Overcoming Zionism: Creating a Single Democratic State in Israel/Palestine (Paperback)

by Joel Kovel (Author)
Key Phrases: racist state, state racism, ethical superiority, United States, South Africa, Middle East (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A call to transform Israel into a secular democracy by a leading writer --

This book is absolutely fundamental for those who reject the unfortunate confusion between Jews, Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel -- a confusion which is the basis for systematic manipulation by the imperialist power system. It convincingly argues in favour of a single secular state for Israelis and Palestinians as the only democratic solution for the region. Zionism creates a terrible contradiction that eats away at the soul and conscience of the Jewish people. The problem is that you can't have a democratic state for just one people while excluding the others. It is just a logical impossibility. The notion of democracy derives from universal ideals based on universal human rights; it cannot exist where there is a systematic inequality, and all the more so when these others are those who have been dispossessed by Zionism.

Book Description

-- A call to transform Israel into a secular democracy by a leading writer -- 'This book is absolutely fundamental for those who reject the unfortunate confusion between Jews, Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel -- a confusion which is the basis for

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Pluto Press (February 20, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 0745325696 ISBN-13: 978-0745325699 Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #109,922 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #72 in  Books > Nonfiction > Government > Democracy #72 in  Books > Nonfiction > Law > Constitutional Law > Human Rights #88 in  Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > Political Doctrines > Democracy

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
racist state, state racism, ethical superiority

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, South Africa, Middle East, Eretz Israel, Occupied Territories, Old Testament, Labor Zionism, Ariel Sharon, Avi Dichter, Benny Morris, Deir Yassin, Meir Kahane, New York, Democratic Party, Jewish Agency, Nazi Germany, Rachel Corrie, Second Intifada, Tel Aviv, Baruch Goldstein, Chaim Arlosoroff, Greater Israel, Third Reich, David Ben-Gurion, Gush Emunim

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!

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Customer Reviews

10 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (4)           Average Customer Review 3.4 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 163 of 183 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Importance of Kovel's book on Zionism, April 30, 2007 By  Victor Wallis - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Kovel deepens the debate over Zionism. He writes powerfully, from a position fully cognizant and respectful of the highest ethical standards in Jewish tradition. He shows, more effectively than any other writer I know, the utter groundlessness of the the accusation that those who reject Zionism are thereby "antisemitic." He demonstrates that the Zionist project has been from its outset a colonial one, and thus an aberration from traditions of respect for human rights (including those of Judaism itself). It is important to note that when Kovel speaks of "overcoming" Zionism, he is not thinking of its being vanquished militarily; he is speaking of transcending it. His prose speaks to what is noblest in all of us. Transcending an agenda like that of Zionism means bringing about reconciliation: in this case overcoming not only the political conflict between two peoples claiming the same land, but also the differences within the Jewish community which, especially in the United States, have made the full and open airing of these underlying issues almost taboo. 145 of 164 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars An important work - highly recommended, May 26, 2007 By  K. Boulos (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Kovel's book is the best survey of Zionism, its roots, its outcomes and why it is one of the most destructive ideologies today for Jews, Palestinians and the rest of the world. The primary conclusion that he draws is that the primary road to peace is the dismantling of Zionist ideology as a whole and putting in its place a construct based on Universal human rights and respect for the human dignity of all individuals. What is unique about his analysis is that he looks at Zionism from all angles - including its psychological, sociological, religious, economic and geopolitical aspects. He then looks at the state of Israel and how the marriage of Zionism with all instutions of the state and society has created a haven for Jewish religious fanaticism, militancy, violence and racism. These aspects of the state and society are, because of the nature of Zionism, ever-increasing and becoming more and more dangerous, with no mechasims for self-correction. For Zionists, hardcore believers or passive acceptors, reading this book will present them with a perspective that they have not likely heard before and a very important reality adjustment for their world view. For non-Zionists it will enable them to understand what exactly is so problematic with this Zionist ideology which has resulted in such strife for almost a century. Finally it presents a prescription for action to overcome Zionism both in Israel, the US and everywhere else. I cannot recommend this book enough. 127 of 148 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on Zionism , June 15, 2007 By  anti-zionist Jew "antizionist" (California) - See all my reviews This book stands with, if not surpassing Uri Davis' Apartheid Israel, Akiva Orr's Israel, and John Rose's book The Myths of Zionism. With a unique combination of history, psychoalalytic insight, and truly excellent writing, it weaves so many important threads together, from the bad consicience that haunts the modern Zionist to the political machinations that have given rise to the state of Israel and the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. As someone that has travelled to Occupied Palestine on a number of occaisons and volunteered with the ISM, this book should be read by activists and all who are concerned about the people of Israel/Palestine. Forget the usual political analysis, the dogmatic attachment to the 2 state solution, the never ending "peace (piece?) process," that never brings peace, this book identifies the illness which is Zionism, and the need for Justice for Palestinians, which will bring peace someday.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for everyone I am currently reading this book and I cannot put it down. It is very informative. I will most likely read it again and again. Read more Published 5 months ago by incognito911 5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant If you're jewish, you need to read this. It truly changed my view of the whole conflict, having gone from an Israel supporter to a staunch critic. It is a must-read. Published 12 months ago by Alex M. 5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Solution The only solution to a land that is beloved to both the Israelis and Palestinians. Get rid of the borders and walls, the discriminations and differences. Love your neighbor. Published 18 months ago by sam 1.0 out of 5 stars Mainstreaming Anti-Zionism/Anti-Semitism Written by Clare Spark, Ph.D. Not since Mein Kampf have I read such an incoherent diatribe against the would-be world dominating Jews, and he does mean Jews and... Read more Published 21 months ago by Margo Itskowitch 1.0 out of 5 stars shoddy scholarship Considering its author's background (a university professor) readers will likely be dismayed by Kovel's absence of critical thinking, its distortion of Zionist history and... Read more Published 23 months ago by Edward 1.0 out of 5 stars Anti-Israel rhetoric One would think that Kovel, trained in psychiatry and psychoanalysis, would have been embarrassed to begin his book with so much unresolved anger towards his Jewish family. Read more Published 24 months ago by Meyer A. Rothberg 1.0 out of 5 stars Counterproductive Joel Kovel was a candidate for the Green nomination for US President in 2000. Given the Green Party's concern for the environment, I would expect such a person to show a little... Read more Published on July 8, 2007 by Jill Malter Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Pluto Press (February 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745325696
• ISBN-13: 978-0745325699
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #109,922 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #72 in	Books > Nonfiction > Government > Democracy
  #72 in	Books > Nonfiction > Law > Constitutional Law > Human Rights
  #88 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > Political Doctrines > Democracy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

