Friendly Fire

How Israel Became Its Own Worst Enemy and the Hope for Its Future

De: Ami Ayalon, Dennis Ross - introduction

Narrado por: Rich Miller

FINALIST -- The National Jewish Book Award

In this deeply personal journey of discovery, Ami Ayalon seeks input and perspective from Palestinians and Israelis whose experiences differ from his own. As head of the Shin Bet security agency, he gained empathy for "the enemy" and learned that when Israel carries out anti-terrorist operations in a political context of hopelessness, the Palestinian public will support violence, because they have nothing to lose. Researching and writing Friendly Fire, he came to understand that his patriotic life had blinded him to the self-defeating nature of policies that have undermined Israel's civil society while heaping humiliation upon its Palestinian neighbors. "If Israel becomes an Orwellian dystopia," Ayalon writes, "it won't be thanks to a handful of theologians dragging us into the dark past. The secular majority will lead us there motivated by fear and propelled by silence." Ayalon is a realist, not an idealist, and many who consider themselves Zionists will regard as radical his conclusions about what Israel must do to achieve relative peace and security and to sustain itself as a Jewish homeland and a liberal democracy.

Must read. A soldiers perspective is better than a politician.

In such a complex conflict, let’s listen more to soldiers than to politicians. The former know the cost of war. The latter just want to stay in power. Ami is brave and humaine.

Insightful and fair-minded

This book was a revelation: captivating, balanced and clear-sighted about the present and the future.

Getting in touch with reality

I have appreciated this book for uncovering a logical path from Zionism to reality. Infusing a stark logic to the need to let our humanity drive our politics rather than fear. Even if here and there there may be embellishments, I don’t find them distracting. I sense a guarded optimism for Israel future given that this utopian Prime minister Ami described, will be elected and supported to bring us back to our”promised land”. I am haunted though by the saying ( paraphrase) “ , who that controls the narrative of the present will control the future “,

There is hope

I loved the author’s journey from being convinced that he held the truth, to understanding the point of view of his adversaries, without giving up what is important for Israel.

A surprisingly understandable book over a complex subject.

I am new to this field of history so I was happy not to have hours and hours of all the different six day wars that happened. The book didn’t waste time and I feel I have gained a lot of knowledge.