Clash of Identities

Shortly before his death, Israeli sociologist Baruch Kimmerling compiled a book of his best essays spanning his entire academic career.

Kimmerling was simply one of the best writers on the Middle East that there is. He was not afraid to break taboos and shatter myths. For example, he advocated  scrapping the Israeli flag and the national anthem because they were specifically Jewish in their content and inherently excluded the Arab citizens of Israel who comprise approximately 20% of the population.  He also proposed  a peace plan that combined the best features of both the one-state and two-state solutions.

He rarely criticized the Palestinians. "In general I never criticize the other side.It is too easy," he once wrote me. Instead, he examined the policies of his own country and criticized them fearlessly. His critics accused him of being anti-Israel but in fact, he loved his country the way I, a dissident American, love mine.  In this way, he is a model for all people who love their land, their language, and their culture and yet disagree with the policies of their government.