Israel on the Brink

A renowned Israeli-British historian argues Israel is fracturing, and considers the issues that must be centered for a peaceful future for Palestinians and Jews alike

In this timely book, historian Ilan Pappe argues that with the 2022 election of the most right-wing government in Israel's history, the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, and the subsequent Israeli war on Gaza, political fractures inherent in the Jewish state have expanded dangerously-and will potentially lead to Israel's collapse. With the goal of working towards a transition that is as peaceful as possible, Pappe sets out his thoughts about the risks and opportunities emerging from this historical moment.

Eight "mini-revolutions," he argues, will be necessary for this more hopeful future to emerge, including:

Relocating the Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees to the center of the future vision; Establishing a new definition for the Jewish collective in historical Palestine; Finalizing a plan for the future of the Jewish settlements built in the West Bank since 1967; and Creating a new strategy for a united Palestinian national movement.

Pappe concretely envisions a more just future-a democratic decolonized state for both Palestinians and Israelis-and how we might get there.