Review of Ilan PAPPÉ (2024): Breve historia del conflicto entre Israel y Palestina, Capitán Swing Libros, Madrid, 128 pages

Abstract

In the wake of renewed global attention on Palestine after October 7, 2023, Breve historia del conflicto entre Israel y Palestina by Ilan Pappé provides a concise yet rigorous historical overview. The book reframes the so-called conflict as a settler-colonial project, detailing over a century of dispossession, resistance, and impunity. While Pappé denounces Zionist violence, his rejection of armed resistance reveals the limits of his anti-colonial stance. Grounded in international law, his analysis challenges dominant narratives but stops short of endorsing full decolonization. This review critically examines Pappé’s ambiguous positions on genocide, resistance, and the legitimacy of the Israeli state.