The One State Reality: What Is Israel/Palestine?

by Michael N. Barnett (Contributor), Nathan J. Brown (Contributor), Marc Lynch (Contributor)

The One State Reality argues that a one state reality already predominates in the territories controlled by the state of Israel. The editors show that starting with the one state reality rather than hoping for a two state solution reshapes how we regard the conflict, what we consider acceptable and unacceptable solutions, and how we discuss difficult normative questions. The One State Reality forces a reconsideration of foundational concepts such as state, sovereignty, and nation; encourages different readings of history; shifts conversation about solutions from two states to alternatives that borrow from other political contexts; and provides context for confronting uncomfortable questions such as whether Israel/Palestine is an "apartheid state."

Genres: Middle East, Nonfiction, Politics, Israel, History

Unknown Binding

Published February 1, 2023

About the author

Michael N. Barnett is a Constructivist scholar and professor of international relations at the Elliott School of International Affairs, in Washington, D.C.. His research has been in the areas of international organizations, international relations theory, and Middle Eastern politics.

Reviews

[Jenni]

This book, published in early 2023, is an anthology of related and interlocking academic papers that collectively explore the current reality in Israel/Palestine. The papers are loosely organized around the assertion that it may be worth considering the ways in which Israel/Palestine, more than fifty years into the occupation, may ontologically begin to be more accurately understood not as a temporary situation but rather resembling something closer to a "one state reality" (largely against either side's wishes).

The "one state reality" concept, at least as used here, is primarily descriptive as opposed to prescriptive or normative. The authors don't argue for a one state solution. Instead, they argue we should think about reframing our conceptions. In particular, they explore whether Israel and the territories are a de facto single state controlled by Israel. If so, and if the two state solution is only a dead legal fig leaf clung to by western democracies for moral and legal posturing, then that may affect how we view Israel's treatment of Palestinians, which we often chalk up to being a temporary aberration until the details of a two state solution are being figured out.

Which way does this lean? Honestly, it doesn't. It features authors from both the right and left of center, and it was wholly void of the emotional and logically insincere hijinks that animate more extreme perspectives on either side. Minor pieces of the essays flirt with analyses of controversial topics -- about the "one state solution", or about the extent to which Israel's actions may constitute apartheid -- but the analyses are extremely restrained and the conclusions (to the extent there are any) sometimes cut against popular progressive positions.

Very, very hopeful that I'll come back and do quick summaries of each of the ~15(?) chapters. Each addresses a unique facet of the conflict -- some favorites were how Israel effectuates control through martial law and mobility and land dispossession regimes; interactions with American domestic politics; why the EU's actions don't match its stated values -- and most were fascinating.

Rating: a rare and well-deserved 5/5.

[Gubly]

This is the problem with academic work on the topic: every essay spends so much ink, so much time, cleaning the lens they intend to look through. I am looking through this lens. I will now outline why this lens is important, why I am revolutionary in looking through this lens, why there has been no previous looking through this specific lens. Then they will take time cleaning the lens. Afterwards there will be a few paragraphs actually looking through the lens, then it’s over.

The introductory essay is very compelling, this is the only compiled body of work that analyzes Israel completely as it is, not as it should be , not as it is imagined to be. Many are delusional, stuck in the paradigm of the two state solution. He makes the comparison of alchemists moving the goal posts to make their fake science not disproven unless the paradigm just collapsed. This is already happening. No framework will replace it except “non solutionism” for the time being.

[Jonathan Sweedler]

From Ezra Klein 11/3/23 - Amaney Jamal - She polled Gazans on Oct 6. Here's what she found.