Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza, Peter Beinart

It’s hard for me to evaluate this book, because it was articulating an argument that I already agreed with before I read it. I would love to know how persuasive it is to someone who didn’t share those views.

But what I think is so vital and important is that it is a critique of Israel that is in no way distinct from a deeply held Jewish identity, and a profound love of Judaism and Jewish people. In particular, Beinart writes about Zionism with empathy and understanding. He argues — quite rightly I think — that people focused on the atrocities in Gaza often fail to understand and speak up about how profoundly traumatizing and horrific October 7 was. And so his critique of Israel and detailed account of crimes against Palestinians comes from a place of love, actually, a politics of love.

It’s impressive, how much he is able to pack into this short, concise book. It’s rigorous but also moving and offers a vision of hope, impossible as it may seem.