163 of 183 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Importance of Kovel's book on Zionism, April 30, 2007

By	Victor Wallis - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Kovel deepens the debate over Zionism. He writes powerfully, from a position fully cognizant and respectful of the highest ethical standards in Jewish tradition. He shows, more effectively than any other writer I know, the utter groundlessness of the the accusation that those who reject Zionism are thereby "antisemitic." He demonstrates that the Zionist project has been from its outset a colonial one, and thus an aberration from traditions of respect for human rights (including those of Judaism itself). It is important to note that when Kovel speaks of "overcoming" Zionism, he is not thinking of its being vanquished militarily; he is speaking of transcending it. His prose speaks to what is noblest in all of us. Transcending an agenda like that of Zionism means bringing about reconciliation: in this case overcoming not only the political conflict between two peoples claiming the same land, but also the differences within the Jewish community which, especially in the United States, have made the full and open airing of these underlying issues almost taboo.

145 of 164 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important work - highly recommended, May 26, 2007

By	K. Boulos (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Kovel's book is the best survey of Zionism, its roots, its outcomes and why it is one of the most destructive ideologies today for Jews, Palestinians and the rest of the world. The primary conclusion that he draws is that the primary road to peace is the dismantling of Zionist ideology as a whole and putting in its place a construct based on Universal human rights and respect for the human dignity of all individuals.

What is unique about his analysis is that he looks at Zionism from all angles - including its psychological, sociological, religious, economic and geopolitical aspects. He then looks at the state of Israel and how the marriage of Zionism with all instutions of the state and society has created a haven for Jewish religious fanaticism, militancy, violence and racism. These aspects of the state and society are, because of the nature of Zionism, ever-increasing and becoming more and more dangerous, with no mechasims for self-correction.

For Zionists, hardcore believers or passive acceptors, reading this book will present them with a perspective that they have not likely heard before and a very important reality adjustment for their world view. For non-Zionists it will enable them to understand what exactly is so problematic with this Zionist ideology which has resulted in such strife for almost a century. Finally it presents a prescription for action to overcome Zionism both in Israel, the US and everywhere else.

I cannot recommend this book enough.

127 of 148 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on Zionism , June 15, 2007

By	anti-zionist Jew "antizionist" (California) - See all my reviews

This book stands with, if not surpassing Uri Davis' Apartheid Israel, Akiva Orr's Israel, and John Rose's book The Myths of Zionism. With a unique combination of history, psychoalalytic insight, and truly excellent writing, it weaves so many important threads together, from the bad consicience that haunts the modern Zionist to the political machinations that have given rise to the state of Israel and the ethnic cleansing of Palestine.

As someone that has travelled to Occupied Palestine on a number of occaisons and volunteered with the ISM, this book should be read by activists and all who are concerned about the people of Israel/Palestine. Forget the usual political analysis, the dogmatic attachment to the 2 state solution, the never ending "peace (piece?) process," that never brings peace, this book identifies the illness which is Zionism, and the need for Justice for Palestinians, which will bring peace someday.