Our Palestine Question: Israel and American Jewish Dissent, 1948-1978

A new history of the American Jewish relationship with Israel focused on its most urgent and sensitive issue: the question of Palestinian rights  

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2024
Publisher: Yale University Press

American Jews have long been engaged in a complex and multifaceted relationship with Israel, particularly concerning the issue of Palestinian rights. This relationship has evolved over time, with American Jews beginning to debate Palestinian rights issues even before Israel's founding in 1948. In his book, "The Forgotten Voice of American Jewry: A New History of the American Jewish Relationship with Israel," Geoffrey Levin seeks to recover the voices of American Jews who, in the early decades of Israel's existence, called for an honest reckoning with the moral and political plight of Palestinians.

These now-forgotten voices include individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. One such individual is a former aid worker-turned-academic with Palestinian Sephardic roots, who was deeply influenced by their understanding of Jewish history, identity, and ethics. Another is a former Yiddish journalist who had a strong sense of social justice and believed that the plight of Palestinians was closely linked to the broader struggle for human rights. Additionally, there were anti-Zionist Reform rabbis who saw the establishment of Israel as a betrayal of Jewish values and advocated for a more peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Despite their differing viewpoints, these American Jews were united by their belief in the importance of supporting Palestinian rights. They recognized that ignoring Palestinian rights could foster antisemitism and lead to further injustice and violence. As a result, they sometimes worked with mainstream American Jewish leaders who shared their concerns, leading them to press Israeli officials for reform. However, Israeli diplomats viewed any American Jewish interest in Palestinian affairs with deep suspicion, leading to a series of quiet confrontations that ultimately kept Palestinian rights off the American Jewish agenda up to the present era.

Levin's book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate over Palestinian rights and the U.S.-Israel relationship. By reconstructing this hidden history, Levin lays the groundwork for more forthright debates over these issues and helps to shed light on the complex and often contentious relationship between American Jews and Israel. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the history and dynamics of this critical relationship.

Weight: 578g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300267853