The General's Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine

I first saw these words some decades ago on a poster outside a Quaker Meeting House. Miko Peled writes compellingly about his own personal journey from Zionist to Anti-Zionist. The journey was not an easy one so expect to shed quite a few tears along the way - for both Israelis and Palestinians. Personal reminiscences about individuals and situations bring the story to life, or rather, to death and then to life. For Peled is optimistic about the future.Since the founding of Israel in 1948, hawks on each side have fed off each other. Both sides have committed appalling atrocities. Each side has accused the other of racism and each side has been guilty of this charge. However, the ever-victorious Israelis have used their growing power to marginalise the Palestinian element of their shared land. Today any two state solution would bear little resemblance to the Partition proposed by the UN in 1948. Which is why Peled has rejected his father's earlier hope for such a solution and now favours a one state solution. The peace movement of which he is a leading figure sees Jews and Arabs coming together to overcome mutually entrenched fear and hatred. Embracing non-violence, shared grief on both sides has become the basis for stripping away 'otherness' and embracing their common humanity.Peled's narrative is strongest when he describes his first (defenceless) journeys into Palestinian territory and his meetings with Palestinian leaders who had spent time in Israeli prisons on 'terrorism' charges. His fear -and courage - are palpable. But he has reaped rich rewards with many new Arab friends and a loss of this fear - which is inculcated into Israelis from birth. His children have made similar gains. Now he regards the Israeli state as his main foe because of the various obstacles it puts in the way of such Israeli-Palestinian fraternisation. His (illegal) forays into the West Bank and Gaza conjure up memories of apartheid Pass Laws and Russian internal passports of former times. Israel controls the movement of its own citizens for their security but the result is an unofficial segregation - not everywhere of course!Like many/most (?) Israelis, Peled is a completely secular Jew but he can relate to the Orthodox - especially those who believe that the modern Israeli state lacks Biblical sanction. He can likewise relate to both secular and religious Arabs and compares the social conservatism of Palestinian society with that of the mainstream secular Israeli Jew. Peled has lived and travelled widely outside Israel and this cosmopolitanism has helped him to break out from his own culture to tread his present path. But he still loves his people. This again is palpable, despite the derision poured on his head by Zionist opponents who ask him why he still keeps his Israeli passport. His predicament reminds me of those thousands of German exiles (many Jewish) who during WW2 joined the French Resistance or fought in the British Forces. This is just as much an ideological struggle as was WW2. Fortunately he does not have to kill people. But he is in danger of making himself an exile in his own country in solidarity with his Palestinian comrades who have become exiles in their own land.I wish Miko Peled and his movement well. I too have long favoured a one state solution. However, any resolution to this 70-year conflict will require more than just good will. Israeli security fears and disputed land ownership will be hard nuts to crack. A great deal of vested interest on the Israeli side (the side with all the power) will have to be overcome. An excellent read. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this book. it describes Miko Peled's personal journey from being ardent zionist to a pacifist. Highly recommend

A fascinating story, mind-changing. A must read for anyone who aspires to a peaceful world.

Very good, and clearly a tolerable view of a whole hearted non racial individual in a society that has built racial intolerance. It's a well thought of book.

Through this book I gained a unique and honest insight into what is a very complicated and tragic story. This book is from the heart. Thank the Heavens that men such as Miko have seen the light, probably causing great pain to him and his loved ones. May his ripples will spread far and wide, may the Palestinians and the Israeli's find peace, both with each other as well as themselves.

Those who have absorbed the Christian Zionist narrative as part of their personal creed - that the Christian church should support Israel without too much examination of its policies towards its Arab population - should read this book and re-examine the validity (and scriptural accuracy) of much of what they have been taught.Peled, at the centre of Israeli politics for his entire life, has more authority than many supposed "Bible teachers" to speak about what is really happening, and his personal journey has led to his work for peace and reconciliation. This is a valuable contribution to the debate on the Middle East, which has suffered greatly from the promotion of violent solutions by those on all sides - including, unfortunately, many self-declared Christians who don't have to deal directly with the results of their misplaced interference. Blessed are the peacemakers.

Couldn't put this book down. Opened my eyes to the way the Palestine people have been treated.loved Miko's honestly and the heart he has to see things brought into the light

Not biased and very sincere. it takes a man of integrity and true courage to be impartial and admit the crimes his people committed and still committing(ethnic cleansing) on the Palestinian people.

I read this book after listening to a speech by Miko Peled on YouTube and I am so glad I did. This book gives a great perspective into the history of the colonization and occupation of Palestine with a personals stories and insights. Great read.

A great perspective to consider.

A must read for the ones interested in the Palestine issue. The book is truly about a life journey from childhood to adulthood in which the author describes his father important role as a military man on the creation of the Israeli state in 1948 and in the 1967 invasion of West Bank and Gaza, who then started to advocate towards the two-state solution. Packed with documental references and personal experiences in Israel, the author lets you gradually understand his shift to a more radical and pacifist approach to address the dramatic problems faced by disposed Palestinians living by a Jewish-ruled state order.

Miko managed to walk us through his journey away from Zionism towards Humanity and during the current state of my white friends’ silence while Gaza is being bombed to rubble, this account still gives me hope that a single, secular democratic state with all religious, non-religious entities as equals is possible, where people will be able to look eye to eye as humans, respect each other and work towards a common goal of peace and prosperity.

Excellent livre sur la vie d’un homme issue dune grande famille juive israélienne qui va faire un voyage de remise en question total des myth fondateur de son pays et va consacrer sa vie à se battre pour la justice et le droit des palestiniens. Un très grand homme ce Miko Peled. Un livre à lire absolument ! MUST READ BOOK. Miko Peled is absolutely admirable.