Genocide, the Holocaust and Israel-Palestine: First-Person History in Times of Crisis

This book discusses the tensions between Holocaust and genocide studies, the importance of local history and individual testimony, and how legal discourse has served to uncover and deny individual and national complicity. It also demonstrates how first-person histories provide a better understanding of events and draw on the authors personal trajectory to consider links between the fate of Jews in World War II and the plight of Palestinians.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 10 August 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book delves into some of the most pressing and contentious debates surrounding the study, commemoration, and politicization of the Holocaust through a diverse range of critical perspectives. Omer Bartov skillfully examines the intricate tensions between Holocaust and genocide studies, which have often intersected and diverged, while compellingly advocating for the significance of local history and individual testimony in comprehending the nature of mass murder. He further critically assesses how legal discourse has played a dual role in uncovering and denying individual and national complicity in these tragic events.

Genocide, the Holocaust, and Israel-Palestine explores how first-person narratives enhance our understanding of events that may initially seem inexplicable. Moreover, the author draws upon their personal journey to consider the interconnectedness between the fate of Jews during World War II and the plight of Palestinians during and after the establishment of the state of Israel. Bartov compellingly demonstrates that these five perspectives, which have rarely been discussed together in a single book, are intricately linked, shedding valuable light on each other. Consequently, the Holocaust and other genocides must be viewed as interconnected catastrophes in the modern era. To fully comprehend such profound human tragedies, it is essential to examine them on a local and personal scale. This necessitates a deep sense of historical empathy, achieved through personal-biographical introspection. Furthermore, genuine, open-minded, and rigorous introspection is crucial, as it prevents historical understanding from becoming obfuscated and enables the revelation of uncomfortable yet clarifying connections, such as the relationship between the Holocaust and the Nakba, the mass flight and expulsion of Palestinians in 1948.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex and multifaceted debates surrounding the study, commemoration, and politicization of the Holocaust. Through a diverse range of critical perspectives, Bartov provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this tragic historical event. By examining the tensions between Holocaust and genocide studies, the role of legal discourse, the significance of local history and individual testimony, and the interconnectedness of these perspectives, the book offers insights that are essential for a deeper comprehension of the Holocaust and its implications for the world today.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 240 x 164 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350332324