How the redefinition of antisemitism has functioned as a tactic to undermine Palestine solidarity. The widespread adoption of the IHRA definition of anti-semitism and the internalisation of its norms has set in motion a simplistic definitional logic for dealing with social problems that has impoverished discussions of racism and prejudice more generally, across Britain and beyond. It has encouraged a focus on words over substance.
Erasing Palestine tells the story of how this has happened, with a focus on internal politics within Britain over the course of the past several years. In order to do so, it tells a much longer story, about the history of antisemitism since the beginning of the twentieth century. This is also a story about Palestine, a chronicle of the erasure of the violence against the Palestinian people, and a story about free speech, and why it matters to Palestinian freedom.
Reviews:
"A detailed, in-depth study that gets to the heart of one of the contemporary world's most contentious issues. A bold and expert expose of the real reasons behind the West's current antisemitism industry: the silencing of Palestinians and their erasure from history."—Ghada Karmi, author of In Search of Fatima and Return
"In this deeply personal and politically engaged book, Gould makes a challenging, provocative and radical case for promoting uncompromising free speech, an essential prerequisite in the quest for Palestinian freedom. Academically rooted in literature, language and law, she takes us on a fascinating intellectual journey, which includes experiencing cancel culture, commuting between home in the occupied Palestinian territories and an academic post in Jerusalem, discovering her suppressed Jewish heritage, and reaching a materialist understanding of antisemitism."
—Antony Lerman, author of Whatever Happened to Antisemitism?
"What if anti-racism is oppressive and threatens to wipe out a nation? Rebecca Gould's fine analysis patiently and lucidly shows how a currently prevalent understanding of antisemitism is threatening to do just this. First by misdescribing antisemitism; then by its use as a weapon to silence dissent; and finally by erasing the idea of a suffering Palestinian people with a claim to statehood. It's a bold series of claims but not simply ideas as it's based on painful personal experience." —Tariq Modood, University of Bristol
About the Author
Rebecca Ruth Gould is the author of numerous works at the intersection of aesthetics and politics, including the book: Prison Hunger Strikes in Palestine (2023). She has written for the general public in the London Review of Books, the Global & Mail, and World Policy Journal and her writing has been translated into eleven languages.
Author: Rebecca Ruth Gould
Format: Paperback
Pages: 176
Publisher: Verso
Published: 2023
ISBN: 978-1839769023