Ten Excellent Books and Sources on the Middle East

by Charles Lenchner

Published October 04, 2008 @ 01:36PM PST

Were I asked to provide the English reader with an excellent introduction to the world of Middle East politics (focusing on Israel/Palestine) then this is it.

1. Haaretz Newspaper

Haaretz is Israel’s New York Times, the newspaper of record. The news is relatively straightforward, but occasionally biased towards peace and neo-liberalism. The real treasure is the collection of Israeli voices translated into English, and some excellent in depth feature articles.

2. Abraham- A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths (2002)

Bruce Feiler

Many of us want to look at the modern Middle East and still see the biblical terrain underneath. Feiler allows us to do that while using a figure beloved by Muslims, Jews and Christians. This is a wonderful introduction to see the region in 4d – past, present, future and the imagined past, all at the same time.

3. Electronic Intifada

Ali Abunimah and Nigel Parry

This is an excellent resource for in depth news from Palestine, Palestinian politics, and the pro-Palestinian activist scene. It’s editorial voice supports a one state solution, but not dogmatically, and not to the exclusion of other voices.

4. The Birth of Israel: Myths and Realities (1987)

Simha Flapan.

The author was a prominent political and academic figure within left-Zionist circles. Using the diaries of Israeli leaders and de-classified documents, he presents the Israeli founding narrative side by side with evidence undermining that narrative. Rather than draw on Arab voices, he hews closely to facts and documents from within the Zionist establishment, making his arguments especially powerful to folks coming from a pro-Zionist background.

5. Uri Avnery’s weekly column

Uri Avnery is one of Israel’s most experienced, prolific and well known peace activists. He began fought in the War of Independence, started a weekly tabloid, got elected to the Knesset, and founded the peace group “Gush Shalom.” In his weekly column, he gives some of the best political commentary you will find.

6. Israel 21c (current)

Israel is more than a conflict with a country. It’s a vibrant society pursuing countless competing dreams, and representing the creative output of half of the Jewish people. The diverse half. This site will keep you up to date on Israel’s achievements and sensibilities. NOTE: yes, this is a PR effort founded after the 2^nd Intifada to help advance a favorable image of Israel in the world, especially the US. As long as you understand that – it’s a good source of information.

7. Dispatches from the Peace Front (2008)

Gila Svirsky

Like Avnery, Gila Svirsky is a fixture of the Israeli peace movement. But she is also a woman, a lesbian, and a feminist, which means that she had to overcome severe obstacles to asserting a role within Israel’s militaristic society. She has smart and cogent things to say (always) but this site is especially useful for understanding the leading role that the women’s peace movement has had.

8. Mantle of the Prophet (1985)

Roy Mottahedeh

This is a deeply personal account of Iranian society, the relationship between Shi’a Islam and the nation state most associated with it. The author lived through the Iranian Revolution, and his bittersweet observations help us understand the Iranian people, not just their political history.

9. Pity the Nation (2002)

Robert Fisk

Fisk is a well known British journalist who has covered the Middle East in the best way possible; by positioning himself with the people most likely to be killed and observing reality from their perspective. His book on Lebanon’s history is an absolutely riveting ‘I was there’ piece of journalism.

10. The Yellow Wind (1988)

David Grossman

This is a well known book about the conflict for three reasons: it’s literary, speaks with an exquisitely anguished voice, and came out not long after the start of the Intifada. An excellent introduction to the voice of the guilty, moderate Israeli.