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His Israel Question revisited

The release, exactly 12 months ago, of Antony Loewenstein's book "My Israel Question" [MUP] caused near-enough to a firestorm. It says something about the book itself, and the interest in the subject-matter, that the book went to 3 reprints. It recently was short-listed in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards for 2007.

One most satisfactory outcome of the book, if nothing else, has been that the discussion of the vexed topic of Israel, the Palestinians, how Israel deals with the Palestinians and the Israel Lobby [in the US, Australia and elsewhere] has, at long last, been given air-play in the media - and alternative voices, to the shrill ones usually heard, now seen and read.

''I can think of few books about Israel and Palestine, written by an Australian, as important as Antony Loewenstein's brave j'accuse. In challenging the propagandists to give up their addiction, he is a truth-teller bar none.' --John Pilger

'This is one of the best treatises which presents in the most lucid way possible why anti-Zionism can not be equated with anti-Semitism. Interweaving personal trips, most valuable information and clear analysis, My Israel Question will serve as an essential guide for those who dare to criticise Zionist wrongdoing in the past and Israeli policies in the present, without being deterred by false allegations of Anti-Semitism.' --Dr Ilan Pappe, Senior Lecturer at the University of Haifa, Israel, and author of A History of Modern Palestine

'My Israel Question still deserves a strong readership, precisely because it makes us uncomfortable.' Weekend Australian 29/07/2006".

It is welcome news that a Second, and revised, edition of My Israel Question [MUP] has just now being released.

"Written by an Australian Jew, Antony Loewenstein, My Israel Question was published in 2006 amidst a storm of controversy, critical praise and robust public debate. The Israel-Palestine conflict had rarely been discussed as frankly, an indication that decades-old silencing of dissenting views was coming to an end. Loewenstein's searching discussion continues here in this fully updated and expanded new edition. Loewenstein's is an important new voice in one of the most significant debates of our time."

The book is available in bookstores - and on line. Check out the MUP web site here.

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