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The Land of Hope and Fear: Israel's Battle for Its Inner Soul
A rich, wide-ranging portrait of the Israeli people today at a critical juncture in their country’s history, by a correspondent who has spent thirty years working in Israel—the last fifteen for The New York Times
Despite Israel's determined staying power in a hostile environment, its military might, and the innovation it fosters in businesses globally, the country is more divided than ever. The old guard—socialist secular elites and idealists—are a dying breed, and the state’s democratic foundations are being challenged. A dynamic and exuberant country of nine million, Israel is now largely comprised of native-born Hebrew speakers, and yet any permanent sense of security and normalcy is elusive.
In The Land of Hope and Fear , we meet Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, Eastern and Western, liberals and zealots—plagued by perennial conflict and existential threats, citizens who remain deeply polarized politically, socially, and ideologically, even as they undergo generational change and redefine what it is to be an Israeli. Who are these people and to what do they aspire?
In moving narratives and with on-the-ground reporting, Isabel Kershner reveals the core of what holds Israel together and the forces that threaten its future through the lens of real a son of Zionist pioneers, cynical about what is to come and his people’s status in it; a woman in her nineties whose life in a kibbutz has disintegrated; a brilliant poet caught up in the political maelstrom; an Arab gallery owner archiving a lost Palestinian landscape; and a descendant of the Russian aliyah; representing millions of culturally and religiously different Jews, laying bare the question Who is an Israeli? The Land of Hope and Fear decodes Israel today at its seventy-fifth anniversary, examining the ways in which the country has both exceeded and failed the ideals and expectations of its founders.
Despite Israel's determined staying power in a hostile environment, its military might, and the innovation it fosters in businesses globally, the country is more divided than ever. The old guard—socialist secular elites and idealists—are a dying breed, and the state’s democratic foundations are being challenged. A dynamic and exuberant country of nine million, Israel is now largely comprised of native-born Hebrew speakers, and yet any permanent sense of security and normalcy is elusive.
In The Land of Hope and Fear , we meet Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, Eastern and Western, liberals and zealots—plagued by perennial conflict and existential threats, citizens who remain deeply polarized politically, socially, and ideologically, even as they undergo generational change and redefine what it is to be an Israeli. Who are these people and to what do they aspire?
In moving narratives and with on-the-ground reporting, Isabel Kershner reveals the core of what holds Israel together and the forces that threaten its future through the lens of real a son of Zionist pioneers, cynical about what is to come and his people’s status in it; a woman in her nineties whose life in a kibbutz has disintegrated; a brilliant poet caught up in the political maelstrom; an Arab gallery owner archiving a lost Palestinian landscape; and a descendant of the Russian aliyah; representing millions of culturally and religiously different Jews, laying bare the question Who is an Israeli? The Land of Hope and Fear decodes Israel today at its seventy-fifth anniversary, examining the ways in which the country has both exceeded and failed the ideals and expectations of its founders.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 27, 2024
A correspondent presents a wide-ranging portrait of the nine million people of Israel, in a book published in 2023, before the Israeli-Hamas War. I read it for a book discussion group and it was a discussion more about the current situation in the Middle East than about the book itself but we all drew on things we read in the book.
I give the book 3/5 stars. I learned a lot of things from the book but I feel it was a little too dense with information. I found I was skimming over parts of the book, primarily to finish it by the time of the discussion. However, I also felt bogged down by details and wanted to be sure to pick up on the main points of the book.
The main point is that Israel is a fractured state, divided against itself, and it remains a country in search of its identity. The original Zionist settlers were secular socialists and idealists. They provided the basis for the Labour Party, which has now become merely a shadow of itself. The right-wing under Netanyahu dominates Israel and pushes its hardline against the Palestinians, refusing to allow the Palestinians to have their own state. As we see with the war in Gaza, the situation is only getting worse.
The author Isabel Kershner did a great reporting job but the book is too disjointed as a narrative and lost me at times. I think for the purposes of our discussion group we should have had a book with more background on the history of the Middle East in general and Israel in particular.
3 STARS means that it's still a worthwhile read for anyone with an interest in Israel. One does get a feel for the internal conflicts that afflict the state of Israel.
I give the book 3/5 stars. I learned a lot of things from the book but I feel it was a little too dense with information. I found I was skimming over parts of the book, primarily to finish it by the time of the discussion. However, I also felt bogged down by details and wanted to be sure to pick up on the main points of the book.
The main point is that Israel is a fractured state, divided against itself, and it remains a country in search of its identity. The original Zionist settlers were secular socialists and idealists. They provided the basis for the Labour Party, which has now become merely a shadow of itself. The right-wing under Netanyahu dominates Israel and pushes its hardline against the Palestinians, refusing to allow the Palestinians to have their own state. As we see with the war in Gaza, the situation is only getting worse.
The author Isabel Kershner did a great reporting job but the book is too disjointed as a narrative and lost me at times. I think for the purposes of our discussion group we should have had a book with more background on the history of the Middle East in general and Israel in particular.
3 STARS means that it's still a worthwhile read for anyone with an interest in Israel. One does get a feel for the internal conflicts that afflict the state of Israel.
December 3, 2023
The audiobook was unbearable. The narrator has a weird breezy tone throughout even for heavy topics. She also had no idea how to pronounce anything. I was even shocked she pronounced the ENGLISH word “gesture” as “jester.” If you want to pay someone to do a poor job reading an audiobook, I’d like to be considered next time.
Plus, the book itself had no direction.
Plus, the book itself had no direction.
August 15, 2023
Non-Israelis are often surprised by how multicultural Israel is. This book is a fascinating read that explains the complex social-political and cultural makeup of modern Israel.
