The walls of the tiny Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem are lined with thousands of books about the Israel/Palestine issue. Most are sympathetic to the Palestinian view, but they also include dozens of books by important Israeli/Zionist authors. Entering the bookshop is an overwhelming intellectual experience. Its easy to spend hours browsing, and many do. But OFIP has prepared a short list of a dozen books that will help anyone navigate the tricky waters. See our list.

CTIP visited the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem last April and spoke to Mahmoud Muna, one of the co-owners about Israeli attempts to intimidate them. Mahmoud explained that they had been raided by Israeli police twice in the last few months, in which books were trashed and he and his nephew were arrested on suspicion of “disturbing public order” — a common practice in cases related to freedom of expression – and held incommunicado for two days.

Israeli police alleged “incitement to violence” through books, including titles featuring Palestinian themes and imagery, sparking widespread condemnation as an assault on Palestinian culture and free speech.

Authorities confiscated hundreds of books, throwing them into bins, and banned the booksellers from their shops, though most books were later returned, with some key titles held back.

Supporters and human rights groups denounced the raids as political persecution and censorship, with some noting the books were also available in Israel’s National Library. After being detained and questioned for two days, the owners remain confused about the reason for their detention in shocking and inhumane conditions reported J-Space Canada.

I will go back to the Educational Bookshop next time I am in Jerusalem, not only for the books, but also because it has a cozy cafe upstairs. But for CTIP subscribers who aren’t likely to go to Jerusalem any time soon and are interested in learning more about the Israel/Palestine issue, I have prepared this list of resources.

NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS

I had intended to get this list out to CTIP subscribers before Christmas 2025, but, well, I just didn’t. But this list of 12 books and some digital material, is a good place to start. It includes some books written by well known Israeli writers, not so much for “balance” as allow the reader to better understand the Israeli/Zionist viewpoint. All of them are available at at your local library or favorite book store in Canada. If they aren’t available, why not suggest they acquire a couple of copies.

This list is by no means exhaustive. I invite readers to suggest other books in the “comments” section.

Canada Talks Israel Palestine is the weekly newsletter of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion about Canada’s response to the Israel/Palestine issue. Readers with different points of view are invited to make comment.
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