Good Arabs

Good Arabs examines the complex relationship between Jewish authorities and Palestinian Arabs who collaborated with the Zionist movement during Israel's pre-state and early statehood periods (1917-1956). The book draws from declassified Israeli intelligence documents and archival materials to present accounts of Arab informants, spies, and local leaders who worked with Jewish institutions. Cohen focuses on the motivations and circumstances that led some Palestinians to cooperate with Jewish authorities, from financial incentives to family rivalries and political pragmatism. The narrative tracks how these relationships evolved through major historical events including the British Mandate period, the 1948 war, and the military administration of Israel's Arab citizens. The book details the mechanics of collaboration networks and their impact on both Palestinian society and the emerging Israeli state. The intelligence gathering operations, recruitment methods, and management of informants are documented through official correspondence and firsthand accounts. This historical analysis raises broader questions about power dynamics, identity, and survival strategies in times of conflict. The work challenges simplistic narratives about Arab-Jewish relations during this period while exploring universal themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexities faced by individuals caught between competing national movements.

Readers value the book's detailed research into Arab-Jewish relations during the British Mandate period, particularly its use of previously unseen archival documents. Many note it provides new perspectives on Palestinian collaborators and challenges simplistic narratives about the era. Positives from reviews: - Clear examination of complex motivations behind collaboration - Thorough documentation and primary sources - Balanced treatment of sensitive subject matter Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style can be difficult to follow - Some reviewers feel it focuses too heavily on individual cases rather than broader context - Translation from Hebrew occasionally feels awkward Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) One reviewer on Goodreads notes: "Cohen avoids moralizing judgments while presenting thorough evidence." An Amazon reviewer critiques: "Important research but the writing style made it a challenging read."

Army of Shadows by Hillel Cohen Documents Palestinian collaboration with the Zionist movement from 1917 to 1948 through archival research and personal accounts.

The Iron Cage by Rashid Khalidi Examines the structural limitations and internal factors that affected Palestinian national aspirations during the British Mandate period.

One Palestine, Complete by Tom Segev Chronicles the British Mandate period in Palestine through multiple perspectives using British, Jewish, and Arab primary sources.

The War for Palestine by Eugene L. Rogan Presents new research on the 1948 conflict through analyses of recently declassified documents from Arab and Israeli archives.

Palestinians in Israel by Nadim Rouhana Studies the political and social dynamics between the Palestinian minority and Jewish majority in Israel from 1948 to the present.

🔹 The book reveals how British authorities in Mandatory Palestine actively recruited and maintained a network of Palestinian Arab informants who assisted them during the Arab Revolt of 1936-1939. 🔹 Hillel Cohen accessed previously classified documents in Israeli military archives to uncover details about Palestinian collaborators that had remained hidden for decades. 🔹 Many of the Arab informants who worked with Jewish authorities before 1948 later became important intermediaries between Israel and its Arab minority after the state's establishment. 🔹 The Hebrew version of the book, published in 2006 under the title "Army of Shadows," sparked significant controversy in both Israeli and Palestinian academic circles. 🔹 Cohen's research shows that class differences played a major role in collaboration patterns - wealthy urban Palestinians were more likely to cooperate with British and Jewish authorities than rural peasants.