Status Updates From In the Land of Israel

"The Palestinians were the Philistines. They were the peoples of Canaan. Somehow our story and yours is repeating itself."

Oz, Amos. In the Land of Israel (p. 176). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

Barely two hundred meters from the Damascus Gate he says these words to me. In the heart of Jerusalem he says these words to me: “First of all . . . we must return to Jerusalem.” How very strange.

Oz, Amos. In the Land of Israel (p. 162). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

"Judaism is a civilization, and one of the few civilizations that have left their mark on all of mankind. Religion is a central element in the Jewish civilization, perhaps even its origin, but that civilization cannot be presented as nothing more than religion."

Oz, Amos. In the Land of Israel (pp. 135-136). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

"Begin's a different story altogether. He was the one who broke the Zionist taboo against uprooting a Jewish settlement. That’s why I’m so worried after the Yammit business: he’s capable of anything. Anything might happen.”

Oz, Amos. In the Land of Israel (p. 113). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

And Eshkol went on: “If so, then all the death and destruction throughout our history was the finger of God. Maybe the finger of God really is giving us Hebron now. Maybe. Who knows? Obber ich hob moire.”

In other words, I am frightened. Literally, I have fear.

Oz, Amos. In the Land of Israel (pp. 72-76). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

“The situation? Not bad, thank God.M’ken leben. We’re surviving. Nothing to complain about. Thank God for His daily blessings.”

Oz, Amos. In the Land of Israel (p. 26). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

"Individuals given to exclamation points are still all over the place, particularly in the mountains, loud and clear as ever, sometimes engaged in dangerous actions."

Oz, Amos. In the Land of Israel . Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

Twenty pages in and I’m astounded at the level of depth and subtly in Amos’ writing — even in translation his skill transcends the divide between languages.
Truly thought provoking interviews and clarity into the spider web of culture and society that is Israel and Palestine.