did not approach writing this book lightly and wrote with much elegance. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in politics, specifically politics regarding the nation of Israel and the shifts in our nations’ relationship here in the U.S.. Very well done!

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a factual and bipartisan view of the political climate in Israel. The author didn't try to force their opinions onto the reader, as the facts were laid out in a manner that allowed them to form their own opinion. I learned a lot from this book and feel like I have a better grasp of the situation over there than I did before reading this.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Defending Israel to be an interesting read. It is good to see a bipartisan view of Israel. I give it five stars.

[Alexandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I was reading this book I felt so much ick. Here are the parts I wanted to keep as scraps but otherwise I just felt... uncomfortable reading it. From the multiple other books on the region I've read this glazed over certain things in a way I felt irresponsible.

“In the post World War II period many new nations emerged from colonialism, basing themselves on national liberation movements. Transfers of populations predicated on ethnicity and religion were accepted as a reasonable price to be paid for stability and homogeneity.”

“When the leader of the local Arabs, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini testified before the Peel commission in 1937 he complained about “the detachment of Palestine from the body of other Arab territories”, suggesting that the Arabs who lived in Palestine had no distinct national ethnic character, they were part of the great Arab nation. He didn’t want a separate Palestinian state for the Arabs; he simply did not want there to be a state of a homeland for Jews anywhere in the region.”

“Nonetheless I personally favor repeal of the emergency defense regulations and particularly of the prevention detention provision. Nor is there any paradox in understanding the reasons behind the law and recognizing that it has been fairly applied and yet at the same time in favoring its repeal. Although the potential for abuse has not materialized, abuse is inherent in the nature of detention laws of the kind now on the books in Israel. Such laws, in the words of Justice Robert Jackson, ‘lie about like a loaded weapon’.”

“[Noam Chomsky] simply ignored the proof and repeated his incontrovertible assertion. That is his style and his followers, of which there are many, regard him as a profit who cannot be wrong.”

“Neither Yugoslavia nor Lebanon, both failed states, is a positive model for Israel and the West Bank. Nor are there any other successful one state solutions to comparable conflicts.”

“The very fact that a call for a PLO commission of inquiry seems unrealistic demonstrates the hypocrisy of those members of the international community who have been bestowing on the PLO and its leader the benefits of recognition without demanding the responsibilities of recognition.”

“I do think that Israel has a biblical claim to the West Bank. I also think the Arabs have a biblical claim to the West Bank. I also think there are Christians biblical claims to Jerusalem. I do not believe that in the modern world we should try to resolve disputes over conflicting biblical claims by warfare.”

“It's a tradition and traditions have a power of their own regardless of one's belief, disbelief, or agnosticism.”

“History is dumb to future probabilities or possibilities. It knows only what did happen, not what might have happened if a different course had been followed. Any leaders of Britain and France who had engaged in a preventive war that cost thousands of lives then and saved millions in the future would have been condemned by the verdict of dumb history because the costs would have been visible but the savings would have been invisible.”

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a follow-up to his previous "The Case For Israel". That one was presented as a series of talking points, this one is organized chronologically with a lot more autobiographical content thrown into the mix. Dershowitz clearly thinks quite highly of himself and does an inordinate amount of name dropping and boastful self-promotion. Despite touting his liberal credentials, his demonization of Carter, Kerry, and Obama and his sycophantic cozying up to Netanyahu and trump throughout the book somewhat taint the image he tries to portray. But if you can hold your nose long enough to get past the arrogance, there is a lot of good content.

By interleaving his own story in with the history and politics, he presents a clear view of how things have evolved over time. How the left turned from Israel's biggest supporters to harshest critics, as attitudes evolved and events unfurled. As indicated by the title, he errs on the side of defending Israel and largely refrains from including much criticism, despite frequently mentioning how much he disagrees with certain policies and actions without actually naming most of them. Which is understandable in his role as defense attorney, as there are plenty of sources to get the other side of the story, if somewhat unsatisfying to a reader trying to actually learn from the book.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the book is the editing, or lack thereof. It's clearly been compiled from previously written material, so many chapters read like stand-alone essays rather than a cohesive narrative, and there is a lot of repetition of primary talking points. But his passion for the topic is apparent on every page, and he's clearly done his homework, so it's worth reading to understand his perspective, which represents a lot of mainstream American and Israeli Jews. Just don't expect an unbiased account.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light on the facts and heavy on the name-dropping. Readable, marginally interesting, and substantively empty. Dershowitz is a leading — if not *the* leading — American intellectual defender of Israel and is good buddies with Bibi and crew. He also is one of Harvard’s top constitutional law scholars and has a successful appellate track record defending free speech. It made for an interesting book… even if only for some fun name-dropping. My only substantive takeaway was an increased appreciation for how liberals used to broadly support Israel (with critique only growing once Israel began its increasingly authoritarian rule over the territories).

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I certainly think Dershowitz did what he set out to do in this book. I find myself disagreeing with him or at least acknowledging I don’t have enough information to make an informed decision on many issues he raises. I do appreciate his principles stances on free speech and the way he lays these out. I’m not sure he always applies them himself, though. I’m glad I read this but it did have my blood boiling quite a bit so I definitely need something a little lighter next.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

[Hugh Mulligan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libby audiobook

[Leo Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very eye opening!!!

[Tyler J Hinds · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.0

[Dusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first pick while trying to mine information on Israel's history wasn't quite what I expected. Probably because I didn't take the time to read the subtitle. Even so, this semi-autobiography tracks the changes in public sentiment toward Israel over roughly 70 years and it does cover several important historical moments. I'm starting to recognize titles of some of the wars as I hear them repeated across titles. This was a good read, and I'll keep digging.