Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

Coffee and an audiobook on this chilly Saturday morning. I‘ve felt down this past month, unable to help those needing help, unable to shake the feeling that whatever I say will be the wrong thing. And so I continue to listen, to hope I understand, to never stop learning.

BarbaraBB I loved this book. It taught me a lot and I am so sorry Israel and Palestine haven‘t been able to find their way to peace with so many people wanting it at the time 1y

lynneamch Well said. Truly listening to seek more to understand than to be understood. I'm trying too. 1y

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Smarkies

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

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I found this book to be a frank discussion on the Jewish view point whilst still acknowledging the Palestinian one. There are some replies from the Arab / Palestine viewpoint online which were enlightening as well.
Read for #palestine #readingasia2021
Read also for November's #bookspin
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 3y

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BarbaraBB

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

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In 10 letters an Israeli author reaches out to his #Palestininan neighbours on the other side of the wall. As nuanced as possible and trying to see the conflict between the two nations from both sides - with much empathy for all Palestinian trauma but also demanding an understanding of what Israel, and its people stand for. ⬇️⬇️

#ReadingAsia2021 🇵🇸

Cinfhen, Librarybelle

BarbaraBB ⬆️⬆️ It is an admirable and profound effort and although I think it is (inevitable probably) biased at times, I understand much more about the Jewish story and the significance of Israel in Jewish identity. I am happy to see the letters did reach people in the Arab world who are responding to in on a to the project dedicated website: https://www.letterstomyneighbor.com/reader-responses/
⬇️⬇️ (edited) 3y

BarbaraBB ⬆️⬆️ Steps are small but maybe they'll help towards a better understanding and, who knows, a two state solution. As the author ends his last letter: Insjallah. 3y

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I have always been very interested in Israel and Palestine but this book adds so much to the Israelian perspective. It book must have meant a lot to you and I am grateful you trusted me to send it to. 🙏 Thank you 🤍 3y

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nanuska_153 I opened a couple of the responses and they were very supportive, but not Palestinian, finally scrolled to a Palestinian response and it was very critical https://www.letterstomyneighbor.com/a-response-by-qasem-y-awad-from-palestine/ I also read the author's response, focusing on the Jews historical right to live there.In my 3y

nanuska_153 In my opinion, I've always had the same view than Quasem's on this point "...in discussing your return as part of an ingathering of an indigenous people, you describe the phenomenon as a historical justice which in some way compensates for the historical injustice to which you have been subjected in the past. But why should I pay the price of this historical injustice? Why should your justice come at my expense?" 3y

nanuska_153 I don't see the relevance of a 3000 years old "right" to a land that allows for the massacre and denies the right of people that were this century on that land to live there;the argument is superfluous.UN shouldn't have made that resolution and give land that's not of the UN to give.That's superfluous too,you can't change it,but land must be returned to the Palestinians so both have space to live in peace and Israel has to acknowledge their crimes 3y

BarbaraBB @nanuska_153 That is the point I think the author is biased about and I agree with you. But I do think that regardless he tries his best to find a solution for both nations to live here - and that takes courage and vulnerability. The responses are mostly from other Arab countries indeed but I am still impressed by the dialogue. The role of other Middle Eastern countries is of such great importance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well. (edited) 3y

BarbaraBB @nanuska_153 But let me be clear that I am an outsider, I have no idea what it means to be in the middle of it. I am just learning and trying to see different sides. 3y

Cinfhen Beautiful photo and lovely review. Thank you for taking the time to read through the book. I think the more we learn the better chances we have of reaching a peaceful resolution 🙏🏼 3y

Librarybelle Very nice review! And once again, the photo is gorgeous! 3y

Megabooks Fantastic review! This sounds like a very meaningful book. What a beautiful garden, too. 3y

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Thanks. It‘s an important book I think. The garden is my parents‘! How‘s Molly?! 3y

Megabooks She‘s good. I‘m exhausted!! I usually walk around 3 miles a day, and I had already hit that by 1 PM! She‘s very energetic! She loves being outside, even when it‘s 95 F! She also does not like baths. At all. On the upside, she smells better! 😂 She‘s also stuck like glue to me, which I love. She follows me everywhere and comes when she‘s called. Really fantastic day 2! 3y

