This book is a must read for Jews and non-Jews alike. Peter Beinart’s book is a much needed cut against the grain of typical discourse on Israel. He humanizes the Palestinians while not detracting from the horrors of October 7th. As an observant Jew, he grapples with the meaning and purpose of Jewish chosenness while balancing the dangers that some interpretations of Jewish exceptionalism could lead to. Below are some quotes that summarize his perspective: “More than sixty years ago, Hannah Ardent warned that Jewish nationalism contained this danger. ‘The greatness of this people was once that it believed in God,’ she wrote in 1963. ‘And now this people believes only in itself?’ That’s the real meaning of Netanyahu’s words. When he proudly declares that a Jewish state cannot be judged by any external standard, he is making that state—and the Jewish people for whom it speaks—an object of worship. And, as in the Bible, idolatry usually accompanies other sins. You ‘raise your eyes toward your fetishes, and you shed blood,’ the Prophet Ezekiel rebuked the Israelites in the sixth century BCE. ‘You have committed abominations.’ He could have been speaking about this war.”(P72-73). “Many Jews treat a Jewish state the way the Bible feared Jewish monarchs would treat themselves: as a higher power, beholden to no external standard.” (P100). “We have built an alter and thrown an entire society on the flames.” (p103). “Remove Jewish statehood from Jewish identity and, for many Jews, it’s not clear what’s left.” (P107).

Mr. Beinart's little book (121 pages excluding notes) was for me a compelling read and highly informative. If I were to recommend only one book to someone interested in Israel-Palestine, this would be that book. Although its title suggests that it is aimed at Jewish readers, I found it a brilliant antidote to the propaganda ("hasbara") Israel and its allies have offered about its justifications for its decades-long apartheid treatment of Palestinians. Beinart is critical of both the Hamas Oct. 7 attack as well as Israel's conduct of the Gaza War. The book includes a detailed history of Israel's relationship with the Palestinians. Beinart shows how Jews and non-Jews have been conditioned to believe that Israel should be immune to criticism, regardless of its conduct toward others. Beinart argues that many Israelis, have justified their decades-long mistreatment of Palestinians by elevating the State of Israel above the Jewish faith, which of course commands its followers to treat others as one wishes oneself to be treated. Words cannot fully express my gratitude to Mr. Beinart for this courageous and extremely enlightening book. I wish all Americans would read it! (P.S.: Beinart is an editor of and regular contributor to JewishCurrents.com. I highly recommend it).

Thank you thank you NPR Morning Addition for interviewing Peter Beinart last week. Upon hearing his interview I immediately purchased his new book and gobbled it up. I learned so much from reading his prose. This book should be made mandatory reading for all our so called leaders. Let us have an open discussion about the causes of the calamity that the world finds itself facing. And shame on us for turning away from the plight of all the victims in the Middle East. Please read this book and think about what is being said.

If you have yet to lose your illusions and come out against the Jewish Supremacist State, you owe it to your ancestors, descendants, and all Palestinians to engage with the information in this book. I do not believe one could take all of this in and remain unconvinced we must stand up to Zionism, Zionists, and their enablers. If you are so confident the issue is “too complicated,” the danger to Jewish lives too great, or claims to violent dominion (be they divine, legal, ethical, or historical), a few hours and dollars should not pose a threat to your worldview.

Antithetical to principles of equity and equality, hostile to human rights.

Beinart is brave to stand up—with love, not hatred— to his own community. This is a profound and fascinating polemic that seeks to recognize the humanity of all involved.

I’ve been waiting for this book to exist. Thank you.

It's as if the author has no clue what Jihadi$t I$lam is. It's as if he never read Hama$' manifesto and their unapologetical declaration to destroy the Jewish people. Disappointing to say the least.