Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs Season 4, Episode 10: Ilan Pappè, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic & A Very Short History of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Jun 3, 2025
Ilan Pappè, a renowned historian at Exeter University specializing in the Israel-Palestine conflict, joins for a thought-provoking discussion. They scrutinize the historical roots of Zionism and its separation from Judaism. Pappè highlights the impact of British colonialism and the U.S. role since the UN Partition Plan. The conversation delves into the complexities of lobbying networks on both sides of the Atlantic and reflects on how historical alliances have shaped modern tensions, challenging listeners to consider the implications for peace efforts today.
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Episode notes
Zionism's Christian Origins
- Zionism is an ideology distinct from Judaism, initially a minority Jewish interpretation influenced by early 19th-century evangelical Christian Zionist ideas.
- Christian Zionists hoped Jewish return to Palestine would fulfill biblical prophecy, unrelated to addressing anti-Semitism.
Early Zionist View of Palestinians
- Early Zionists recognized Palestine was inhabited but considered Palestinians incapable of national ambitions like theirs.
- They believed either Palestinians would migrate or remain without challenging the Jewish nationalist project.
Settler Colonialism Shapes Zionism
- British and American settler colonialism drew on racist ideologies that justified displacing indigenous peoples by deeming them less than fully human.
- This deeply influenced Zionist settler colonial attitudes towards Palestinians as inferior and their land as open for takeover.