Megabooks Thanks for asking!! 💜💜 3y

BarbaraBB @Megabooks This sounds so good!! She stucks like glue to you, that is too cute! It‘s her first day and she has already accepted you, wow. And she listens. She sounds like a dream - except for all her energy 🤣 3y

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TrishB

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

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Some books you just read to learn and this was one of those. We can‘t address anything without dialogue though can we, no matter how big or small. My thoughts with those brave enough to step forward and try and start that dialogue, no matter how painful and I can totally see how painful it is 💔

squirrelbrain Sounds like a wonderful book - stacked. 4y

BarbaraBB This will be my choice for Palestine in #ReadingAsia2021 4y

TrishB @BarbaraBB it was interesting to hear thoughts from both sides of the narrative. 4y

TrishB @squirrelbrain I learned a lot. 4y

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TrishB

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

#bookmail #blameitonlitsy
2 supposedly used hardbacks, less than (c8 for the two, neither look like they‘ve been read.

Cinfhen

LeahBergen Well, that‘s a good deal! 4y

Caroline2 Good book haul. 👍 did you use The Hive?? 4y

Cathythoughts Nice one 👍🏻❤️The Cover on The Space .. is lovely 4y

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Cinfhen Fabulous haul!! Two excellent books ~ can‘t wait to hear your thoughts on each of them. Just as a heads-up my copy of Letters has responses from Palestine neighbors ( which was really interesting to see/ read their thoughts) I was moved and maybe a little disheartened because each “side” pleads so passionately for what they believe is theirs. It‘s a VERY complicated situation. I thought this was a really educational but comprehensible lesson. 4y

TrishB @Cinfhen mine has the responses in too- I noted that in your review and made sure I got that one. I‘m looking to learn 👍🏻 4y

TrishB @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts very pleased 👍🏻 4y

TrishB @Caroline2 world of books 👍🏻 4y

Cinfhen Oh Good!!!! That‘s wonderful 🙌🏻💕 4y

TheBookHippie Wow ! They both sound very good too! 4y

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BarbaraBB

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

Cindy look what arrived today (within the month 😉). I was blown away by so many books and gifts and they do look wonderful. All of them. You know me so well! I really don‘t know how to thank you enough for your friendship and this amazing surprise! ❤️😘

Cinfhen

Kalalalatja How lovely ❤️ 4y

vivastory What a wonderful surprise!! 4y

Cinfhen Yay! There‘s still hope for your package @Kalalalatja 4y

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Cinfhen And YOU totally spoil me, barbara. I was just returning the love ❤️ 4y

LeahBergen Lovely!! 💗💗 4y

Kalalalatja @Cinfhen 🤞🤞🤞 4y

Megabooks How nice!! Enjoy The Knockout Queen!! 💜💜 4y

batsy How lovely 💕 4y

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rockpools

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

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This is a book I‘m very grateful to have read. Halevi writes as an Israeli Jew wanting to open up a dialogue with his Palestinian neighbours, putting his beliefs and the story of his homeland out there, whilst recognising that the Palestinian narrative is very different. 👇

rockpools I learnt a lot. And, especially right now, his approach seems important - wanting to listen, wanting to find commonalities, appreciating that there is more than one narrative. The last part of the book is from #anotherpointofview, letters from Palestinian readers in response to his book.

#nonfiction2019 5y

Cinfhen I thought this book was a great starting point and a clear, concise easy to comprehend approach to the Israel/Palestine conflict. I dislike the word conflict because it‘s SO MUCH MORE than a political war/ it‘s about identity and Homeland to two peoples. 5y

squirrelbrain Sounds very interesting and thought-provoking... 5y

rockpools @Cinfhen It really was. Coming at it with virtually no background knowledge, it was very readable (and short 😉), but covered so much ground. I think I already had it on my tbr when you posted the other week, but it finally prompted me to read it. 5y

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Cinfhen

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

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On the eve of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, when millions of Jews from around the world gather in Synagogues to pray, I thought this was an apt time to read this book. I found his letters open, compelling, compassionate & inline with my own feelings & beliefs. There is A LOT that can be learned in these pages. Equally important were the responses from our Palestinian neighbors. 👇🏽

