All questions of right to one side, I have never been able…
““All questions of right to one side, I have never been able to banish the queasy inner suspicion that Israel just did not look, or feel, either permanent or sustainable. I felt this when sitting in the old Ottoman courtyards of Jerusalem, and I felt it even more when I saw the hideous 'Fort Condo' settlements that had been thrown up around the city in order to give the opposite impression. If the statelet was only based on a narrow strip of the Mediterranean littoral (god having apparently ordered Moses to lead the Jews to one of the very few parts of the region with absolutely no oil at all), that would be bad enough. But in addition, it involved roosting on top of an ever-growing population that did not welcome the newcomers.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author expresses deep doubt about Israel’s long‑term viability, citing geographic, demographic, and political concerns that make its existence seem unsustainable.
In simple terms: Israel’s future looks shaky due to land, resources, and hostile neighbors.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about permanence; seek realistic solutions.
Themes
politics
geography
demography
conflict
identity
Mood
skeptical
analytical
concerned
Type
political
critical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- academic debate
- media commentary
- public discourse
Key Concepts
nation‑state sustainability
colonial legacy
resource scarcity
population dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do resource constraints shape national security?
- What alternatives exist for a sustainable coexistence?
A Different Perspective
Critics argue Israel can adapt through technology and diplomacy, mitigating some concerns.