The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Jewish/Arab Divide

This is a very enlightening book about the life of Arab (Palestinian) Israelis. A first hand account of the discrimination Arabs face in Israel for just being non-Jews. Susan takes you in an interesting tour around Israel's Arab communities, looking deep into the roots of the problem in the Israeli society. She is not judging Israelis - she is an Israeli Jew herself.

The main theme in her book is the irrationality of Israel's systematic discrimination against its Arab (Palestinian) citizens. Susan's account is supported by statistics, mainly from Israeli sources. It's hard to think that her account is a biased view of the problem. She is trying to focus the light on a specific problem and she does so brilliantly.

Prepare yourself to be shocked by facts never reported by the media.

This is a must read for anyone interested in the history and roots of the Palastinian cause.

THE OTHER SIDE OF ISRAEL (7/9 people found this helpful)

I have read many books on the Middle East but no-one (except Robert Fisk that is)gives quite such a snapshot of the appalling way Palestinians and Arabs generally are viewed and treated by Israel. So Israel can say that they made the desert bloom and have a very good army but not without massive US aid - who knows what Arab Palestine would look like where they to get this sort of aid. Where it not because the Arab countries have 3 or 4 times tried to invade and exterminate Israel then they would have no defence against their mindless apartheid policies towards their fellow neighbour. Unfortunately as in South Africa their neighbours will always be there so nothing will ever change if the power in the region doesn't start to redress the balance. We read in this book of brilliant Arab students denied an Education. We read of Arabs denied building permits when Israelis get it automotically. Worst of all though are the atrocities both in Shatilla and the smaller incidents that have been swept under the carpet with just token enquiries - Where he not in a coma the main war criminal would still be running the show.

Enlightening (21/21 people found this helpful)

I was looking forward to reading this book. I have lived and studied in Israel at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. During my time there, I was not exposed to Arab Israelis or the West Bank. I lived my life with my Jewish friends on a Jewish scholarship experiencing very much only one 'side' of Israel. I found reading Nathan's book illumintaing to say the least. I did not know of many of the injustices that had taken place in establishing the state of Israel and the inequality and sorrow of the Palestinian experience. I don't know whether this was because I chose not to know or I just didn't take any notice. I was shocked when I read this book and my perception has shifted in my understanding of Israel.

Susan Nathan writes fluidly combining the personal and the political in this book that tells of her own experience in discovering the 'lie' of the Zionist ideal that she had been brought up with. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the Palestinian experience in modern Israel and she quotes from and interviews many Arab Israelis and displaced Palestinians. She tells the personal stories of several Palestians who have been driven from their home and ancestoral land, and in doing so shows the human face of the Israeli occupation.

I learnt so much from reading this interesting and impeccably reserached book. There is so much that we in the West are not shown about the true nature of the situation in Israel. I know that I will never look at Israel in the same way again.

A Very Important book (2/2 people found this helpful)

While much is often discussed regarding the plight of the palistinians we often forget that nearly 2 million arabs are israeli citizens. This books tells some of their stories, and brings the harsh light of truth on the aparthied practices within Israel.

The book is an easy and entertaining read, while at the same time filled with a fair number of facts and figures. A must read for anyone who wishes to understand the region.

An important book on the human dimension of the conflict (1/1 people found this helpful)

A most readable book by a courageous Jewish woman. In the course of a gripping narrative she provides a wealth of factual information: an excellent introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for beginners and those who consider themselves more advanced. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn about the realities of the conflict in the Middle East.

The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Jewish/Arab Divide

Susan Nathan

Reader Reviews:

An enlightening must-read book (10/11 people found this helpful)

THE OTHER SIDE OF ISRAEL (7/9 people found this helpful)

Enlightening (21/21 people found this helpful)

A Very Important book (2/2 people found this helpful)

An important book on the human dimension of the conflict (1/1 people found this helpful)

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