Just a word about Biden buying a copy of Rashid Khalidi's book, "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine". Well, about the book, not about Biden, because what difference does it make what he reads in his last days in office?
It's not a very good book, IMO, but I have recommended it in the past, along with Ari Shavit's "My Promised Land", as "…
Just a word about Biden buying a copy of Rashid Khalidi's book, "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine". Well, about the book, not about Biden, because what difference does it make what he reads in his last days in office?
It's not a very good book, IMO, but I have recommended it in the past, along with Ari Shavit's "My Promised Land", as "bookends" to help understand the contrary points of view of the Israeli left and Palestinian activists. Both writers have histories that precede the founding of the State of Israel, and their grandfathers might have corresponded with one another, IIRC. Both books were published well before October 7.
Before the flame wars begin, let me note that Khalidi's book is full of whining complaints about the "settler colonialism" canard, but it also provides a bit of context on such things as why Arafat didn't listen to experts (perhaps including Professor Khalidi) and how his grandfather's generation, having perhaps attended medical school in Turkey, were outsmarted by "the Zionists", who [unfairly!] used their understanding the workings of western democracies to their own advantage. In any case, he admits, on the last few pages, that "settler colonialist" states such as Canada, Australia, and the U.S. (among others) are legitimate nations, and he concedes legitimacy for Israel.
So, at the risk of redundancy: I'm not advocating Khalidi's point of view -- far from it -- but it is interesting to read an inside account of events from the other side.
Just a word about Biden buying a copy of Rashid Khalidi's book, "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine". Well, about the book, not about Biden, because what difference does it make what he reads in his last days in office?
It's not a very good book, IMO, but I have recommended it in the past, along with Ari Shavit's "My Promised Land", as "bookends" to help understand the contrary points of view of the Israeli left and Palestinian activists. Both writers have histories that precede the founding of the State of Israel, and their grandfathers might have corresponded with one another, IIRC. Both books were published well before October 7.
Before the flame wars begin, let me note that Khalidi's book is full of whining complaints about the "settler colonialism" canard, but it also provides a bit of context on such things as why Arafat didn't listen to experts (perhaps including Professor Khalidi) and how his grandfather's generation, having perhaps attended medical school in Turkey, were outsmarted by "the Zionists", who [unfairly!] used their understanding the workings of western democracies to their own advantage. In any case, he admits, on the last few pages, that "settler colonialist" states such as Canada, Australia, and the U.S. (among others) are legitimate nations, and he concedes legitimacy for Israel.
So, at the risk of redundancy: I'm not advocating Khalidi's point of view -- far from it -- but it is interesting to read an inside account of events from the other side.