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This blog post is going to be different from my usual ones, though this topic has been on my mind since Simchas Torah, or, as it has become known, October 7th.

In the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attack, there was no time to think. We were busy praying, running to the shelter during sirens, checking on all the children, praying some more, checking on neighbors and friends, praying some more, stocking up on food, drink, and batteries, praying some more, and doing what we could to help out our soldiers and the evacuees from the north and south.

But the question that remained somewhere in the back of my mind, especially as the extent of the atrocities slowly came to light, was: why do they hate us so much? Where the meaning of “they” slowly expanded to include not only Hamas, but “Gazan civilians,” then West Bank Arabs, then East Jerusalem residents, then pro-Hamas demonstrators on the streets of London, New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

To answer this question, I’ve read books and articles, listened to podcasts and interviews, interviewed Arab converts to Judaism, and more. I have more to say, and more written that has not yet been published, but for now, I’d like to share a list of the top 5 books that helped me understand the history of the “Israeli-Palestinian” conflict.

Disclaimer: I do not agree with all the opinions expressed in these books. In fact, I strongly disagree with some. But all together, they provide a rounded picture of where we are at this moment in history and how we got there.

(Note: these are affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.)

The Palestinian Delusion: The Catastrophic History of the Middle East Peace Process by Robert Spencer
Can “The Whole World” Be Wrong?: Lethal Journalism, Antisemitism, and Global Jihad by Richard Landes
Defending Israel: The Story of My Relationship with My Most Challenging Client by Alan M. Dershowitz
Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices by Mosab Hassan Yousef
Catch The Jew!: Eye-opening education – You will never look at Israel the same way again by Tuvia Tenenbom (Note: not all parts of the book are necessarily appropriate for a religious Jewish audience, but the information the amazingly daring author gathered by infiltrating the Palestinian Authority areas and other places in Israel is invaluable.)

If you read these books, you might come to the conclusion that we live in an upside-down world. But it’s the eve of Purim, with its inherent potential to turn everything around. May we see total and complete victory over evil, over those who try to destroy us in every generation, and may we merit the final redemption, when only good and the knowledge of G-d will fill the whole world!

Happy Purim!