Ilan Pappé, an Israeli historian and one of the New Historians, published Ten Myths About Israel (2017) to challenge widely accepted narratives and assumptions that, he argues, underpin the legitimacy of the State of Israel and its policies. His goal is to expose how certain myths—pervasive in media, politics, and public discourse—have shaped public understanding of Palestinian history, and how they continue to influence policy and justice. National Library of Israel+3PenguinRandomhouse.com+3Middle East Monitor+3
Below is a summary of the main myths Pappé identifies, his arguments against them, and some reflections.
The Myths and Pappé’s Counterarguments
Pappé divides the myths into three broad sections: fallacies of the past, fallacies of the present, and looking ahead. libraries.sa.gov.au+2Zinned Project+2
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Palestine Was an Empty Land
Myth: On the eve of Zionist settlement and British involvement, Palestine was largely empty, or underpopulated, often misportrayed as barren or uncultivated—awaiting Jewish settlers to bring progress. Middle East Monitor+2Zinned Project+2
Counterargument: Pappé draws on historical evidence showing that Palestine had long been inhabited by Arab communities; there was cultivation, social structures, trade, and even early modernizing trends under Ottoman rule. The idea of an empty land, he claims, serves to justify settler colonization by erasing indigenous presence. Middle East Monitor -
The Jews Were a People Without a Land
Myth: This is the idea that Jews historically lacked a homeland, implying that Zionism was merely a return to what was theirs. Middle East Monitor+1
Counterargument: Pappé argues that Jewish identity does include strong historic religious ties to the Land of Israel, but the political and national dimension of “peoplehood” is more recent, emergent in 19th‑century European nationalism. Therefore, claims that Zionism simply re‑established a lost homeland gloss over the constructed national dimensions and the colonial framing. Middle East Monitor -
Zionism Is Judaism
Myth: The conflation of Zionism (a political movement) with Judaism (religion, culture, identity) as if they are inseparable or identical. Zinned Project+1
Counterargument: Pappé notes that many Jews do not identify with political Zionism; there has historically been—and continues to be—a diversity of opinion among Jews about nationalism, Israel, secularism, religion, diaspora etc. To equate Zionism with Judaism suppresses internal dissent and diversity, and misrepresents both Jewish religion and Zionist politics. Middle East Monitor -
Zionism Is Not Colonialism
Myth: The narrative that Zionism was simply a national liberation movement or a movement for Jewish self‑determination—not a colonial project, unlike European colonialism. Middle East Monitor+1
Counterargument: Pappé argues that Zionism shares many features with settler colonialism: migration, land acquisition, displacement of indigenous population, establishment of political control. He criticizes narratives that deny or soften these features. Middle East Monitor -
The Palestinians Voluntarily Left Their Homeland in 1948
Myth: That the Palestinian exodus in 1948 was mainly voluntary—either persuaded by leaders or fleeing wars or calls from Arab states—rather than caused by expulsions, fear, or organized operations. Middle East Monitor+1
Counterargument: Pappé presents archival evidence, oral histories, and other sources to show that many Palestinians were forced out, intimidated, or expelled; that there were plans (explicit or implicit) among some Zionist leaders for population transfer; and that voluntary narratives downplay the coercive and violent contexts. Middle East Monitor+1 -
The June 1967 War Was a War of “No Choice”
Myth: Israel and its supporters often argue that the 1967 war (leading to occupation of territories) was forced upon Israel, that it had no viable alternative and was acting defensively. Middle East Monitor+1
Counterargument: Pappé questions this portrayal. He argues that Israel had strategic plans, military advantages, and options, and that the narrative of “no choice” obscures responsibility, premeditation, and the way Israel used the war to achieve long‑term territorial goals. Middle East Monitor -
Israel Is the Only Democracy in the Middle East
Myth: The claim that Israel is unique in the region as a democratic state, especially as contrasted with its neighbors. Middle East Monitor+1
Counterargument: Pappé challenges this by pointing out how democratic norms and rights are applied unequally within Israel and in the occupied territories. He examines issues of citizenship, civil rights, military rule over certain populations, the law of return for Jews, restrictions on non‑Jewish citizens, and the treatment of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. Arab America+1 -
The Oslo Mythologies
Myth: That the Oslo Accords (1993‑ mid‑1990s) represented a genuine peace process with mutual concessions, were a turning point toward justice, or a fair template for resolving core issues. Arab America+1
Counterargument: Pappé argues that Oslo served to entrench Israeli occupation and control, delay solutions, fragment Palestinian society, and shift power imbalances rather than correct them. The accords’ structures, according to him, perpetuated Israeli dominance by leaving settlement issues, refugees, Jerusalem etc., unresolved or subject to Israeli control. Middle East Monitor+1 -
The Gaza Mythologies
Myth: Claims such as that Israeli actions in Gaza are strictly defensive; or that withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 was a peace‑gesture; or that Hamas is purely a terrorist organization in ways that justify all Israeli responses. Arab America+1
Counterargument: Pappé deconstructs these narratives. For example, he argues that the 2005 disengagement was not so much peace‑minded as strategic; that Israel maintains control over Gaza’s borders, air‑space, maritime access etc.; that many deaths in Gaza are disproportionate; and that portraying Gaza solely as a terror problem obfuscates the effects of occupation, siege, blockades, humanitarian crisis, and structural violence. Arab America -
The Two‑States Solution Is the Only Way Forward
Myth: That partition into a sovereign Israel and sovereign Palestine is the only realistic route to peace, justice, and political legitimacy. Many international actors still treat it as the baseline framework. Middle East Monitor+1
