Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth
Israel: A Simple Guide To The Most Misunderstood Country On Earth is a factual work authored by Israeli actress and activist Noa Tishby. The book delves into the history and political tensions of the Middle East, centering on Israel, while incorporating autobiographical insights such as Tishby's journey toward Zionist advocacy and her family's involvement in the founding of Israel.
Content
Tishby opens by describing her early passion for the performing arts, which continued during her tenure with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where she performed for soldiers. This period served as a springboard for her subsequent acting career in Hollywood.
Her engagement in activism was ignited by the digital narratives surrounding the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, prompting her to establish the advocacy organization Act for Israel. She stresses that Israel stands as the sole continuous democracy within the Middle East since its inception by the United Nations in 1948.
Rejecting assertions that Israel functions as a "colonist state," Tishby describes it instead as a "refugee state" liberated from British colonial rule. She disputes characterization of Israel as an "apartheid state," noting that one of Israel’s largest political parties is Arab and that all citizens enjoy equal legal protections. Additionally, she challenges claims that Palestinians are descendants of biblical Philistines, citing a lack of historical or archaeological backing, while affirming an unbroken Jewish heritage.
While Palestinians today represent a proud nation, the origins of the conflict are not as ancient as often portrayed.
Tishby portrays the Israeli-Palestinian dispute as a confrontation between Israel’s roughly 9 million inhabitants and "the entire Arab world," consisting of about 423 million people.
She examines geopolitical developments in the Middle East prior to World War I, including key events such as the Hussein-McMahon Correspondence, the Balfour Declaration, and their supersession by the clandestine Sykes–Picot Agreement.
Beyond political commentary, Tishby shares personal history by recounting her grandmother Fania’s pioneering role in founding Israel's inaugural kibbutz, Degania Alef, and outlines Zionism’s transformation from its socialist roots to a society balancing capitalist and religious elements.
Tishby also spotlights her grandfather Hanan Yavor’s diplomatic achievements as Israel’s first ambassador to West Africa, where he played a crucial role in fostering Israel-Africa relations.
Boycott, Divestment; Sanctions (BDS)
In the section titled "BDS," Tishby offers a critical examination of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign. While acknowledging its declared objectives of securing "freedom, justice, and equality" for Palestinians, she contends that BDS is neither peaceful nor constructive. According to Tishby, the movement fails to present practical pathways toward peace and distorts information to fuel anti-Israel and anti-Jewish attitudes, particularly on college campuses in the United States. She cites Palestinian journalist Khaled Abu Toameh to illustrate how BDS negatively impacts the Palestinian economy while bolstering a corrupt leadership indifferent to its citizens’ welfare.
Tishby further alleges that BDS operates with unclear funding sources and hints at possible links between some of its leaders and Hamas affiliates, though she refrains from making definitive claims. The chapter ends with an appeal for greater openness regarding the movement's financial and operational transparency.
In her concluding chapter, Tishby responds to prevalent criticisms directed at Israel, underscoring its commitment to peace and advocating for the creation of a "New Middle East" aimed at benefiting future generations.
Reception
Israel: A Simple Guide To The Most Misunderstood Country On Earth secured a spot on the New York Times paperback bestseller list in October 2023. The Jerusalem Post commended Tishby’s thoroughly researched summary, remarking that it offers new insights even for those well-versed in Jewish history. In May 2021, Amazon listed the book as the leading bestseller in categories such as Middle Eastern Politics, Historical Middle East Biographies, and Israel & Palestine History. The Jewish Book Council praised Tishby’s dynamic approach to presenting crucial topics, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced advocates. Although The Jerusalem Post observed that the book’s liberal Zionist perspective tends to minimize the Jewish historical ties to their ancestral land, it still recognized the publication as an important resource for young adults and readers with an open mind interested in contemporary Israel.
On the other hand, The Guardian criticized Tishby for perpetuating stereotypes about Palestinians and Arabs and for a lack of thorough engagement with Palestinian perspectives, noting that while she celebrates Jewish refugeedom, she seldom addresses Palestinian identity or historical context.