The book follows the stories of different groups. This includes the European heritage of the Ashkenazim Jews and the mostly Arabic speaking heritage of the Sephardim and Mizrahim Jews. There are also the millions of Russian and Ukrainian Jews who migrated from the former Soviet Union during the 1990s, and the Ethiopian Jews who came during the 2000s.
The book also explores the identities of the non-Jewish inhabitants, such as the Palestinians, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouin, and Circassians. Other key identities within Israeli society are the Zionist/anti-Zionist, secular/orthodox/ultra-orthodox (Haredi), wealthy/poor, educated/uneducated, settler/anti-settler divides.
The book highlights how these identities drive the domestic politics of Israel. For example, the various Haredi groups are typically poor, anti-Zionist, and exclude themselves from the educational system and workforce in favour of full-time religious study. Many secular Israelis describe the non-working, non-tax paying, non-fighting Haredi as 'parasites' and are viewed as a looming socioeconomic threat due to their large families of seven children or more. However, their growing numbers makes the Haredi increasing influential in the Knesset.
The book also discusses the political complexity of Palestinians with Israeli citizenship (about 26 percent of the population of Israel). Often subject to accusations of being a fifth column by Jewish Israelis, or of being traitors by Palestinians living in the West Bank, this group is riven by gang violence, systemic discrimination, and poverty. Yet, as noted by the author, many Arab Israelis prefer Israeli democracy and prosperity over the relative poverty and arbitrary rule of the Palestinian Authority.
Compounding the complexity of Israeli society is military conscription. Military service is seen as a gateway for future education and lucrative employment opportunities, particularly in the high-paying technology sector. However, Arab Israelis and the Haredi are exempt from military service. This entrenches economic inequality and discrimination.
What I really liked about this book is the author's discussion on how these societal divides affect how Israelis view themselves. The obvious example is the ideological paradox of Israel being, by law, a democratic Jewish state. This effectively delegitimizes non-Jews as second-class citizens. Another example is the gradual rightward shift and polarization of Israeli politics, as demonstrated by the demise of the Labor party and the increasing popularity of far-right racist politicians, such as Itamar Ben Gvir.
I highly recommend this book for those who want to know more about the domestic politics of Israel. I gave three stars due to the incredible scope of the book and ease of reading. However, such a complex topic really needs more. This book is an excellent introduction to the topic.
The book follows the stories of different groups. This includes the European heritage of the Ashkenazim Jews and the mostly Arabic speaking heritage of the Sephardim and Mizrahim Jews. There are also the millions of Russian and Ukrainian Jews who migrated from the former Soviet Union during the 1990s, and the Ethiopian Jews who came during the 2000s.
The book also explores the identities of the non-Jewish inhabitants, such as the Palestinians, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouin, and Circassians. Other key identities within Israeli society are the Zionist/anti-Zionist, secular/orthodox/ultra-orthodox (Haredi), wealthy/poor, educated/uneducated, settler/anti-settler divides.
The book highlights how these identities drive the domestic politics of Israel. For example, the various Haredi groups are typically poor, anti-Zionist, and exclude themselves from the educational system and workforce in favour of full-time religious study. Many secular Israelis describe the non-working, non-tax paying, non-fighting Haredi as 'parasites' and are viewed as a looming socioeconomic threat due to their large families of seven children or more. However, their growing numbers makes the Haredi increasing influential in the Knesset.
The book also discusses the political complexity of Palestinians with Israeli citizenship (about 26 percent of the population of Israel). Often subject to accusations of being a fifth column by Jewish Israelis, or of being traitors by Palestinians living in the West Bank, this group is riven by gang violence, systemic discrimination, and poverty. Yet, as noted by the author, many Arab Israelis prefer Israeli democracy and prosperity over the relative poverty and arbitrary rule of the Palestinian Authority.
Compounding the complexity of Israeli society is military conscription. Military service is seen as a gateway for future education and lucrative employment opportunities, particularly in the high-paying technology sector. However, Arab Israelis and the Haredi are exempt from military service. This entrenches economic inequality and discrimination.
What I really liked about this book is the author's discussion on how these societal divides affect how Israelis view themselves. The obvious example is the ideological paradox of Israel being, by law, a democratic Jewish state. This effectively delegitimizes non-Jews as second-class citizens. Another example is the gradual rightward shift and polarization of Israeli politics, as demonstrated by the demise of the Labor party and the increasing popularity of far-right racist politicians, such as Itamar Ben Gvir.
I highly recommend this book for those who want to know more about the domestic politics of Israel. I gave three stars due to the incredible scope of the book and ease of reading. However, such a complex topic really needs more. This book is an excellent introduction to the topic.
December 6, 2023
Kershner, an Israeli reporter for the New York Times, provides a fascinating look at the communities that shape modern Israel. European Ashkenazi Jews developed Israel's policy of providing refuge for global Jews, a commitment that led to subsequent waves of immigration from the Middle East, Russia, and Ethiopia. These new communities assimilated at varying rates and faced challenges with regard to employment, acceptance, language, and faith (many Russians and Ethiopians had only ancestral ties to Judaism). Kershner dedicates lengthy chapters to each community, examining challenges by looking at individual stories.
Kershner also turns her lens to the settler, Bedouin, Ultra-Orthodox, Arab, tech, and military communities, examining the motivations and contributions of each. Israeli society is evolving from the socialist ideals of the European and secular Jews who built modern Israel to a more capitalist, diverse, and less hegemonic society. Current demographic projections suggest that the Arab (now 20 percent of the population) and Ultra-Orthodox communities will account for half of all babies born in Israel -- a demographic shift that is already manifest in the rising power of the political right.
The timing of the release of Kershner's book with the war in Gaza is coincidental, but she provides a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of modern Israel.
