A new book by Omer Bartov, a professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University, offers a penetrating analysis of Israel's transformation from a state founded on liberal democratic ideals into what many now consider an oppressive apartheid regime. The review, written by Avi Shlaim, an emeritus professor of international relations at Oxford, highlights how Israel's recent actions, including its assault on Iran, illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, genocide in Gaza, invasion of Syria, and bombardment of Lebanon, have led to its status as an international pariah.
The Historical Context
Bartov, born on a kibbutz and a former IDF officer, dedicates his book to his father, Hanoch Bartov, described as "the last Zionist." The book, titled Israel: What Went Wrong?, explores the evolution of Zionism from a dream to a nightmare. It begins with Israel's formation in 1948 and the failure to adopt a constitution that would reconcile Jewish identity with democratic pluralism. Bartov argues that a written constitution embodying the spirit of the Declaration of Independence might have tempered the creeping racism in Israeli society and reduced indifference to the genocide in Gaza and crimes in the West Bank.
The Nakba and Settler-Colonialism
However, Shlaim suggests that Bartov does not go back far enough to explore the roots of Israeli racism. Zionism, he argues, is a settler-colonial movement whose logic is the elimination of natives to take over land and resources. The 1948 Nakba, which made 750,000 Palestinians refugees, is not a one-off event but an ongoing process. This process reached its climax in Gaza after the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, when Israel aimed to depopulate the Gaza Strip. When Egypt resisted, Israel resorted to wholesale destruction to make Gaza uninhabitable. Bartov notes that ethnic cleansing can escalate into genocide, and genocide in Gaza was accompanied by intensified ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.
International Condemnation
Israel's response to the Hamas attack was a major milestone in its decline. Despite claiming self-defence, Israel acted in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The International Court of Justice found a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza and ordered Israel to take measures to stop it, which Israel ignored. A UN commission concluded that Israel was guilty of genocide, and the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes. Israel now stands credibly accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
A Guide for the Perplexed
Bartov believes that understanding the hopes and aspirations of the other, as well as the errors and sins of the past, is the first step to building a better future. He draws a hopeful conclusion that Israel's campaign in Gaza may eventually liberate Israel from its status as a unique state rooted in the Holocaust. While this offers little comfort to the 73,000 Palestinian victims, it suggests that the licence Israel has enjoyed may be expiring. Shlaim recommends the book as an excellent guide for those seeking to understand Israel's fall from grace, even for traditional supporters feeling discomfort at recent atrocities.
