Unsettled is an academic look at Jewish activism for Palestine by an author who is, himself, Jewish. Since October 7th, the world has witnessed horrendous death and destruction of Gaza and Palestinians, and cries of antisemitism have run rampant. This book both gives a base of what has been happening in Jewish activism spheres and the road that many Jews have to walk down in unlearning their Zionism. I really appreciated this book, because it talks a lot about centering Palestinians in the activism, and using the privilege of being Jewish in Israel in order to help Palestinians. It also discusses the many Jewish-based organizations that are involved in the Israel/Palestine sphere, and how they interact with one another.

I would recommend this book to people who are looking to learn how Jews, particularly young Jews, are reacting en masse to the current situation in Gaza, and where different Jewish organizations stand. This book is a bit academic, but it is not written in a way that is exceedingly dry.

Thank you to NYU Press and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

it was unique being able to read the perspective of Jewish people advocating for Palestine and Palestinians, an angle that is often neglected or minimised.

overall the book was an interesting read but I did not find myself fully immersed in it, though I am struggling to pinpoint exactly why that is

Unsettled is an academic work that focuses young American Jewish activism involved in the Palestine solidarity movement. It focuses on interviews with Millennial and Gen Z organizers, affiliated with groups like IfNotNow, the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, All That's Left, and Jewish Voice for Peace. It does get a bit dense but I still highly recommend it.

Firstly, this book comes at such an important time and I am glad this work exists as the voices of young Jewish Americans are often muffled or talked over, specially if they are anti occupation.

This work challenges the forced and artificial conflation between judaism (religious) and zionism (political) that has been pushed by those trying to shut down criticism towards the far-right theocratic Israeli government's disproportionate reactions against displaced Palestinians and the apartheid they justify using eugenics.

This was informative and eye opening, the direct quotes and experiences from people gives a sense of proximity to their stories and heart warming courage. I have personally noticed in my close circles how the recent history between Israel and Palestine has made young Jewish people question Zionism and the occupation tactics of Israel and reconsider their stance, so I am happy to see it compiled in a book as I feel it is necessary to have their experiences heard.

I was happy to see there was also an effort in this book, to highlight the different political and jewish organisations that take a stance to defend displaced Palestinians.

Overall, this is a book filled with important information and important voices and it is a crucial read.

I didn't finish it because I just wasn't in the mood to keep reading about how this group of Jewish people aren't like Zionist. I respect all the work they do and all the unlearning they had to do to get to that point, I do think not interviewing Palestinians in this is just icky to me.

I just wasn't in the mood.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

During the course of months that have gone by since October 7th, many of the most courageous and moving protests I have seen have come from Jewish communities. In my own community, New York, we had the Jewish Voice for Peace sit-ins at Grand Central, and the college encampments at Columbia and CUNY, which featured many Jewish activists. From these particular acts of organizing, I have been so moved, and thus it was a great opportunity to get to learn more about those who faced arrest while wearing t-shirts that read: <i>"Not in our name."</i>

<i>Unsettled</i> is an academic work that analyzes young American Jewish activism, in particular. It focuses on interviews with Millennial and Gen Z organizers, often affiliated with groups such as IfNotNow, the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, All That's Left, and Jewish Voice for Peace. Their ages range from 1981 to 2003. I, myself, was born in late 2002, and so I recognize a lot of what I've been taught—and have not been taught—in this book.

As a consequence, for me, this book held particular interest when discussing not only Jewish tradition and how it relates to these activists' work and beliefs, but also those of whom do not share their sentiments, such as older Jewish people who were around for Israel's inception, as well as what appeared to be it's very real threat of annihilation in 1967 and 1973. This was a fully new perspective for me, as was the idea that many young Jews are facing real disillusionment from their religious institutions that continue to rally behind Zionist ideals.

Dense and a lot to sift through, but incredibly informative and inspiring. To those interested in learning more about this movement in America, it's a definite must-read.

Unsettled offers a insightful exploration into the evolving dynamics of Jewish American identity and activism in solidarity with Palestinians. Oren Kroll-Zeldin discusses the motivations and strategies of young Jewish Americans who challenge mainstream pro-Israel narratives. By framing their activism as deeply rooted in Jewish values, the book sheds light on a significant shift in the discourse surrounding Israel and Palestine. I was drawn to this book as someone who is Jewish but has begun questioning the actions of Israel. Reading this book has motivated me to seek out stories from Palestinians to understand their truth and perspectives. I would recommend this book for anyone looking to learn about multiple perspectives and find additional resources.