Kershner also turns her lens to the settler, Bedouin, Ultra-Orthodox, Arab, tech, and military communities, examining the motivations and contributions of each. Israeli society is evolving from the socialist ideals of the European and secular Jews who built modern Israel to a more capitalist, diverse, and less hegemonic society. Current demographic projections suggest that the Arab (now 20 percent of the population) and Ultra-Orthodox communities will account for half of all babies born in Israel -- a demographic shift that is already manifest in the rising power of the political right.
The timing of the release of Kershner's book with the war in Gaza is coincidental, but she provides a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of modern Israel.
April 15, 2024
While I thought I knew it all, I didn't. Panaramic view of the many deep divisions - religious, ethnic, racial, socio-economic that characterize modern Israel. The book ends with an oddly optimistic epilogue, but the ongoing war in Gaza reinforces my conviction that the Israeli right-wing is the greatest danger to the survival of the state of Israel.
January 10, 2024
After finishing The Land of Hope and Fear, the question I keep asking myself is who is this book intended for?
Structured as a series of local vignettes that focus on the current tapestry that is Israel (the army, the kibbutzim, technology, fractured politics), the book seeks to explain the country as a whole through a series of local stories.
It can’t be denied that the reporting is granular and well done (after all, the author has been The New York Times’ correspondent for decades). There are interesting insights and engaging subjects (who knew you could farm coral artificially?), but the overall result is lacking.
As I see it, there are two main issues that plague this book: 1) The lack of a coherent narrative structure. Although the chapters try to create a bigger picture, they do not seem to follow a specific path to guide the reader. Instead of a trek it’s more of a sightseeing expedition (“And, over here we have…”). It’s difficult to follow and makes for a challenging read (not in a complimentary way). 2) The author presupposes that the reader has at least an intermediate understanding of an issue that has beguiled everyone for a long, long time. There’s mentions of certain historical events, of political parties, of figures of importance, but not enough context. I found myself googling a lot of things that I shouldn’t have had to Google, given that this is not a scholarly book, but rather general nonfiction.
2.5 stars rounded to 3 because of the information and the reporting, but someone who wishes to better inform themselves on this highly complex country should look elsewhere.
Structured as a series of local vignettes that focus on the current tapestry that is Israel (the army, the kibbutzim, technology, fractured politics), the book seeks to explain the country as a whole through a series of local stories.
It can’t be denied that the reporting is granular and well done (after all, the author has been The New York Times’ correspondent for decades). There are interesting insights and engaging subjects (who knew you could farm coral artificially?), but the overall result is lacking.
As I see it, there are two main issues that plague this book: 1) The lack of a coherent narrative structure. Although the chapters try to create a bigger picture, they do not seem to follow a specific path to guide the reader. Instead of a trek it’s more of a sightseeing expedition (“And, over here we have…”). It’s difficult to follow and makes for a challenging read (not in a complimentary way). 2) The author presupposes that the reader has at least an intermediate understanding of an issue that has beguiled everyone for a long, long time. There’s mentions of certain historical events, of political parties, of figures of importance, but not enough context. I found myself googling a lot of things that I shouldn’t have had to Google, given that this is not a scholarly book, but rather general nonfiction.
2.5 stars rounded to 3 because of the information and the reporting, but someone who wishes to better inform themselves on this highly complex country should look elsewhere.
January 17, 2024
3.5, rounded down
I don’t particularly enjoy reading nonfiction about politics, though I do like to be informed. But because in light of current events, I realised that I was incredibly clueless about contemporary Israeli society (as opposed to Israel’s geopolitical role) beyond the vague pop culture knowledge that comes with being a rabid Eurovision watcher. In this, the book did its job— I feel more informed than I did yesterday, and thus more prepared to go on un-cluelessing myself. That being said, this book does feel like a somewhat disjointed collection of essays, with substantial chapters on everything from historical memory to various significant waves of immigration to the Israeli tech industry. I’m not sure if there’s any way to improve on that without undermining the book’s goals, but it definitely made some sections way draggier than others, and some chapters more disjointed than their fellows. It’s also already kind of dated, considering it was written before the judiciary protests and the current war, both of which make me wonder how well some of the author’s conclusions stand up. But that’s not her fault.
I don’t particularly enjoy reading nonfiction about politics, though I do like to be informed. But because in light of current events, I realised that I was incredibly clueless about contemporary Israeli society (as opposed to Israel’s geopolitical role) beyond the vague pop culture knowledge that comes with being a rabid Eurovision watcher. In this, the book did its job— I feel more informed than I did yesterday, and thus more prepared to go on un-cluelessing myself. That being said, this book does feel like a somewhat disjointed collection of essays, with substantial chapters on everything from historical memory to various significant waves of immigration to the Israeli tech industry. I’m not sure if there’s any way to improve on that without undermining the book’s goals, but it definitely made some sections way draggier than others, and some chapters more disjointed than their fellows. It’s also already kind of dated, considering it was written before the judiciary protests and the current war, both of which make me wonder how well some of the author’s conclusions stand up. But that’s not her fault.
March 29, 2024
I rarely read non fiction so wasn’t sure how I would go. However this is quite an easy read given its focus. I was keen to understand more about Israel particularly given the current context, it is so easy to reduce everything to good and evil with us all not lining up on which is good and which is evil! This book introduced me to a country I have found hard to understand. After reading it I can’t quite work out how the whole place hasn’t imploded. The diversity of the population and the internal wrangling surprised me. Very interesting. It is written just before October last year so doesn’t cover the current situation. While the author appears to land on the side of hope I wasn’t convinced even without the recent events - fear would be my assessment. So much internal division and racism and the foundation being religion. The author covers a lot of territory and it is a little repetitive at times Definitely worth reading and you may come to a different conclusion
May 23, 2024
I took my time reading this book (the full 6 weeks the library allowed me) but I thoroughly enjoyed every word. I am so impressed by how Isabel Kershner wrote and conceptualized this book. She traces all the bumps, bruises, and contours of Israeli society and history, and seems to interview every person in Israel about it: it must’ve taken an extraordinary amount of time and personableness to accomplish what she’s done here. I would very much like to be her friend, I think.
