Ten Myths About Israel

An urgent, updated reissue of the essential book on the myths—and reality—behind the state of Israel.

In this groundbreaking book, the outspoken and radical Israeli historian Ilan Pappe examines the most contested ideas concerning the origins and identity of the contemporary state of Israel. This has been updated with a new afterword on the 2023 invasion of Gaza.

The "ten myths" that Pappe explores-repeated endlessly in the media, enforced by the military, accepted without question by the world's governments-reinforce the regional status quo. He explores the claim that Palestine was an empty land at the time of the Balfour Declaration, as well as the formation of Zionism and its role in the early decades of nation building. He asks whether the Palestinians voluntarily left their homeland in 1948, and whether June 1967 was a war of "no choice." Turning to the myths surrounding the failures of the Camp David Accords and the official reasons for the attacks on Gaza, Pappe explains why the two-state solution is no longer viable.

The ten myths:

1. Palestine was an Empty Land
2. The Jews were a people with out a land
3. Zionism is Judaism
4. Zionism is not Colonialism
5. The Palestinians Voluntarily Left their Homelands in 1948
6. The June 1967 War was a war of 'No Choice'
7. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East
8. The Myths about the Oslo Agreement
9. The Lies we tell about Gaza
10. The two state solution is the only way forward

Praise:

"Ilan Pappe is Israel’s bravest, most principled, most incisive historian." - John Pilger

"One of the most prominent Israeli political dissidents living in exile … He is also one of the few Israeli students of the conflict who write about the Palestinian side with real knowledge and empathy." - Avi Shlaim,  Guardian

"Along with Edward Said, Ilan Pappe is the most eloquent writer of Palestinian history." - New Statesman