We Are Not One: A History of America's Fight Over Israel

The book "We Are Not One" by Eric Alterman explores the history and significance of the debate about the fate of the state of Israel and the Zionist movement in American political culture. Despite its importance, the debate has never been systematically examined, and the book explains why it matters to American politics, Jewish life, and Israel itself.

Format: Hardback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2022
Publisher: Basic Books

The debate over the future of the state of Israel and the Zionist movement that gave rise to it has long been a prominent feature of both Jewish and American political cultures. Despite the significant importance of these arguments to American politics, American Jewish life, and Israel itself, no one has ever conducted a comprehensive examination of their history and explained why they matter. In his book, We Are Not One, historian Eric Alterman traces the origins of this debate back to the nineteenth century. Following Israel's 1948-1949 War of Independence, known as the Nakba or catastrophe by Palestinians, few Americans, including few Jews, paid much attention to Israel or the challenges it faced. However, following the 1967 Six-Day War, almost overnight support for Israel became the primary component of American Jews' collective identity. Over time, Jewish organizations joined forces with conservative Christians and neoconservative pundits and politicians to wage a relentless fight to shape Israel's image in the US media, popular culture, Congress, and college campuses.

We Are Not One is a meticulously researched work that delves into the processes that led to the formation of our consensus on Israel and Palestine and explores why it is now fracturing. Alterman provides a rich historical account of the debate, highlighting the key players, events, and ideologies that have shaped our understanding of the region. He also examines the political and social factors that have contributed to the polarization of the debate, including the rise of anti-Semitism, the influence of political lobbying, and the media's role in shaping public opinion.

One of the book's most compelling arguments is that the consensus on Israel and Palestine emerged as a result of a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and political factors. Alterman argues that the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine was a product of nineteenth-century European Zionism, which was driven by a combination of religious and political motivations. He also notes that the establishment of Israel in 1948 was a significant milestone in the history of the Jewish people, but it was also a controversial event that sparked widespread opposition and violence.

Over time, the consensus on Israel and Palestine has been shaped by a range of political and social forces. Jewish organizations have played a crucial role in promoting Israel's image in the US, working closely with conservative Christians and neoconservative pundits to shape public opinion. They have also been active in lobbying Congress and advocating for policies that support Israel, including the controversial American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

At the same time, the rise of anti-Semitism and the delegitimization of Israel in the eyes of some segments of the Muslim world have contributed to the polarization of the debate. This has led to a growing sense of insecurity among American Jews, who fear that their support for Israel could be perceived as an endorsement of Israeli policies that are perceived as oppressive or discriminatory towards Palestinians.

In conclusion, We Are Not One is a thought-provoking and important book that provides a comprehensive examination of the debate over the future of the state of Israel and the Zionist movement. By tracing the history of this debate and exploring the political and social factors that have shaped it, Alterman offers a valuable insight into the complex dynamics that underlie our consensus on Israel and Palestine. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between Judaism, Zionism, and American politics.

Dimension: 235 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780465096312