December 31, 2023
Timely, although not timely enough as it came out before 10/7/23. In that context all that is illuminated here looms so much larger and more consequentially. I’ve been naive about Israel and it’s distressing to learn of the internal class divisions, the racism among Jews, the destructive divides among the religious and secular…not to mention the treatment of the Arab citizenry and the Palestinians.
This was interesting, illuminating, insightful and ultimately very depressing and hard to see a long-term solution that works for all. It saddens me deeply.
This was interesting, illuminating, insightful and ultimately very depressing and hard to see a long-term solution that works for all. It saddens me deeply.
October 14, 2024
An intimate portrait of Israel and the kaleidoscope of religious, ethnic and political tribes comprising it. Kershner writes with empathy and with gripping storytelling. Nevertheless, for an author so well-informed, I was ultimately disappointed that the book did not include deeper analysis or draw more definite predictions. I also felt she pulled her punches when discussing Israeli government and settler actions against Palestinians, if and when she mentioned those at all.
July 24, 2024
Listening to the audiobook. Narrated by Romy Nordlinger. Produced by Random House Audio. Extremely annoying choice as reader: wrong voice, wrong prosody, and compounded by the jarring pronunciation of Hebrew words and names .
August 14, 2025
Is This An Overview?
Israel can seem united, but is socially divided. Social divisions based on ideology, religion, ethnicity, and state policy. Israel’s social identity was formed by people who built a state out of an existential threat. But after the existential threat was removed, Israel lost its unity. Zionism had accomplished its goal, and stopped being a motivator. No longer an immigrant nation, and no longer share a Zionist upbringing.
Different factions took their place. Different groups are fighting for representation. Those who want an integrated inclusive region, and those who think others are an enemy that respond only to violence. Those who want to treat other with human rights, and those who defend violations of human rights. Those who are religious, and those who are secular. Those who are part of an ethnic group, and those part of another ethnic group.
Jewish sovereignty is based on religious mythology. With the Bible as the deed. With laws that defend the land for Jews only. The religious community do not respect the state, as they listen primarily to religious leaders. Many do not participate in military service, and chose religious study rather than formal work. Supported by government funds, which is resented by taxpayers.
The religious community wield political influence, which shapes voting outcomes. They supported belligerent factions, which gained and maintained power through corrupt means. The Israeli justice system supports justice for Jews, not others. Contains an exceptionally sophisticated intelligence network, as long as the perpetrator is not Jewish and the victim not Arabic. For if they are, the network ceases to function.
What Happened To The Kibbutz System?
The region of Palestine had become the Jewish state of Israel due to population size. The Kibbutz system incentivized immigrates that enabled sovereignty. The Kibbutz was a farming commune that provided safety for living. Without the need for safety, the Kibbutz system had failed as there was no longer a purpose. Had transitioned from being sustained by communal work, to sustained by becoming a real estate enterprise, and through Holocaust reparations. Alternative income sources that built luxury, and used immigrants as low-income employment. But the reparation income had declined as members were not sharing their income, causing the Kibbutz to charge members. Rather than equality, those who are politically connected have more power within the Kibbutz.
Various locations, not only in the Kibbutz, feature foreign cheap labor. Labor that contains abusive treatment, with the people overworked, and underpaid. Who live in poor housing, and work with hazardous material. There are qualified immigrants who do not keep their qualifications.
How Does Universal Conscription Affect The State?
Universal conscription enabled a relatively low-cost army composed of the best human capital. Enabled social solidarity and cohesion. While the public wants a change, to develop a professional volunteer army, with a proper salary. The army does not want to lose their ability to recruit form the best.
There have been disillusioned army veterans, who opposed military practices. Speaking about the practices caused them to be demonized as traitors.
Caveats?
The book is meant to explain Israel’s social and political system to others, to outsiders. While many references are explained, sometimes the reader would need prior background to understand the content. There are some Jewish myths raised, which are sometimes disapproved, sometimes used to validate a claim.
Israel can seem united, but is socially divided. Social divisions based on ideology, religion, ethnicity, and state policy. Israel’s social identity was formed by people who built a state out of an existential threat. But after the existential threat was removed, Israel lost its unity. Zionism had accomplished its goal, and stopped being a motivator. No longer an immigrant nation, and no longer share a Zionist upbringing.
Different factions took their place. Different groups are fighting for representation. Those who want an integrated inclusive region, and those who think others are an enemy that respond only to violence. Those who want to treat other with human rights, and those who defend violations of human rights. Those who are religious, and those who are secular. Those who are part of an ethnic group, and those part of another ethnic group.
Jewish sovereignty is based on religious mythology. With the Bible as the deed. With laws that defend the land for Jews only. The religious community do not respect the state, as they listen primarily to religious leaders. Many do not participate in military service, and chose religious study rather than formal work. Supported by government funds, which is resented by taxpayers.
The religious community wield political influence, which shapes voting outcomes. They supported belligerent factions, which gained and maintained power through corrupt means. The Israeli justice system supports justice for Jews, not others. Contains an exceptionally sophisticated intelligence network, as long as the perpetrator is not Jewish and the victim not Arabic. For if they are, the network ceases to function.
What Happened To The Kibbutz System?
