Albert Memmi’s book was written in the 1950s, at the height of the decolonialization of Europe’s colonial states, especially those of Great Britain and France. Memmi sketches clear portraits of the conquered and the conqueror and while doing so portrays the injustice and great suffering that resulted from the occupation. He explains how even democratic regimes—in charge of on the existence of civil rights and on maintaining the civilian’s dignity—adjust to the colonial situation, and for the sake of their own well-being allow many great injustices. The author reveals the human, economic, and political distortion that underlies colonialism. However, this situation works its destructiveness on the conqueror too and is liable to harm the democratic regime in the mother country.

In his introduction to the Hebrew edition, the author writes: “Because of the historical trap (two peoples claiming the same territory), the Palestinians found themselves gradually being ruled by the Israelis, and the conflict will not subside as long as this continues. No people has a right or the ability to rule absolutely over another.”

This edition also includes an essay by Dani Sharvit about the author and his book and on the insights that arise from it regarding the Israeli-Palestinian reality.

Out of print.