Cinfhen Unfortunately, I felt disheartened as it seems based on the responses that both sides are so embedded emotionally and wholeheartedly to their own narratives that it seems unlikely either “side” can find an acceptable solution. Not for lack of wanting but for fear of betraying what each feels is their history and core belief system. I still pray we find a way to live side by side as neighbors, free from worry, oppression and fear of war. 5y

TrishB Nearly brought this yesterday. Seems really interesting. Peace is still an ideal worth wishing for 💜 5y

Libby1 💜 5y

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alisiakae 💜💜💜 5y

Cinfhen I actually think this book is the most concise and well written approach to “understanding” the “conflict” @TrishB @Libby1 @4thhouseontheleft and one worth reading! And credit to the author who has provided this book translated into Arabic for free via his website as an instant download to anyone who wishes to read it ( in Arabic) 5y

Librarybelle 💜💜💜 5y

Cathythoughts Beautiful picture ♥️ 5y

Crazeedi Beautiful review and I pray the same for my fellow travelers in your country and around the world. 5y

Cinfhen Thanks so much @Crazeedi 🕊😘and thank you @Cathythoughts @Librarybelle 🍎❤️🍎 5y

Reviewsbylola L‘shana tova Cindy!! 5y

Cinfhen Thanks my dear friend @Reviewsbylola 💟 5y

BarbaraBB This sounds like a poignant read. I so wish it will he possible one day to live in peace and respect one another 5y

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Cinfhen

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

While I was shopping for shoes my hubby stumbled upon a book store. He bought 3 books!!! I think he‘s been Litsyfied 😂Two of his books are #chunksters 📚📚of course I couldn‘t let him be the only one to buy a book...I got one too ( and a new pair of shoes 😉) Can you guess which book was my choice???

Crazeedi Letters , the top one! 6y

Cinfhen 👍🏽 @Crazeedi 💗 6y

Cinfhen What I like about my copy is it‘s the revised edition. It contains responses from Palestinians who share their own dialogue and beliefs. Should be fascinating 6y

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Dolly They all look good to me and congratulations on a mate who‘s literate. I wasn‘t so lucky. 😏 6y

Crazeedi @Dolly I agree they all look good ! 6y

Cinfhen Thanks @Dolly 😂 🙏 6y

DivineDiana Does that say colehaan.com??? And what book store did you discover, pray tell? 6y

Cinfhen This was actually in NJ last week 🤫but I never posted the book/ shoe haul @DivineDiana 🤭sorry I can‘t share a local discovery with you 😘 6y

DivineDiana Glad you found one! At first, I thought that the shoebox was a book spine and colehaan.com was the name of the book! 😂 6y

MicheleinPhilly We‘re going book shopping tomorrow. I‘m taking you to Shakespeare & Co. 😉 6y

Cinfhen Really??? @MicheleinPhilly we‘re flying to Paris 🙌🏻❤️I didn‘t know Philly has a Shakespeare & Co !!!!! I‘m sooooooooo excited 😃😃😃😃😃😃 6y

MicheleinPhilly It‘s AMAZING! I ❤️ it! 6y

Cinfhen Tomorrow is gonna be #Epic 😘 @MicheleinPhilly 6y

Cinfhen I better get cash @MicheleinPhilly 😜 6y

Cinfhen I just Googled the store @MicheleinPhilly looks UH.MAY.ZING 6y

MicheleinPhilly It is! Blowing my paycheck for sure. 👌🏼 6y

BarbaraBB That was easy, the upper one! Also, I envy you and @MicheleinPhilly ! Have fun & lots of books! 6y

Cinfhen Thanks @BarbaraBB hopefully we‘ll get our do-over real soon xx Too bad you‘re US road trip didn‘t pass through Philly 😢 6y

TrishB Enjoy your day ❤️ I have been looking at that letters book! 6y

Cinfhen Thanks @TrishB wish you were joining us♥️ 6y

BarbaraBB All the Rivers makes me want to revisit Israel too so maybe I‘ll plan a trip next year 🤞😘 (edited) 6y

Reviewsbylola Def knew it was the top book! Your husband is too funny. 6y

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Tove_Reads

Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor | Yossi Klein Halevi

Starting the week with some light listening 👀🤔🧐

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