Year Zero of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (with Hillel Cohen)

Hebron Massacre

The 1929 Hebron Massacre is a critical event in the Arab-Israeli conflict, often referred to as 'year zero' by Hillel Cohen. He explains that the Jewish narrative views Zionism as a peaceful movement, aiming to coexist with Arabs, but tensions escalated due to increasing Jewish settlements and rumors about the Temple Mount 1. This culminated in widespread violence, with 133 Jews killed, including 66 in Hebron alone 2. Hillel Cohen notes the parallels between these events and recent conflicts, highlighting the persistent cycle of violence 3.

The attacks of October 7 from Hamas coming out of Gaza were called the Alaqsa flood, and it was a reference to the claim that Jews wanted to destroy the Alaska mosque today. So this is a very old story.

--- Russ Roberts

The massacre's legacy continues to shape narratives and tensions in the region.

   

Narrative Complexity

Hillel Cohen emphasizes the complexity of historical narratives, where different perspectives lead to varied truths. He acknowledges the challenge of presenting a balanced view, as personal biases often influence historical interpretation 4. Russ Roberts highlights the frustration of conflicting narratives, noting that while Israelis often recognize multiple perspectives, similar empathy is less visible from the Palestinian side due to political constraints 5.

The first principle is you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.

--- Richard Feynman

Cohen's work strives to bridge these divides by presenting a multidimensional narrative that includes both saviors and perpetrators.

   

Historical Revelations

Surprising revelations about historical events challenge established narratives, as Hillel Cohen discovered during his research. He found evidence of Jewish violence against Arabs, which was unexpected for him but not for Palestinians familiar with such stories 6. This highlights the differing perceptions of history between the two groups. Russ Roberts discusses the modern-day implications of these narratives, noting the ongoing struggle for moral high ground in conflicts like those on October 7 7.

It was clear this is why I was not optimistic before. And now the question is whether both Palestinian and Israel, with maybe the help of the international community, would feel that we reached the level of bloodshed that we can now try to find another way to live together.

--- Hillel Cohen

Cohen's findings urge a reevaluation of historical events to foster understanding and potentially pave the way for peace.