Friendly Fire: how Israel became its own worst enemy

The former director of Shin Bet, Ami Ayalon, gives a powerful testimony and calls for Israel to change direction, highlighting the need for empathy and understanding of the Palestinian perspective to achieve relative peace and security.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2020
Publisher: Scribe Publications

Ami Ayalon, a former director of the internal security service, Shin Bet, delivers a powerful personal testimony and a urgent call for Israel to change direction. Raised on a kibbutz by parents who had fled the Holocaust, Ayalon's life exemplified the Zionist dream. His commitment to his country propelled a meteoric career, culminating in being named commander of the navy and receiving the Medal of Valour, Israel's highest military decoration. Throughout his career, he remained a staunch supporter of Israel's policies.

However, his appointment as director of the Shin Bet brought about an unexpected transformation. Forced to try and understand the lives and motivations of Palestinians for the first time, Ayalon gained empathy for "the enemy" and learned that when Israel carries out anti-terrorist operations in a political context of hopelessness, the Palestinian public will support violence, because they have nothing to lose. He came to understand that his patriotic life had blinded him to the self-defeating nature of policies that have undermined Israel's civil society while heaping humiliation upon its neighbors.

In this deeply personal journey of discovery, Ayalon seeks input and perspectives from Palestinians and Israelis whose experiences differ from his own, and draws radical conclusions about what Israel must do to achieve relative peace and security.

Ayalon's testimony highlights the need for Israel to shift its approach to the conflict with the Palestinians. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and dialogue to build bridges between the two sides. He calls for a political solution that recognizes the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people while ensuring Israel's security.

Ayalon's book, "The Hill We Climb: A Personal Journey to the Heart of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict," provides a comprehensive account of his journey and his recommendations for a peaceful resolution. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of the region and seeking a path to peace.

In conclusion, Ami Ayalon's powerful personal testimony and urgent call for Israel to change direction offer a valuable perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His journey of discovery and his radical conclusions about what Israel must do to achieve relative peace and security are a testament to his commitment to finding a solution that is based on empathy, understanding, and dialogue. His book, "The Hill We Climb: A Personal Journey to the Heart of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict," is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of the region and seeking a path to peace.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 153 x 233 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913348595