Side by Side: Parallel Histories of Israel Palestine Edited by Dan Bar-On, Sami Adwan, Eyal Naveh

Review by Abbi North

The short: A new approach towards studying the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict through duel narratives, represented side by side on the book’s pages. 

The long: Developed by Israeli and Palestinian teachers through the Peace Research Institute, this inventive textbook provides an accessible opportunity for students to engage with Israel-Palestine. Starting with the 1917 Balfour Declaration and through the Second Intifada, the book juxtaposes two historical interpretations, often conflicting, of the various pivotal events in the region throughout the 20th Century. Especially poignant is the variation in language, both in the identification of wars and massacres but also in the tone of diplomacy and peace-making. 

To read or not to read: If you are at all interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it’s a definite read. You’ll finish the book with a renewed appreciation for the complexity of reparations and solution making.