This book offers a compelling exploration of the growing support for Palestinians among young Jewish Americans. These young activists demonstrate a strong commitment to their Jewish identity and values by challenging Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine and the human rights violations perpetrated against Palestinians.

I found myself skimming through the second half of the book, as I personally would have liked a less neutral stance on the topic. Nevertheless, I believe that the neutrality of this work will aid in reaching and prompting contemplation among the right audiences.

I view it as an important and valuable addition to many bookshelves, as it counters the conflation of Jews and Israel, a state that both Amnesty International and the International Human Rights Watch have characterised as an apartheid due to its brutal policies aimed at maintaining a Jewish majority on Palestinian land.

The topic is a very interesting and important one and this book seems well researched, but alas I really didn't like the way it is written, it felt heavy with repetitions and I couldn't focus, so I DNFed about 25% in. Sorry!

Thank you NetGalley and NYU Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book explores how grassroots movements by young Jewish Americans contribute to Palestinian solidarity activism. Kroll-Zeldin points out and analyses the ways the activists' Judaism plays a key role in the formation and organisation of these movements. It was fascinating to learn not only about specific (Jewish American) movements that fight for Palestinian solidarity and an end to the institutional Jewish American support for Israel's apartheid and occupation policies but also how these movements are informed specifically by their Jewish values of freedom, justice and equality.
The analysis of these social justice movements is thorough and easy to follow. While overall quite dense, in some parts, the book drags and is a bit repetitive. It's a good and efficient introduction to Jewish American activism for Palestinian solidarity.

Oren Kroll-Zeldin offers a groundbreaking exploration into the intersection of Jewish identity and activism, particularly focusing on the solidarity movement with Palestinians among young Jewish Americans. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Palestinian state and genocide, as well as the evolving dynamics and movements within the Jewish community in the United States.

Kroll-Zeldin delves into the experiences of young Jewish Americans who challenge the traditional pro-Israel stance of mainstream Jewish institutions. He sheds light on how these activists confront Israeli government policies of occupation and apartheid, advocating for transformative change within American Jewish support for Israel.

One of the book's strengths lies in Kroll-Zeldin's identification of three key social movement strategies employed by these activists. By targeting mainstream Jewish American institutions, participating in co-resistance efforts in Palestine/Israel, and engaging in Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns, these individuals effectively bridge their Jewish values with their commitment to justice for Palestinians.

This is a side of “pro-Palestinian” support that is often completely ignored and unaddressed by Zionists and media in general, so it was incredibly interesting to see the efforts by several Jewish communities for decades supporting Palestinians and fighting against the apartheid regime in Israel. Many Zionists like to pretend these people simply don’t exist. That’s why it’s important that we remember they do, and that we do not allow them to be silenced. The author has an amazing ability to frame social justice activism as deeply intertwined with Jewish traditions and values.
Kroll-Zeldin masterfully articulates how these activists see their efforts as a reflection of their Jewish identity, rooted in the evolving dynamics of Jewish life in the twenty-first century.

Unsettled is a groundbreaking work that challenges conventional narratives and offers a fresh perspective on who exactly is fighting for Palestine and what these people have to say. Kroll-Zeldin's writing is engaging, his arguments persuasive, and his research exhaustive. His ability to navigate sensitive topics with empathy is commendable.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone seeking a deeper understanding of this issue and applaud Oren Kroll-Zeldin for his insightful contribution to the discourse.

This book is a testament to the power of activism, the resilience of identity, and the possibility of forging a more just and equitable future for all.

Many thanks to Net Galley for the advance reading copy of this informative eBook.

As I found this book incredibly insightful about solidarity and co-resistance among Jewish and Palestinian activists, I would recommend this not only to people who primarily want to learn more about Jewish-Palestinian activism and solidarity, but also to people who conflate Zionism and Israel with Judaism as a whole and genuinely want to widen their understanding of the topic. The strongest part of this book is its foundation in the anti-Zionist action that has been taken by Jewish activists and in the author’s own experience as a Jewish activist supporting the Palestinian struggle against settler colonialism and genocide. The one thing I really have to quibble with here is that the author seems a little soft—while not endorsing them—on “Zionism neutral, kind of Israel critical” people, which I suppose may be an attempt to court them further to the cause. I would be willing to read more from this author on anti-Zionist Jewish activism, but I would like to read works on the Palestinian struggle for liberation written by Palestinian authors before I do so.

