The book’s narrative is firmly rooted in the politics of Palestinian liberation. Here is a necessary introduction to the heroic efforts of the Palestinian people to achieve justice in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
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In the early morning hours of May 31, 2010, Israeli naval forces carried out a raid and attack on a Gaza aid convoy. "The Gaza Freedom Flotilla massacre was an act of piracy and mass murder carried out in international waters. Carried out by heavily armed Israeli commandos, it was the latest in a long string of massacres stretching back over more than six decades: Deir Yassin, Qantara and many others in 1948, Qibya in 1953, Gaza in 1956 and again in 1970, Sabra and Shatila in 1982, Cana, Lebanon in 1995, Jenin in 2002, Gaza yet again in 2008-09. "It is no exaggeration to say that Israel is a state built on massacres. Without massacres there would be no Israeli state. The leaders and supporters of Israel claim in their official propaganda that, 'Israel wants peace but cannot find a partner for peace.' If anyone believes that then they can also believe the line that the heavily armed commandos who attacked the flotilla on the high seas, killing nine people, wounding dozens more and brutalizing hundreds were not the aggressors but the 'victims.' "The real aim of Israel’s founders and leaders over the past 62 years has been the driving out and destruction of the Palestinian people as a people. There is a name for this policy: genocide. It was the same policy of extermination against the indigenous people on this continent that paved the way for the establishment of the United States. "Israel’s actions would not be possible without the vast military, economic and diplomatic support it has received and continues to receive from the United States. But that does not mean that the U.S. and Israeli ruling establishments have exactly the same aims. "The New York Times, in its lead story of June 3, stated in the opening sentence that the continuing blockade of Gaza is untenable. But what neither the Times nor the other corporate media will ever say and what we must know is that what has made it untenable is the people’s struggle. " |
Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire provides a sharp analysis of historic and current events in the struggle for Palestine—from the division of the Middle East by Western powers and the Zionist settler movement, to the founding of Israel and its regional role as a watchdog for U.S. interests, to present-day conflicts and the prospects for a just resolution. 
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“Becker gives us the most sharply focused and penetrating analysis we have of the real dynamics at work in the continuing persecution of the Palestinian people. He calls for international unity among all people to end this tragic injustice. Hear his call and join in the struggle.” Read more... —Ramsey Clark, former U.S. attorney general, former litigation attorney for the Palestine Liberation Organization "Becker foregrounds what others usually set aside: the integral role of U.S. imperialism, with the Zionist State as an essential partner. His approach connects the Palestinian struggle with a universal perspective, which gives the people dignity and strength.” Read more... —Joel Kovel, author, “Overcoming Zionism” “A must-read
for anyone seeking to understand the Palestinian cause.” —Samera Sood, executive board, Palestinian American Women’s Association “Becker's book provides clarity about the injustices that Palestinians have courageously resisted, and why we must end the last vestiges of colonialism in the 21st century.” Read more... —Imam Mahdi Bray,
executive director, "Finally, a breath of fresh air, and analysis, on the question of Palestine... This is a must read for anyone interested in the U.S. geo-political project and in understanding Palestine. Read more... —Dr.
Jess Ghannam, professor, |