The region of Palestine had become the Jewish state of Israel due to population size. The Kibbutz system incentivized immigrates that enabled sovereignty. The Kibbutz was a farming commune that provided safety for living. Without the need for safety, the Kibbutz system had failed as there was no longer a purpose. Had transitioned from being sustained by communal work, to sustained by becoming a real estate enterprise, and through Holocaust reparations. Alternative income sources that built luxury, and used immigrants as low-income employment. But the reparation income had declined as members were not sharing their income, causing the Kibbutz to charge members. Rather than equality, those who are politically connected have more power within the Kibbutz.
Various locations, not only in the Kibbutz, feature foreign cheap labor. Labor that contains abusive treatment, with the people overworked, and underpaid. Who live in poor housing, and work with hazardous material. There are qualified immigrants who do not keep their qualifications.
How Does Universal Conscription Affect The State?
Universal conscription enabled a relatively low-cost army composed of the best human capital. Enabled social solidarity and cohesion. While the public wants a change, to develop a professional volunteer army, with a proper salary. The army does not want to lose their ability to recruit form the best.
There have been disillusioned army veterans, who opposed military practices. Speaking about the practices caused them to be demonized as traitors.
Caveats?
The book is meant to explain Israel’s social and political system to others, to outsiders. While many references are explained, sometimes the reader would need prior background to understand the content. There are some Jewish myths raised, which are sometimes disapproved, sometimes used to validate a claim.
January 5, 2024
Isabel Kershner very thoroughly explains how Israel, ostensibly a unified and homogenous state of the Jewish people, is in fact rife with internal divisions: between Jews and Arabs, between Ashkenazim and Mizrahim, between secular Israelis and ultra-orthodox Jews, between those who serve in the military and those who do not. These portraits of contemporary Israel are well-researched and skillfully interspersed with relevant and succinct histories. The Land of Hope and Fear: Israel's Battle for Its Inner Soul is thus the rarest of all Israel books: thorough, but accessible to those lacking the endless historical context that the country seemingly demands from those interested in it.
But Kershner’s focus on Israel’s internal divisions forces her to overlook an issue on which Israel is tragically but overwhelmingly unified: the subjugation of Palestine. To understand modern Israel is to understand how its oppression of the Palestinians, particularly since the Second Intifada, has deeply corroded its national character. Decades of occupation, and the type of extremist violence that such oppression nurtures in opposition to it, has fostered among Israeli Jews a remarkable degree of consensus—unique for such a diverse and democratic country—against Palestinian human rights, via the country’s strangulation of Gaza and its apartheid regime in the West Bank.
Kershner mostly maintains an objective perspective and detached tone, despite occasional lapses into starry-eyed clichés about Israeli innovation and survival. But by failing to adequately grapple with Israel’s flagrant contempt for international law and human rights, Kershner reveals a bias that undermines what is otherwise a formidable book.
But Kershner’s focus on Israel’s internal divisions forces her to overlook an issue on which Israel is tragically but overwhelmingly unified: the subjugation of Palestine. To understand modern Israel is to understand how its oppression of the Palestinians, particularly since the Second Intifada, has deeply corroded its national character. Decades of occupation, and the type of extremist violence that such oppression nurtures in opposition to it, has fostered among Israeli Jews a remarkable degree of consensus—unique for such a diverse and democratic country—against Palestinian human rights, via the country’s strangulation of Gaza and its apartheid regime in the West Bank.
Kershner mostly maintains an objective perspective and detached tone, despite occasional lapses into starry-eyed clichés about Israeli innovation and survival. But by failing to adequately grapple with Israel’s flagrant contempt for international law and human rights, Kershner reveals a bias that undermines what is otherwise a formidable book.
January 18, 2024
I am an American (secular/Ashkenazi) Jew and a (reluctant) Zionist who was born about five years after the establishment of the state of Israel and the Nakba (the violent displacement of Palestinians from their homes in the course of the wars that broke out after Israel's creation). Both the state of Israel and I have entered our eighth decade. I know that my remaining time on the Earth is limited. With Kershner, I wonder whether the state of Israel will - like the kingdom of David and Solomon and the Hasmonean Dynasty before it - survive as a distinct state in a world of nations or disappear like the Soviet Union.
I came to this book with a life full of experiences as an American Jew and having heard stories about the nature of the life as a Jewish boy/man in America and the world as a whole. As a child, the memories of the Holocaust and the creation of the state of Israel were fresh in the minds of my extended family and community. The fate of the state of Israel was as much of a concern as the outcome of the Cold War. I find it ironic that the Cold War has been over for over for a little more than three decades while the struggle between the Israelis continues. The recent October 7, 2023 massacre by Hamas terrorists and the subsequent invasion of Gaza by the Israel Defense Force is yet another outbreak of conflict - the same old story.
The Land of Hope and Fear deepened my insight into that "old story." Though I had paid attention to events in Israel and the Middle East, and was aware that I had the option to move to Israel and become an Israeli citizen, I knew few Israelis and had never visited Israel and seen Israelis close up. Kershner's introduced me to a rich number of Israelis across three generations of the multiple communities that make up the Israeli polity and helped me to assess my attitude towards the ongoing struggle between Israelis and Palestinians and enriched my understanding of how political decisions are made in the Jewish democracy.
I came to this book with a life full of experiences as an American Jew and having heard stories about the nature of the life as a Jewish boy/man in America and the world as a whole. As a child, the memories of the Holocaust and the creation of the state of Israel were fresh in the minds of my extended family and community. The fate of the state of Israel was as much of a concern as the outcome of the Cold War. I find it ironic that the Cold War has been over for over for a little more than three decades while the struggle between the Israelis continues. The recent October 7, 2023 massacre by Hamas terrorists and the subsequent invasion of Gaza by the Israel Defense Force is yet another outbreak of conflict - the same old story.
