Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

This book is well written, interesting and full of facts I never knew. However, for my grade level it would be a bit too much for my classroom library. It will be a wonderful addition to any personal library!

Daniel Sokatch, expert on the Israeli conflict from his longtime interest in the subject as well as his current role as head of the New Israel Fund, brings light to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in his book Can We Talk About Israel? For those who find themselves confused from listening to those who promote either the Palestinian or the Israeli viewpoint, this book brings a refreshing look at how both sides are sometimes right and sometimes wrong and both have been the victims at times. Sokatch traces the historical conflict from Biblical history right into the present day with both times of optimism that resolution can come and times of despair when no hope is in sight. This is a very readable book with detailed understanding of the history of the conflict done in a very evenhanded look at both sides of the conflict. It will bring understanding to those seeking an honest understanding of the highly emotional and complex claim to the land of Israel-Palestine.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. This book is entertaining and informative at the same time. As a Palestinian, the author's account does not come from my point of view. I didn't see the other side of the story described here.

This book gives a comprehensive history of Israel that was easy to follow and understand. The “Lexicon of the Conflict” at the back of the book was incredibly helpful to clarify various terms and issues and I could see myself referring back to it in the future.

The author did a great job at sticking to the facts, providing information about both sides of the conflict. He describes the complicated history and politics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without favouring one side, over the other. I am so grateful for honest books like this that help to educate us, and allow us to really understand both sides of a conflict that has no easy solution.

I was so thankful to receive an advanced copy of this book! My young adult kids have been following the news and asked my husband, who received quite a bit of historical training on this topic, what was the issue with Israel? I read this book on our family road trip and frequently stopped to share information and what I learned with them. The author did a fabulous job breaking down the political, religious, and human rights issues using analogies, examples, and simple easy to understand language. This book should be required reading for all to understand better that there are no easy solutions. While I can see this book easily being a best seller, I can also see that it will be controversial for some. But history is history, whether it be good, bad, or ugly. Thank you for taking my blinders off so that I could form a more intelligent evidenced based opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Can We Talk About Israel? provides a history of Israel that was helpful in outlining and understanding the history of the state.

I found it easy to read and understand.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Jews and the Arabs (especially the Palestinians) simply hate each other. It is a classic example of ethnic nepotism elevated by the Islamic belief that once any territory is governed by Muslims it can never be governed by any other group and a never-ending holy war must be waged by all Muslims to win it back. This tries but fails to unwind this basic truth.

If you have heard or seen anything about Israel and Palestine over the course of your lifetime and wondered, "how did it get this way?" or, "Why is this happening?" and then immediately got overwhelmed while doing online research, then this is the book for you. Sokatch writes succinctly and plainly so that even if you have no previous knowledge on the conflict, by the end of the book, you will have a better understanding without feeling like everything was flying over your head. On top of that, the book felt very impartial, as Sokatch didn't make a case for supporting one way or the other. Instead, Sokatch laid out every fact and detail and remarked on how grey the whole conflict is, giving you both the good and bad.

The book is divided into two parts: the first, a history, from Biblical accounts all the way to 2020; the second, discussing various talking points on why people get so up-in-arms when talking about the conflict. Personally, I was thoroughly engaged throughout the book, but especially in reading the history portion. Growing up, in classes all the way through college, even in "World History", you get a very quick look at Israel, and how your country ties into it. But this book gives you a deep dive into Israel's history, and then how other nations tie into it, rather than the reverse you're used to. It was fascinating and eye-opening, especially as to how much has really gone on without me ever realizing it, even while I was alive (and I'm not that old!) The second part was helpful in understanding a bit more of why certain people pick certain sides in the United States, and how politics around the world tie in to it all.

I am especially grateful to have read this book, as in the middle of my read, violence broke out between Israel and Palestine. Reading this book gave me more insight as to what was going on, definitions for things like Hamas, and a better grasp on the area (the area of Israel is the size of New Jersey-I always thought much larger!) I feel like the author took what could be a whole semester's worth of class and condensed it down into something accessible for anyone. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about Israel and Palestine!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

What? No reviews? Does no one want to have the Israel conversation? I mean, sure it’s controversial, but it’s so interesting. Ok, guess I’m the first to rate and review this, very good, then, I’m glad to help get this book the attention and audience it so absolutely deserves.
I was actually able to have an intelligent informed conversation about Israel prior to reading this book based on having taken an excellent Middle East class and doing other reading and following the news. But the thing about knowledge and information is that there’s always more to be had. And this book provided that amply. It even had drawings, very good ones, from minimalist outline like sketches to excellent portraiture.
The thing is my knowledge of Israel’s past, facts and politics went up to approximately the beginning of Netanyahu’s reign and since then the country has taken a critical turn to the right, following the terrifying global nationalistic trend of recent years and this book covered all of that. So now I’m educated…and saddened. But that’s politics for you. You can’t be informed and happy or, you know, that thing they say about ignorance…
But whether you had some foreknowledge of Israel or none, this book will get you up to speed. It’s an excellent comprehensive primer on the country’s origins and it’s tumultuous existence. The author is someone who really knows what he’s talking about, having lived there and having been actively involved with it as the CEO of the New Israel Fund. The man is used to talking about Israel, knows how to do it and can write about it eloquently, eruditely and accessibly.
And boy does he have his work cut out for him. Israel isn’t just one of those divisive subjects that make you want to avoid politics in polite company, it’s also an insoluble political puzzle. A question with no right answer. The author, to his credit, tries to provide answers stated with tact as personal opinions while presenting the readers with a multitude of perspectives, but in the end it seems (more so the more I learn about it) that there is no end to it all. Two nations both convinced of their right to belong, unwilling or unable to satisfactory compromise.
The last four years have been spectacular for Netanyahu, propped up by his best American buddy, but now things have changed. And (related or not) The New York Times has had reports of worse violence in years in Israel the last few days. It’s difficult to hope for a happy resolution, based on the ample empirical evidence offered in the book. The author tries to give you a positive ending, featuring testimonials of individuals who are fighting for unity and trying to make a positive change, but as nice as that is, it seems profoundly insignificant against the sheer immensity of the conflict.
The interesting thing is that whatever you want to accuse Israel of, it’s nothing new, it’s just more recent. America has been found on displacing and killing the native people and everyone seems to be ok with it, made Thanksgiving out of it. It seems that in politics as in life, if you’re large, loud and obnoxious enough, you’ll be forgiven. Israel, a country the size of New Jersey, remains as controversial as ever and has had more than a fair share of wars, opprobrium and difficulties for a place that’s only been established in 1948.
But that’s just yet some of the yet another one sided Israel conversation, albeit now, thanks to this book, more informed than ever. This book is smartly laid out, first talking facts then connecting them to the grand scheme of global politics. You will absolutely be able to talk about Israel after finishing it, so fait accompli for the author. I’m very glad I read this book. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.