cover image After Zionism: One State for Israel and Palestine

After Zionism: One State for Israel and Palestine

Edited by Antony Loewenstein and Ahmed Moor. Saqi (Consortium, dist.), $15.95 (287p) ISBN 978-0-86356-816-9

It's hard to imagine that these 14 essays seeking to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will change many minds, but that is the hope. The very title will be off-putting to almost all supporters of Israel, and the editors make clear in their introduction that the issue isn't whether a two-state solution is practical at this stage, but that such an approach is inherently unjust. In that sense even-handedness is not the order of the day here, but within this particular frame Loewenstein and Moor present a set of diverse perspectives that challenge the unacceptable status quo while critiquing both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. UCLA Professor Saree Makdisi's "The Power of Narrative: Reimagining the Palestinian Struggle," is a typical entry. He rightfully asks, "Is it really %E2%80%98realistic' or %E2%80%98pragmatic' to expect Palestinians to determine their rights and articulate their aspirations on the basis of what Israelis deem to be acceptable?" At a time when Israeli society has shifted increasingly to the right and narrowed the acceptable limits of conversation, this volume offers valuable contributions to a debate that should be front and center, yet is confined to ever-smaller margins. (Sept.)