The Lemon Tree An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East

A creative take on a seriously complicated issue. By narrowing down the focus to two individuals Sandy Tolan is able to bring some humanity to an issue that is noticeably lacking it.

I’m still not sure i understand the issue at its core, but i most certainly do see how the issue blossomed into the absolute shit show that it is today. The creative approach to the narrative does not prevent Tolan from hitting home with just how disruptive this very much two sided issue is. In a world of opinions, Tolan tells a predominately neutral tale of two family’s entangled by fate and real estate. A tale of sympathy and prejudice, of understanding and gross ignorance, of love and of hate.

Were i ignorant to the world around me, I’d be putting forth some opinions on the matter here, but i’m not and so I won’t.

I took away just how fine a line there truly is between oppressed and oppressor or of terrorist and revolutionary. Nothing in this world is black and white. There’s always someone unsuspecting willing to listen and understand. And always someone who is not…

What i will say is that anyone who dares to make commentary on what’s happening in Israel today, should pad their knowledge with this historical recount. It’s a fucked up world we live in. Its accounts like this that remind me of that.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian struggle, regardless of their stance on the matter. I've studied this same conflict and its centuries-long history, but the classroom doesn't compare to what this book can also teach about real hope, however small. The Lemon Tree, although a true story and exhaustingly researched to be as objective as possible, reads like a novel. There were times of such suspense and emotion as Tolan tells the story, that I almost forgot I was reading fact. It is not exquisitely written in terms of style, and sometimes I feel Tolan got a bit carried away with historical anecdotes (ones that aren't always necessary). Regardless, I can't stress how necessary I think this story is. Without the Bashir's and Dalia's of the world... would there be any hope?

Throughout the book much is made of the "dialog" and "friendship" of the protagonists, Dalia and Bashir. This was completely lost on me. It is Dalia who consistently opens her heart and actively seeks an understanding. She looks beyond herself to the situation of the Arabs that once inhabited the land. She tries to envision a solution. Bashir does none of these things. He does not once open his heart nor seek understanding, he simply goes through the motions of basic Arab hospitality. He does not look beyond himself, not once, to see the plight of the Jewish people. He never tries to envision a solution, instead fixating on one single scenario and blinding himself to anything beyond. The author tried really hard to be fair, and in that I think he does a good job.

** spoiler alert ** I probably understand a little more about the conflict between the Arab’s and the Jews after reading this book but I sure as heck don’t feel any more hopeful for a solution. I think this story (and the story is just a tiny little portion of this book – the rest is a rather exhausting account of this war and that war whose name depends on whose side you are on) is supposed to inspire a bit of hope for an end to the conflict through human connection rather than focusing on who is more deserving of what real estate. The Lemon Tree is supposed to symbolize this hope. But spoiler alert the damn thing dies!