The Land of Hope and Fear deepened my insight into that "old story." Though I had paid attention to events in Israel and the Middle East, and was aware that I had the option to move to Israel and become an Israeli citizen, I knew few Israelis and had never visited Israel and seen Israelis close up. Kershner's introduced me to a rich number of Israelis across three generations of the multiple communities that make up the Israeli polity and helped me to assess my attitude towards the ongoing struggle between Israelis and Palestinians and enriched my understanding of how political decisions are made in the Jewish democracy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
This was kind of a 2.5 for me that I'm rounding up. Individual parts of this book were interesting, but it was frustrating as a whole. It had almost no introduction, argument, chronological order, or even much in the way of specific themes to unify the long and somewhat disparate feeling chapters. It felt like a bunch of long-form journalism articles stapled together. There were a ton of names that no one can remember; I could have used more sections on prominent modern Israelis like her interesting profile of Avigdor Liebermann, the right-wing Israeli politician. There was a pretty good section on Bibi, but it would be better to just read a book about Bibi.
The one big strength of this book was giving a sense of the divisions in Israeli society. There's a good chapter on the Haredim, or ultra-orthodox, and their pathological treatment of women and essentially parasitical relationship to the Israeli state. I didn't know that a lot of orthodox Jews don't believe in Zionism, seeing the founding of a Jewish state as something that should come only after the Messiah returns. Kershner shows how the initial Israeli elite was the Ashkenazi socialist-leaning, kibbutz-founding population from Europe that has steadily been displaced. She discusses both Sephardic Jews from the Middle East and North Africa and the Mizrahi Jews who remained for centuries in the land of Israel. The Mizrahi in particular have become quite LIkudnik and resentful of the whiter Ashkenazi elite, and Kershner does a solid job of showing how these ethnic/identitarian divides play out in politics.
This is the kind of book (similar to Jeff Sharlet's the Undertow or George Packer's the Unwinding) where the author doesn't work hard enough to create an argument or thematic unity and just tells disparate stories to give a sense of the mood of a society. They can work, but more often than not the reader just feels like he's drifting through disjointed stories. That's how I felt in this book.
The one big strength of this book was giving a sense of the divisions in Israeli society. There's a good chapter on the Haredim, or ultra-orthodox, and their pathological treatment of women and essentially parasitical relationship to the Israeli state. I didn't know that a lot of orthodox Jews don't believe in Zionism, seeing the founding of a Jewish state as something that should come only after the Messiah returns. Kershner shows how the initial Israeli elite was the Ashkenazi socialist-leaning, kibbutz-founding population from Europe that has steadily been displaced. She discusses both Sephardic Jews from the Middle East and North Africa and the Mizrahi Jews who remained for centuries in the land of Israel. The Mizrahi in particular have become quite LIkudnik and resentful of the whiter Ashkenazi elite, and Kershner does a solid job of showing how these ethnic/identitarian divides play out in politics.
This is the kind of book (similar to Jeff Sharlet's the Undertow or George Packer's the Unwinding) where the author doesn't work hard enough to create an argument or thematic unity and just tells disparate stories to give a sense of the mood of a society. They can work, but more often than not the reader just feels like he's drifting through disjointed stories. That's how I felt in this book.
January 17, 2024
Those of us who were Jewish children born in the United States not long after end of World War II and the founding of the State of Israel grew up with a rosy, inspirational set of images and ideas that are quite different from the modern, realistic picture of the country that Isabel Kershner presents in her book.
Obviously, it has been clear that all is not milk and honey in Israel for many years, especially since the rise of Netanyahu and the hard right that supports such policies as exempting the Haredi from military service and taxes, and promotes settlements in disputed areas.
Kershner presents the history and many sides of modern Israel in great depth. She examines the waves of immigration that have made the country far more complicated and heterogeneous than it was at its founding. Reading this book is illuminating, fascinating, and more than a little depressing at times. Israel cannot be kept on a pedestal – there are so many possibilities, and so much achievement, but also so many inequalities, contradictions, and frustrations for those who are minorities or viewed as outsiders.
The book is eye-opening and thought-provoking. It was written before the current war, and ends on a note of hope, but knowing what has transpired since it was completed, makes it all the more an illuminating, compelling and vital book for those readers who are concerned about the rightward swing in politics here in the United States and other countries, and the increase in anti-Semitic (and anti-Moslem) crimes and protests. While it has no answers, it does provide some background and reasons for the alarming trends we face in the world today.
Obviously, it has been clear that all is not milk and honey in Israel for many years, especially since the rise of Netanyahu and the hard right that supports such policies as exempting the Haredi from military service and taxes, and promotes settlements in disputed areas.
Kershner presents the history and many sides of modern Israel in great depth. She examines the waves of immigration that have made the country far more complicated and heterogeneous than it was at its founding. Reading this book is illuminating, fascinating, and more than a little depressing at times. Israel cannot be kept on a pedestal – there are so many possibilities, and so much achievement, but also so many inequalities, contradictions, and frustrations for those who are minorities or viewed as outsiders.
The book is eye-opening and thought-provoking. It was written before the current war, and ends on a note of hope, but knowing what has transpired since it was completed, makes it all the more an illuminating, compelling and vital book for those readers who are concerned about the rightward swing in politics here in the United States and other countries, and the increase in anti-Semitic (and anti-Moslem) crimes and protests. While it has no answers, it does provide some background and reasons for the alarming trends we face in the world today.
June 19, 2024
The long-time NY Times correspondent draws on her years of reporting and deep insight into Israeli culture to paint a vivid picture of the current [pre Oct. 7] State of the Union.
Rather than present a linear narrative, we get vignettes profiling various sectors of Israeli society. Historical details and political context is provided along the way. This approach introduces us to some interesting characters, but the focus on individual interviews sometimes makes it difficult to see the broader trend, and raises the question as to how representative each of them really is.
