PODCAST: An Israeli Perspective with Benny Morris

By Dan Snow’s History Hit | Listen | 25m
Published in May of 2021

SUMMARY: Israeli historian Benny Morris provides an Israeli viewpoint on the longstanding conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Morris delves into the origins and evolution of the conflict since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, discussing the foundational principles of Zionism and the demographic challenges that have influenced the region’s history. He examines the complex nature of the conflict, addressing the deep-seated emotions and opinions it evokes on all sides. Throughout the conversation, Morris explores the numerous obstacles to achieving a resolution, considering whether a solution is attainable or if the conflict remains intractable.

KEY QUOTE: “I don’t see a way out. I don’t see Israel conceding so much in territory and demography as to make itself insecure in exchange for a peace that they don’t believe will last. I don’t see Israeli’s making such concessions as the Palestinians could agree to them – the right to return, etc. And I don’t see the Palestinians agreeing to Israel retaining like something like 80-percent of the land mass of Palestine…There is no basis for compromise now and I don’t think they are going to get any better in the decades to come.”

More curated media on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict:

MOVIE: With God on Our Side

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PODCAST: A Palestinian View with Yara Hawari

Dr. Yara Hawari, a senior policy analyst at the Palestinian think tank Al-Shabaka, delves into the intricate history of the Israel-Palestine conflict from a Palestinian perspective. She emphasizes the significance of understanding the historical context, particularly from the end of the British Mandate in 1948 to the present day, to grasp the roots and evolution…

ARTICLE: The Rescuers

Despite the seemingly insurmountable conflict between Israel and Palestine, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman sheds light on the intricate, compassionate narratives of Arab Israelis, Jaffa Palestinian refugees, and Israeli Jewish individuals collaborating for peace.