The Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies
In his book, Uri Ben Eliezer examines the evolution of Israeli warfare, marking the emergence of "Israel's New Wars." He challenges traditional notions of war legitimacy, scrutinizing the siege of Arafat at the Al-Muqata’a and the shifting role of high-ranking officers in the Israeli army. Ben Eliezer explores the influence of Israeli social groups and organizations on the conflict and highlights two key events that shaped contemporary wars: the Oslo Agreements and the Al-Aqsa Intifada. He argues that Israel's "third road" approach, characterized by intimidation, segregation, and separation, neglects the Palestinian struggle for national aspirations and legitimizes continued occupation, violence, and war.
The book delves into the impact of ideology on urban planning in Jerusalem, which often ignores the rights and presence of Palestinians in the city. This planning is driven by long-term geopolitical aims and objectives and is characterized by the prevalent use of power, including military and economic measures, land policies, and planning that seeks to fulfill Israel's aspirations.
"The Arab Jews: A Postcolonial Reading of Nationalism, Religion, and Ethnicity" by Yehuda Shenhav, translated into Arabic by Yaseen Al-Sayyed, is a substantial work comprising 372 pages. This book serves as a preeminent and authoritative reference in the exploration of the identity and existence of Jews, who are often designated by Zionism as "Mizrahim" or Orientals. Notably, Shenhav consistently refers to these Mizrahi Jews as Arab Jews.
"Holocaust, Resurrection, and Nakba," by Yair Auron and translated into Arabic by As’ad Zoabi, offers a poignant exploration of three key historical events: the Holocaust, the “birth of Israel” (referred to as "resurrection"), and the Nakba. Auron, through his research, uncovered more massacres during the Nakba than are commonly acknowledged in Israeli Jewish society. He observes that many Israelis struggle to confront these realities, resorting to suppression, denial, or retroactive justification of the state's actions.
Ex-Libris" by Gish Amit, and translated into Arabic by Ala Hlehel, is a critical examination of the appropriation of cultural assets by the Israeli National Library. A significant portion of the book delves into the 1948 looting of tens of thousands of Palestinian books, documents, and manuscripts from libraries in Jerusalem.
"Stranger at Home," edited by Rawda Kana'ane and Izis Nassir, and introduced by Leila Abu Lughod, is a book that provides a profound exploration of the reality of Palestinian women who live in Israel. This insightful book spans 368 pages is a compelling work authored by a new generation of Palestinian academic women and Israeli citizens who offer unique perspectives that are distinct from those who were displaced.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Atrash's study provides an in-depth analysis of the geography of Israeli settlements, detailing the underlying policies, their significant impacts on Palestinian life, and the future prospects for Palestinians in terms of demography, economy, environment, and most crucially, politics.
The study reveals that Israeli settlements are strategically designed to be permanent fixtures, aiming to create a demographic reality that hinders the Palestinian people's ability to establish a state on their land, as outlined in international resolutions. Palestinian communities in the West Bank find themselves fragmented into isolated cantons, encircled by settlements, physical barriers like the Wall, and bypass roads, complicating the achievement of geographical continuity.
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