Can We Talk About Israel?

An essential, accessible guide to one of the most complex, controversial topics in the world, from a leading expert on Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict-now revised and updated.

Israel-and its conflict with the Palestinians-is one of the hardest things in the world to understand, let alone talk about. And if talking about Israel has long been divisive, contentious, and controversial, it got a whole lot harder after the horrific events of October 7, 2023 and the catastrophic violence that followed. Daniel Sokatch regularly deals with this challenge as head of the New Israel Fund, an organization dedicated to equality and democracy for all Israelis, not just Jews. As Sokatch asks, is there any other topic about which so many intelligent, educated, and sophisticated people express such strongly and passionately held convictions, and about which they actually know so little?

Can We Talk About Israel? is the story of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, grappling with a century-long struggle between two peoples that both perceive themselves as, and indeed are, victims. And it’s an attempt to explain why the Israeli-Palestinian conflict inspires such extreme feelings. Complete with engaging illustrations by Christopher Noxon, Can We Talk About Israel? is an easy-to-read yet penetrating and original look at the history and basic contours of one of the most complicated conflicts in the world.