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Josh Ruebner. Israel: Democracy or Apartheid State. (Northampton, MA: Olive Branch Press, 2017). Pp. 120. $15 paper. IBSN 9781566560290.

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Josh Ruebner. Israel: Democracy or Apartheid State. (Northampton, MA: Olive Branch Press, 2017). Pp. 120. $15 paper. IBSN 9781566560290.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 July 2021

Sobechukwu Uwajeh*
Affiliation:
Claremont McKenna College
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Abstract

Type
Briefly Noted
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Middle East Studies Association of North America, Inc.

In Israel: Democracy or Apartheid State, Josh Ruebner makes the argument that Israel currently exists as an apartheid state. The book opens by giving insight into the lifestyle and economy of modern Israel. Ruebner then provides readers with a comprehensive history of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, while seamlessly adding information on “the diverse and fractious” sociopolitical landscape of present-day Israel. He dives into everything from the roots of Zionism, Plan D, and the evolution of the Palestine Liberation Organization, to the long-winded peace process and boycotts sponsored by the United States. The author also includes a series of photos, charts, and additional facts to further inform his readers. Ruebner wraps up the book by answering a question that many politicians and historians have strayed away from: Is Israel an apartheid state? Among governments and international organizations, use of the term “apartheid” is often limited to describing pre-1994 South Africa. Its formal definition means the exclusion of a group of people from social, economic, and cultural practices. The facts and information presented in Reubner's book support his argument that Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people indeed qualifies it as an apartheid state.