Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001 | Benny Morris

Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001 | Benny Morris | A Relatively Unbiased Depiction That Delves In Controversy

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Righteous Victims:...

	Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001 Benny Morris Vintage, 2001 - 800 pages average customer review:based on 39 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Evenhanded and Thorough

This well written and organized book is an effort to provide a fair narrative history of the Zionist/Israeli-Arab/Palestinian conflicts. It is based largely on secondary sources and published documents and not on any extensive archival research. As pointed out by the author, the Israeli historian Benny Morris, there is considerably more documentation available for the Zionists/Israelis. Indeed, much of what Morris can tell us about the Arab/Palestinian side comes from Zionist/Israeli sources. Morris, however, interprets material carefully and this is generally an evenhanded book.
As can be seen from prior reviews, individual reviewer reactions are influenced by prior conceptions of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I am impressed that much of the book is devoted to debunking Zionist mythology. Some examples. Many, if not all Zionist leaders, including most of the founders of the state of Israel, were aware that construction of a Zionist state would require dispossesion of the native Arab populations. The British Mandate was largely beneficial for the Zionists. In the wars of 1947-1948, the Zionists enjoyed significant advantages. While there is less written about the Arabs/Palestinians, several important themes emerge. Palestinian national consciousness is largely a result of the confrontation with Zionism. The Palestinians suffered from incredibly poor leadership. Some of the Palestinian problems, particularly their poor leadership, is a product of the fact that Palestinian society was essentially pre-modern in social and political organization. The Palestinians have been treated poorly by Arab states.
This book is particularly useful for episodes that Americans are unlikely to be familiar with. The 1973 war is described well, including the near victory of the Syrians in the north of Israel. The invasion and occupation of Lebanon, ultimately the only real defeat ever suffered by the Israeli armed forces, is very well described and analyzed.
While I think Morris is correct on broad outlines and is generally fair to both sides, I think he is wrong on some specific points. He suggests that Israeli decision makers misinterpreted Arab nation intentions prior to the 1967 war and that it was avoidable. Michael Oren's recent and very good book on this subject, published after the publication of Morris's book, emphasizes the aggressive intentions of the Arab states and the difficult but probably correct decision made by the Eshkol cabinet to initiate hostitilies. Similarly, Morris states that the US become unswervingly committed to Israel during the Kennedy administration. It is probably closer to the truth to see considerable deepening of the US commitment to Israel as a consequence of the great success in the 1967 war.
Overall, this is the best historical introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and really useful for understanding the genesis of the present and very complex state of affairs.

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A Relatively Unbiased Depiction That Delves In Controversy

Commencing from the roots of zionism and continuing through the downward spiral of peaceful relations between the settlers (Jews) and the occupants (Palestinians), "Righteous Victims" attempts to clarify the historical realities of the Middle East. In just under 700 pages its author, Benny Morris, accurately details a large portion of the history of one of the most conflicted lands in the world.
As a professor at Ben-Gurion University, Morris, puts his occupational status on the line with his depictions of traditionally well-acclaimed Israeli leaders and events of the past. Although unnecessarily wordy at times, the work accomplishes its goal of giving a two-sided evaluation of the conflicts. With this in mind, it is imperative to impress the point that no work is commpletely unbiased. This is quite obvious through portions of the text in which Morris overtly focuses on unnecessary IDF (Israeli) aggression.
The most conclusive portion of the text, appropriately, gives a final "so what" evaluation of the complexities at hand. With most of the text focusing on wars and conflicts, Morris leaves his audience with emphasis on the need for peace in the region. Along with receiving a comprehensive historical text, the reader of "Righteous Victims" will gain an appreciation for communication, tolerance and respect among all people with the ultimate goal of preventing more violence in the name of vengeance.

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Well Done

Morris manages to synthesize a vast quantity of information in this evenhanded and very readable history. He concentrates on military and diplomatic events, making the book a bit repetitive and depressing. He treats the founders of the Jewish State as humans and not the supermen they have been portayed as in many Israeli histories to date. He makes the very important point that the Jews, although technically outnumbered in the War for Independence, were better organized, trained and motivated (and later on, even better armed) than their Arab adversaries. On the whole though, it's a fast read considering it's almost 700 pages long. I would recommend this book for those with an interest in the Israeli-Palestinian struggle.

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, page 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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