Counterargument: Pappé argues that the two‑state formula has been undermined by facts on the ground: Israeli settlement expansion, control of land, infrastructure, fragments in the West Bank, the reality of occupation, and the political unwillingness on Israel’s side to truly concede key issues (refugee return, borders, East Jerusalem, etc.). He raises the possibility (or necessity) of alternative models—one democratic state, equal rights etc.—arguing that the two‑state myth keeps alive illusions rather than confronting entrenched injustices. Middle East Monitor+1
Themes & Purpose
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Myths as Power Structures: Pappé stresses that myths are not just mistaken stories; they are politically useful tools. They legitimize dominant power, shape international diplomacy, influence public opinion, and guide policy. ― Myth making is part of how states justify claims to legitimacy. Middle East Monitor
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History, Memory, and Erasure: A recurring theme is that historical narratives often marginalize or erase Palestinian experiences—oral histories, archival documents are conflicted or suppressed. Pappé seeks to bring them into the picture to challenge hegemonic versions of history. Middle East Monitor
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Colonialism, Settler Colonialism, and Occupation: Pappé treats Zionism in many respects as a settler colonial project. He traces how colonial logics—land appropriation, displacement, demographic concerns—have shaped Israel from its foundation through to its current policies. Middle East Monitor
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Imbalance of Power & “Myth of Choice”: Many myths Pappé deconstructs involve the idea that Palestinians had real choices, options, or agency, when in his view the structures of power, violence, displacement, and international complicity constrained or foreclosed those choices. Middle East Monitor+1
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Toward Justice: Ultimately, he uses myth‑debunking not merely to critique— but to make space for what justice might look like. He challenges whether the current frameworks (notably the two‑state solution) still offer real justice or whether they serve more as myths perpetuating stalemate. Middle East Monitor
Criticisms & Controversies
Pappé's work is not without its critics. Some of the criticisms include:
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Bias & Motivation: Critics say that Pappé has an ideological agenda; that his interpretation of history is driven by political commitments, which can influence selection of sources or emphasis. Some argue he overstates certain claims or downplays opposing ones.
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Debate Over Evidence: On certain events or claims, opponents challenge Pappé’s reading of archival material, question whether evidence is sufficient, or whether contexts allow alternate interpretations. For example, the degree to which population transfer was consensually planned or was ad hoc amid war is contested among historians.
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Inhomogeneous Narratives: Some say that Pappé’s counter‑narratives, while important, may simplify complexities, smooth over disagreements inside Israeli society and among Palestinians, or underappreciate security, geopolitical, and international pressures that shape events in ways that are not reducible to myth vs. reality.
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Implications & Practicality: Criticism also arises about what follows from debunking myths: if two‑state solution is no longer viable, what alternative is feasible? Some argue Pappé’s proposals (or the implications) are radical, and hard to implement in current political climates.
Significance in Public Debate
Ten Myths About Israel has become one of the more accessible works for readers who want a critical perspective on Israeli historiography and the Palestine/Israel conflict. It is often cited by activists, educators, scholars, and media in discussions about narrative, propaganda, and historical memory. It contributes to:
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Reframing Discourse: By challenging "common knowledge", Pappé forces readers (and public discourse) to question what is taken for granted.
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Empowering Other Voices: Bringing in Palestinian archival materials, witnesses, and histories not usually prominent in mainstream narratives.
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Policy Implications: If his arguments are accepted, they pose challenges to widely assumed solutions like the two‑state model, and push for rethinking rights, justice, and equality.
Reflection: Strengths & Limitations
Strengths:
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Clarity & Organization: The myth/antimyth structure makes the book accessible, especially for those new to the subject.
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Rich Use of Sources: Pappé references archival material, eyewitness accounts, historical scholarship to support his challenges.
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Moral clarity: The book does not shy away from normative questions – justice, human rights, responsibility – which many historical works tend to avoid.
Limitations:
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Debates in historiography are complex; in some cases, Pappé’s claims are controversial and not all historians agree with his readings.
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The framing tends to be binary: myth vs. truth. In many historical realities, there are shades, ambiguities, contested interpretations.
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Because of political sensitivity, some readers might find the arguments polarizing; acceptance of Pappé’s work often depends on political orientation or prior assumptions.
Conclusion
Ten Myths About Israel by Ilan Pappé is an influential work that seeks to challenge dominant narratives about the history and present of Israel/Palestine. By systematically unpacking ten widely held beliefs, Pappé aims to reveal underlying power structures, historical erasures, and myths that legitimize occupation, displacement, and inequality. Whether one agrees with all his conclusions or not, the book is valuable for forcing critical reflection on narratives many of us have inherited.
For students, activists, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Israel‑Palestine conflict in its historical, political, and ethical dimensions, Pappé’s book offers both a critique and a provocation: if peace, justice, and equality are to be achieved, it may require abandoning some myths — or at least seeing them for what they are.
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