As the war between Israel and Hamas rages on, and news channels and social media feeds are inundated with horrifying images and footage, many of us are searching for ways to help those who are currently suffering, as well as for a better understanding of the crisis, its history, and how we got here. “This conflict has been really dehumanised,” says Dr Federica Bicchi, associate professor in the department of international relations at LSE. “We often talk about Israel and Palestine in these abstract terms and so it becomes very difficult to relate to what’s actually happening on the ground and how normal people are affected by the situation.” To that end, for those seeking to learn more, she recommends reading personal accounts alongside more academic texts.
Below, she shortlists five titles which form a useful starting point – from history books and reportage to a powerful memoir and a compelling graphic novel.
Enemies and Neighbours: Arabs and Jews in Palestine and Israel, 1917-2017 by Ian Black
Enemies And Neighbours: Arabs And Jews In Palestine And Israel, 1917-2017 By Ian Black
£14.29
Amazon
“This excellent book, written by a journalist who undertook extensive academic research to write it, is a comprehensive, balanced (and readable) account of how we got here.”
The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World by Avi Shlaim
The Iron Wall: Israel And The Arab World By Avi Shlaim
£21.84
Amazon
“This classic explains Israeli foreign policy towards its neighbours. It captures well the successes and contradictions of aiming to deal always from a position of strength.”
Sharon and My Mother-in-Law by Suad Amiry
Sharon And My Mother-In-Law By Suad Amiry
£9.35
Amazon
“What happens when a curfew is imposed and you are stuck indoors with a mother-in-law you really don’t like? This and other darkly funny stories help us understand the daily challenges of living in Ramallah.”
Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City by Guy Delisle
Jerusalem: Chronicles From The Holy City By Guy Delisle
£13.28
Amazon
“A Canadian cartoonist is in Jerusalem looking after his small children and trying to navigate a normal life in a complicated environment. From supermarkets to kindergartens, nothing is straightforward in the Holy City.”
A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: A Palestine Story by Nathan Thrall
A Day In The Life Of Abed Salama: A Palestine Story By Nathan Thrall
£22.49
Amazon
“Recounting a real story, this book shows how a small private tragedy (a traffic accident during a school trip) becomes a mirror of Israeli-Palestinian relations as they currently stand.”
