Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor

Synopsis

New York Times bestseller

Now with a new Epilogue, containing letters of response from Palestinian readers.

"A profound and original book, the work of a gifted thinker."--Daphne Merkin, The Wall Street Journal

Attempting to break the agonizing impasse between Israelis and Palestinians, the Israeli commentator and award-winning author of Like Dreamers directly addresses his Palestinian neighbors in this taut and provocative book, empathizing with Palestinian suffering and longing for reconciliation as he explores how the conflict looks through Israeli eyes. And now, in a brand-new Epilogue, Palestinian readers have been given a chance to respond through their own powerful letters.

I call you "neighbor" because I don't know your name, or anything personal about you. Given our circumstances, "neighbor" might be too casual a word to describe our relationship. We are intruders into each other's dream, violators of each other's sense of home. We are incarnations of each other's worst historical nightmares. Neighbors?

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor is one Israeli's powerful attempt to reach beyond the wall that separates Israelis and Palestinians and into the hearts of "the enemy." In a series of letters, Yossi Klein Halevi explains what motivated him to leave his native New York in his twenties and move to Israel to participate in the drama of the renewal of a Jewish homeland, which he is committed to see succeed as a morally responsible, democratic state in the Middle East.

This is the first attempt by an Israeli author to directly address his Palestinian neighbors and describe how the conflict appears through Israeli eyes. Halevi untangles the ideological and emotional knot that has defined the conflict for nearly a century. In lyrical, evocative language, he unravels the complex strands of faith, pride, anger and anguish he feels as a Jew living in Israel, using history and personal experience as his guide.

Halevi's letters speak not only to his Palestinian neighbor, but to all concerned global citizens, helping us understand the painful choices confronting Israelis and Palestinians that will ultimately help determine the fate of the region. The paperback edition also includes a brand-new Epilogue, containing heartfelt letters of response from a variety of Palestinian readers.

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Summary

Chapter 1: The Unseen Neighbor

* Summary: The author, Yossi Klein Halevi, explains the concept of "neighborliness" in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that despite living in close proximity, Israelis and Palestinians have little contact with each other, creating a dangerous void of understanding.
* Real Example: Halevi describes a personal encounter with a Palestinian construction worker who saves him from falling off a ladder. Despite this act of kindness, Halevi realizes he knows nothing about the worker's life or experiences.

Chapter 2: The Promised Land and the Chosen Nation

* Summary: Halevi delves into the historical and religious claims that both Israelis and Palestinians have to the land of Israel. He argues that both sides have valid arguments but that neither side can claim an exclusive right to the land.
* Real Example: Halevi cites the conflicting narratives surrounding the Temple Mount, which is holy to both Jews and Muslims. He emphasizes the need to acknowledge the different perspectives and find a way to share the space.

Chapter 3: The Nakba and the Holocaust

* Summary: Halevi explores the two central tragedies in the histories of Israelis and Palestinians: the Holocaust for Jews and the Nakba (catastrophe) for Palestinians. He argues that both events have shaped the identities and motivations of both peoples.
* Real Example: Halevi describes how his own father survived the Holocaust and how his experiences influenced his beliefs about the Palestinian refugees.

Chapter 4: The Occupation

* Summary: Halevi examines the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which began in 1967. He argues that the occupation has had a devastating impact on Palestinians, creating a system of inequality and oppression.
* Real Example: Halevi visits Hebron, where he witnesses firsthand the daily harassment and violence faced by Palestinians living under Israeli military control.

Chapter 5: The Two-State Solution

* Summary: Halevi argues that the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a two-state solution, with a secure and independent state for both Israelis and Palestinians. He outlines the challenges and opportunities of this approach.
* Real Example: Halevi describes his own efforts to promote dialogue and build bridges between Israelis and Palestinians in the pursuit of a peaceful coexistence.

Chapter 6: The Next Generation

* Summary: Halevi emphasizes the importance of educating the next generation about the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and fostering a culture of understanding and empathy. He calls for Israelis and Palestinians to break down the barriers that divide them and create a future based on mutual respect and collaboration.
* Real Example: Halevi visits a bilingual school in Jerusalem, where Israeli and Palestinian students learn together and develop friendships that challenge the stereotypes they have been taught.