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Uncivil War: The Israel Conflict in the Jewish Community

Diaspora Jews are no longer unified in their support for Israel.

The author explores the causes of the conflicts and describes his own innovative efforts at conflict resolution. Analysing the various groupings –  left, right, secular and religious, pro and anti-Zionist – in Britain and the USA, Keith Kahn-Harris looks at the history of civility in society and examines the different methods used by international organisations and groups involved in developing dialogue within Jewish communities

He describes how using these techniques and with expert help, he brought together more than seventy prominent diverse British Jews for a series of encounters. He concludes that dialogue and civility is possible. But with no change in behaviour there will be serious consequences for the Jewish communities of the world.

Listen to this interview for more information about the book:

Book cover of Uncivil War: The Israel Conflict in the Jewish Community

Formats available: Hardback, paperback

First Published: March 3, 2014

Publisher: David Paul Books

Reviews for Uncivil War: The Israel Conflict in the Jewish Community

"The relationship between Anglo-Jewry and Israel is perilous, complex terrain – and there are few better placed to navigate it than Keith Kahn-Harris."

Jonathan Freedland

A masterful and thoughtful analysis of the various existing positions of Jews and Israel advocates on Israel. This book might just give us the language, the insights – and the pause – for us to do something a little more sensible, before it’s, stupidly, too late.

Clive Lawton

I applaud Keith Kahn-Harris for having the courage to examine this vexatious debate in his richly textured book.

Gabrielle Rifkind, conflict resolution specialist

Kahn-Harris’s book is thoughtful and thought
provoking. Beyond its obvious relevance to Anglo Jewry, it will also be of
interest to other Diaspora Jewish communities.

Kahn-Harris is surely right about the need for more courtesy and less point-scoring and aggressiveness in the debate and for all sides to understand each other better – and this book will surely help with this understanding.

Between 2009 and 2011, the sociologist Keith Kahn-Harris hosted more than a dozen dinner parties at his London home that were more than just social occasions; they were intended as an experiment in dialogue.
Disturbed by the overheated tone of the debate over Israel within British Jewry, he brought representatives of different viewpoints around the table not to try to get them to agree, but to see if they at least could treat their opponents with respect.

This book overflows with good intentions, but as the Oslo process of
the 1990s indicated, it is only a meaningful peace which will soothe the savage Jewish breast.