Hichem Karoui

For decades, Israel's foundational narrative emphasised heroism, self-defence, and moral righteousness through official accounts. However, from the late 1980s, Israeli "New Historians"-including Benny Morris, Ilan Pappé, Avi Shlaim, and Simha Flapan-began systematically challenging these established myths using newly declassified state and military archives. This groundbreaking scholarship reshaped understanding of pivotal events, particularly the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
The New Historians revealed that Palestinian displacement resulted not solely from Arab evacuation orders, but also from deliberate Israeli expulsions, massacres, and psychological warfare. They challenged the "David vs. Goliath" narrative by demonstrating the true military balance in 1948 and re-examined diplomatic engagements that shaped the region's destiny. Beyond historical facts, these revelations pose profound questions for contemporary Israeli society.
Can a nation progress without honestly confronting its past? Can these uncomfortable truths penetrate deeply ingrained collective consciousness, especially when powerful political forces benefit from maintaining established narratives?The New Historians faced fierce backlash and intellectual battles, illustrating deep resistance within segments of Israeli society to acknowledging uncomfortable historical realities.
This resistance demonstrates how challenging it is to confront entrenched historical narratives. Given today's escalating tensions and hardening positions, particularly from extremist elements within the Israeli government, critical questions emerge: Can the New Historians' critical understanding help resolve the current impasse? Can their insights foster more empathetic, self-reflective national dialogue, leading to paths based on shared understanding rather than entrenched grievances?By systematically presenting evidence challenging official narratives, this examination unveils painful truths behind ideological facades, providing essential context for understanding ongoing injustices and the imperative for just, lasting peace.
It represents a call for historical honesty as a prerequisite for genuine reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.