The tone is overall appropriate to the incredibly serious and important subject matter; you can tell the author is genuinely very invested in the issue and trying to do what’s right. The text’s structure is clear and straightforward, never getting sidetracked from the important discussion at hand. While it is quite dense, it’s also very coherent and accessible in terms of using clear, direct wording and explaining relevant terminology for readers. I think it would have been worthwhile to break up the paragraphs to make the information easier to absorb one thing at a time. In the technical department, things like grammar, syntax, and spelling are all relatively consistent and direct.

I have learned a lot from this book. I can't see that any Australian distributors or publishers have picked this up yet, but I hope they do.

"American Jews and the Movement of Justice in Palestine" by Oren Kroll-Zeldin is a compelling examination of the complex relationship between the American Jewish community and the growing movement for Palestinian justice. The research and the analysis make this book an important addition to the literature on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The book was clear and accessible, explaining how some American Jews questioned the pro-Israel stance of mainstream Jewish institutions. It shows how these activists actively participated in the Palestine solidarity movement and worked to find solutions to end the Israeli occupation and apartheid policies

For someone like me, growing up and witnessing the injustices of the occupation and the hardships faced by Palestinians, this book was crucial. It helped me understand how young Jewish individuals strive to defend their religion while drawing a clear line between Zionism and Judaism. The book illuminated the efforts of these young activists, providing insight into their mission to separate their religious beliefs from political ideologies and to stand against the injustices they witness.
Also, the author talks about the hard parts and controversies in an honest way, making the book trustworthy. It encourages readers to have a good discussion about it.

I was happy to have the privilege of early access through the NetGalley app, this book helps readers grasp the distinction between Zionism and Judaism. It also sheds light on the occupation, illustrating the vital role of American Jewish activists in amplifying the voices of Palestinian activists

Looking to get some insight into the current state of politics, I immediately applied for this book. What I received was a fantastic story about the author's lived experiences as a Jewish person and the apparent shift in ideologies within the community and at large about the occupation of Palestine.

A timely book that will surely have a positive impact on those that read it.

Many thanks to NYU Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this work.

Great book to read. Especially with the conflict in Palestine just now. Good to see that not all Jews agree with how they are treating Palestinians, lots of good information in the book. Very informative

I recently had the opportunity to read your book, "American Jews and the Movement for Justice in Palestine," and I wanted to provide you with some feedback. Overall, I found your work to be a commendable and insightful exploration of a complex and sensitive subject. Here are some detailed thoughts:

Comprehensive Research: Your book demonstrates a thorough and comprehensive research effort. The inclusion of diverse perspectives within the American Jewish community adds depth and richness to the narrative. The historical context you provide is particularly valuable, giving readers a well-rounded understanding of the factors influencing the viewpoints presented.

Nuanced Approach: I appreciate the nuanced approach you take throughout the book. Your commitment to presenting a variety of opinions without favoring one over the other fosters an atmosphere of intellectual openness. This approach encourages readers to critically engage with the material and question their own assumptions, which is crucial when dealing with such a complex and emotionally charged topic.

Balanced Tone: The positive yet balanced tone of your writing is a strong suit. By acknowledging the challenges and controversies surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, you maintain credibility and demonstrate a commitment to presenting a fair and honest account. This approach is likely to resonate well with a broad readership.

Constructive Dialogue: Your work serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to engage in constructive dialogue on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The book encourages readers to approach the subject with an open mind, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives can be understood and respected.

Clarity of Writing: The clarity of your writing style contributes to the accessibility of the book. The complex nature of the topic could potentially be overwhelming, but your clear and engaging prose helps guide readers through the intricacies of the subject matter.

While I found your book to be highly commendable, it's essential to note that individual readers may bring their own perspectives and expectations. Some readers might appreciate the neutrality and balance you maintain, while others might seek a more explicit advocacy stance. Nonetheless, your work serves as a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on this critical issue.

Thank you for your dedication to producing a work that promotes understanding and thoughtful discussion. I look forward to any future contributions you may make to this important conversation.

Unsettled is an interesting, well-researched, and important book for the current political moment. A work of autoethnography, it tells of the author’s experiences with Jewish activism in the Palestine solidarity movement. The author writes of the increase in young diaspora Jews of the Millenial and Gen Z age groups calling out the hypocrisy of the Israeli occupation, and oppression, of Gaza and the West Bank. He makes a compelling argument that younger American Jews are more willing to apply social justice values taught to them as Jewish values evenly, including calling out Israeli human rights abuses against Palestinians. The ongoing genocide in Gaza makes the book all the more important.

More suited to an academic, rather than general, audience. Readers interested in the changing views regarding unequivocal support for Israel in Jewish diaspora communities will enjoy.

Gave very insightful information about the occupation of Palestine and the wait the world sees Jewish people versus Muslim/arab people. A must read.