A powerful account, by Israeli peace activist Miko Peled, of his transformation from a young man who’d grown up in the heart of Israel’s elite and served proudly in its military into a fearless advocate of nonviolent struggle and equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis. His journey is mirrored in many ways the transformation his father, a much-decorated Israeli general, had undergone three decades earlier. Alice Walker contributed a foreword to the first edition in which she wrote, “There are few books on the Israel/Palestine issue that seem as hopeful to me as this one.” In the new Epilogue he takes readers to South Africa, East Asia, many European countries, and the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel itself.
The 10th Anniversary Edition includes a new preface in which he reflects on the growth of the Palestinian-rights movement since the original publication of this work in 2012.
What People Are Saying
“There are few books on the Israel/Palestine issue that seem as hopeful to me as this one.” Alice Walker, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
“This is an important book, full of hope and inspiration for a shared destiny between Palestinians and Israelis based on mutual respect and equal rights.” Susan Abulhawa, author and political activist
“Matti Peled, the general of the title, was a remarkable personality. An underground fighter, a combat soldier and an architect of the Israeli army that won the Six-day War, he was a militaristic hawk before becoming an outstanding peace activist. The man who pushed the Israeli government into the war turned into one of the most implacable enemies of the occupation that resulted from it. During the twenty years we were close associates in this endeavor, I sometimes wondered how it was for a boy to grow up in the shadow of such a headstrong father. In this candid account, Miko Peled tells us how he followed in the footsteps of the general, from parachutist to fighter for peace, although his beloved 12-year-old niece was killed by suicide bombers. A fascinating story that provides much food for thought.” Uri Avnery, veteran Israeli peace activist and former member of Knesset
“Miko Peled has written a fascinating book about his illustrious father—military hero, defiantly independent peace-activist politician, and Ph.D. professor-translator-scholar of Arabic language and literature. But this is in no way a conventional biography of a multi-talented great man. Rather, it is a penetrating, honest analysis of the core beliefs and courageous lives lived by an iconic Jewish leader and his remarkable family. A family that, though part of the national Zionist political-military establishment, have long reached out with empathetic concern for the Palestinians under Israeli occupation control—and who continue to agitate for a just peace acceptable to both Jews and Arabs. That family commitment to reconciliation has been sorely tested but remains unbroken even after a young grand-daughter of the general was killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber… Miko is truly inspiring in the telling of his family’s story — and of his own struggles to come to terms with the moral, ethical and intellectual legacy from his father.” Landrum Bolling, veteran US peace activist, former president, Earlham College
“This is a brilliantly rendered father and son saga amidst a background that evokes Greek mythology. The father was an Israeli hero in the fight for independence and the subsequent wars that led to Israeli dominance, and a brutal occupation. The father and son difficulties can never escape the bigger picture. This is a story of admiration—and anger.” Seymour Hersh, investigative journalist
“Miko did not automatically follow in the footsteps of his remarkable father—a hawkish general turned Arabist and early proponent of a two-state solution in dialogue with the PLO. Instead, we are privileged to accompany the author on his own fascinating internal odyssey—a journey of self-education and cumulative critique of Zionist premises and Israeli practices culminating in poignant advocacy of a unitary binational state anchored in common humanity.” Walid Khalidi, general secretary, Institute for Palestine Studies
“The story of Miko Peled, his mother and father, reveals how facts, compassion and a universal sense of justice took hold and inspires this energetic and informed voice for peace.” Ralph Nader
“Out of personal pain and sober reflection on the past comes this powerful narrative of transformation, empowerment and commitment. It is the personal story that brings home forcefully how one liberates oneself from oppressive ideologies without losing one’s identity, family and humanity. Miko’s story is a must read for anyone who has not lost hope that one day peace and justice will prevail in Israel and Palestine.” Ilan Pappé, Israeli historian, professor of history at the University of Exeter (UK)
“The General’s Son provides a window into a unique view Palestinians need to see. It tells the story of a man and his son whose experience in the Israeli army awakened them to the horrible reality of Israeli occupation. I would strongly recommend it to all Palestinians and to those that sympathise with their quest for freedom and justice.” Azzam Tamimi, British Palestinian academic and author of Hamas: The Unwritten Chapters
About the Contributors
Miko Peled is an Israeli peace activist who spends his time between Jerusalem and San Diego. Born into a strongly Zionist family in Jerusalem, as a young man Peled witnessed the transformation of his father, General Matti Peled, from a well-known leader in Israel’s military to a strong peace activist. The General’s Son has been translated into numerous other languages and Peled, a gripping public speaker, has lectured around the world in his campaign to promote justice, democracy, and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis.
Alice Walker is an activist and a Pulitzer Prize winning author. She has written more than thirty books, including The Color Purple, The Temple of My Familiar, and The Way Forward is With a Broken Heart.