Ghosts of a Holy War is a devastating read. But how could a history of the last hundred years of Arab-Israeli relations be anything else? You’ll read, in detail, the worst that human beings have done to one anther while receiving some measure of hope from people—both Arab and Israeli—who have sought to stop the cycle of violence.

Yardina Schwartz roots the current antipathy between Israelis and Palestinians in the 1929 Hebron Massacre. This was the first mass casualty event between Arabs and the Jewish people. The current situation of Hebron is traced back to this slaughter.

During the writing of this book, the October 7 massacre occurred. Schwartz’s careful journalism and balanced approach demonstrates that October 7 was not an aberration, but the consequence of religion, politics, and generational trauma.

This is a book about memory, and the political, religious, and emotional forces sustained by trauma. It is a story of tragedy and triumph, and a nation haunted by Grief. Zoom in and this is a story of two nations that so deeply treasure this land, that they are willing to die for it. Zoom out and it is the story of how one day can change the trajectory of history. (14–15)

Yossi Klein Halevi endorsed the book by saying, “If you are going to read one book to help you understand the current Middle East tragedy, this is it.” I couldn’t agree more. In an age where social media ‘news’ quickly bifurcates the population into sides and causes to support, long-form truth telling is more essential than ever.

Schwartz, Yardena. Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre in Palestine That Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Union Square & Co., 2024.