What we do get is insight into the various fault lines that run through Israeli society, which all too often is viewed as a single monolith by outsiders, which is a laughable over-simplification. The divisions are deep and long-standing, and cut across generations, religion, ideology, language, skin color, education, ethnicity, politics, socioeconomic status, and other identities.
Audiobook: The narrator has a gratingly upbeat delivery, even when describing horrible things like terrorist attacks where some gravitas is in order. Her pronunciation of Hebrew words is generally awful and weirdly inconsistent - some difficult ones she does fine with, other seemingly easy ones get completely mangled.
Rather than present a linear narrative, we get vignettes profiling various sectors of Israeli society. Historical details and political context is provided along the way. This approach introduces us to some interesting characters, but the focus on individual interviews sometimes makes it difficult to see the broader trend, and raises the question as to how representative each of them really is.
What we do get is insight into the various fault lines that run through Israeli society, which all too often is viewed as a single monolith by outsiders, which is a laughable over-simplification. The divisions are deep and long-standing, and cut across generations, religion, ideology, language, skin color, education, ethnicity, politics, socioeconomic status, and other identities.
Audiobook: The narrator has a gratingly upbeat delivery, even when describing horrible things like terrorist attacks where some gravitas is in order. Her pronunciation of Hebrew words is generally awful and weirdly inconsistent - some difficult ones she does fine with, other seemingly easy ones get completely mangled.
August 1, 2024
This is an interesting book that looks at contemporary Israeli society from several different perspectives. A pervasive theme is the shift from the socialist Zionism of the founders to the fundamentalist and nationalist program of Netanyahu and others on the right. Orthodox populations are on the rise in Israel, affecting not only overall outlook but also central institutions such as the army. Many Orthodox receive exemptions. When they don’t they insist on serving in their own gender-segregated units. The kibbutz has become more privatized and its closed world in some cases has caused strife between the haves within and the have nots without. I found particularly interesting the chapter on the struggle of Jews from the East and those on immigrants from Russia and Ethiopia.
There are striking parallels between Israeli society and American society, as both struggle over how or whether religion is central to their identity. Both have commitments to liberal democracy that sit uneasily with the aspirations of fundamentalist communities. But Israel also has an explicit commitment to being a Jewish state which constrains its ability to accept difference. And, of course, its stranglehold on Gaza has given rise to accusations of war crimes and human rights violations.
The reason I gave 4 stars rather than 5 is because I think the book would have benefited greatly from a background chapter which provided the reader with some history and chronology. A certain level of knowledge is assumed. But even for those with some knowledge a reminder of key events and trajectory would be very useful.
There are striking parallels between Israeli society and American society, as both struggle over how or whether religion is central to their identity. Both have commitments to liberal democracy that sit uneasily with the aspirations of fundamentalist communities. But Israel also has an explicit commitment to being a Jewish state which constrains its ability to accept difference. And, of course, its stranglehold on Gaza has given rise to accusations of war crimes and human rights violations.
The reason I gave 4 stars rather than 5 is because I think the book would have benefited greatly from a background chapter which provided the reader with some history and chronology. A certain level of knowledge is assumed. But even for those with some knowledge a reminder of key events and trajectory would be very useful.
October 30, 2025
When I can get past the cruelty of Israel's founding, I find a fascinating country with many accomplishments (so very like my own!) In her 11 chapters, Kershner presents the communities and ideologies that make up Israel. Most interesting to me were the pre-state and founding stories with competing visions for what the new country should be. There are everywhere ironic parallels: the Irgun flag of a rifle over a line map of "greater Israel" mirroring that of the PFLP, the similarities in ideology between anti-Zionist haredi and many religious Palestinians. The chapter on the two kibbutzim was interesting to me; I had not realized how key were the reparation payments from Germany. Throughout the book were Kershner's interviews with interesting and ordinary people. Like the Palestine before this state, Israel is made up of minority upon minority and all kinds of points of views. Kershner wonders if the country will survive into its eighth decade. So many times it could have fallen apart. In fact, were it not for violent acts of some of those who were dispossessed and their supporters, it might have never stayed together as a country before disintegrating "in a frenzy of civil war and fanaticism". Well-written portrait.
April 29, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
If you really want to get a good understanding of what is going on in Israel right now, this is a great way to do it. The author lives in Israel and reports, and did several in-depth chapters from different sources, showing different divisions in Israel--obviously Palestinian/Israeli, but also Ultra-Orthodox/Israeli, European/Middle Eastern Jews, Moroccan Jews, Russian immigrant Jews, and many more. It was really interesting--the author wrote this during the brief period Netanyahu was NOT PM, but it still felt fresh as I read it in the middle of the protests over Netanyahu's court revamping plan; it all still applies. There is a lot here; if you are just interested casually, it may be a bit much, but if you have the time to spend, this is a very good way to get a handle on what is going on in Israel and why.
If you really want to get a good understanding of what is going on in Israel right now, this is a great way to do it. The author lives in Israel and reports, and did several in-depth chapters from different sources, showing different divisions in Israel--obviously Palestinian/Israeli, but also Ultra-Orthodox/Israeli, European/Middle Eastern Jews, Moroccan Jews, Russian immigrant Jews, and many more. It was really interesting--the author wrote this during the brief period Netanyahu was NOT PM, but it still felt fresh as I read it in the middle of the protests over Netanyahu's court revamping plan; it all still applies. There is a lot here; if you are just interested casually, it may be a bit much, but if you have the time to spend, this is a very good way to get a handle on what is going on in Israel and why.
February 12, 2024
The book tracks the schisms present in Israeli society, and how they’ve only only gotten wider as time has passed since the formation of the modern country in the late 1940s.
The surprise to me is the intensity with which Jewish groups within Israel despise each other, even while presenting a homogenous front to the world. The inevitable hate and repression of new immigrants is a global phenomenon and no different here, same with the racism based on skin colour. And the much talked about distrust between the Arabs and Jews is well known.
An eye opening read nonetheless. It will be interesting to see how the current “war” sparked by the Hamas attacks in Oct 2023 will play out within Israeli society and impact global politics going forward. The book was released prior to that gruesome attack.
The surprise to me is the intensity with which Jewish groups within Israel despise each other, even while presenting a homogenous front to the world. The inevitable hate and repression of new immigrants is a global phenomenon and no different here, same with the racism based on skin colour. And the much talked about distrust between the Arabs and Jews is well known.
An eye opening read nonetheless. It will be interesting to see how the current “war” sparked by the Hamas attacks in Oct 2023 will play out within Israeli society and impact global politics going forward. The book was released prior to that gruesome attack.
December 2, 2024
3.5 stars. This deep dive into Israeli society and politics is not for everyone, but I appreciated the level of detail about the disparate groups that comprise modern Israel. The author profiles Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, Eastern and Western and liberals and zealots. The old guard - the elite secular socialists who established the kibbutz system, are dying out. The fastest growing populations in Israel are the Haredi, who refuse to serve in the military and Arab Israelis, which doesn't bode well for a future Jewish state.
The author does seem to have a bit of a liberal bias and takes more than a few potshots at Netanyahu and Trump. The book came out before the October 7 massacre. It would be interesting to read a follow up on how that attack affected the various groups in the book.
The author does seem to have a bit of a liberal bias and takes more than a few potshots at Netanyahu and Trump. The book came out before the October 7 massacre. It would be interesting to read a follow up on how that attack affected the various groups in the book.
July 18, 2024
4.5 stars. This book was a course material for my college class on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite the fact that, at times, it’s very clear Kershner’s a US (NYT) correspondent—meaning there is a smidge of Western/Israeli bias—this work still possesses a larger degree of fairness towards the Palestinian perspective than I might have guessed. Kershner seems to be, above all else, in the business of carefully listening to people/groups and simply recording who they are and what they want. The book is quite insightful about the current state of Israeli society, and its anecdotes and interviews made me feel like I really got to know the real people of Israel and their perspectives. No significant demographic sector of Israeli society got ignored. Informative and I would recommend it
March 13, 2024
Land of Hope and Fear
This book makes sense of the impossibility of Israel.
Particularly now, post October 7th as the end is nowhere in sight for Israel/Palestinian co-habitation. The world powers have jumped on board the band-waggon, but have nothing at all substantive to bring to the table. Blame, accusations - hate.
This book provides the history of Israel - warts and all and is a great primer of a new country with the oldest of histories.
I wish I had the ‘silver bullet’ but at least I now understand how we got to this awful pass.
Please read this book and reflect.
This book makes sense of the impossibility of Israel.
Particularly now, post October 7th as the end is nowhere in sight for Israel/Palestinian co-habitation. The world powers have jumped on board the band-waggon, but have nothing at all substantive to bring to the table. Blame, accusations - hate.
This book provides the history of Israel - warts and all and is a great primer of a new country with the oldest of histories.
I wish I had the ‘silver bullet’ but at least I now understand how we got to this awful pass.
Please read this book and reflect.
April 20, 2024
This is my least favorite of all the books I've read about Israel/Palestine. While it did a pretty good job of explaining the many communities of people that live in the land, and their various priorities, religious and political goals, if I had not been reasonably well-versed in the basics, I would have felt completely lost. I just didn't think the author did a good job of pulling together the information - even though clearly well-researched - as each chapter just talked about a different constituency without leading the reader to a place of any resolution. I don't know; I was just disappointed.
June 27, 2024
If you want to read just one book on the complexities of modern day Israel, Kershner’s ‘The Land of Hope and Fear’ might be the one to pick up. There’s a lot of nuance and depth packed into this ~350 pp book. Extremely well written and paced, it covers topics of inter- and intra-state dynamics from cultural to religious to ethnic/racial to economic to security and more. Kershner uses frequent first-person accounts to document examples of the topics covered. The book is extremely fair and balanced, and never comes across as judgmental, which is extremely difficult given the passions of some topics tackled. Cant recommend this book highly enough.
September 29, 2023
It does a good job going over the current situation and groups in Israel: old school Laborites on their socialist communes, the rising number of ultra-Orthodox Hardedi, Somali jews, Arab citizens, settlements, Russian Jews, the Israeli tech industry, how things affect the IDF. It's nice coverage and you get a sense of things, but you never get any fuller picture. Also, there's probably too much on the old Labor community, as Kershner notes a few times how they have almost no real electoral support now. This could use more from the right-wing, as you get sections on right-wing groups, but not much sense what's the core support for them.
November 12, 2023
This is a book about the fault lines in Israeli society and there are many. While it does not deal with the elephant in the room, it indirectly offers context for the ongoing Palestinian situation. Each chapter explores a facet of Israeli society, the IDF, the Arab population of Israel, the Orthodox Jewish community and its relationship to the state. It also looks at the various Jewish communities. It is a fabulous and important book, written by a correspondent with a deep knowledge and understanding of Israeli society.
January 5, 2024
This was fine. The book is certainly informative and filled with details. I learned a fair amount about the inner workings of Israeli politics, demographics, cultures, etc., but didn't come away feeling like I had a better grasp of the 'big picture' than I did before reading. All said, the book is written like a series of long articles, as opposed to related chapters. I found the content interesting, but parts are disjointed and confusing and I struggled to find a common thread woven throughout that tied everything together.
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