Israel: What Went Wrong? by Omer Bartov review – the long view
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#1
Historian Omer Bartov has published a sweeping political analysis of Israel's trajectory from its founding ideals to what he characterizes as profound moral decline.
歷史學家歐默·巴托夫發表了一份全面的政治分析，探討以色列從建國理想走向他所描述的深刻道德衰落的軌跡。
#2
The erudite account, titled "Israel: What Went Wrong?", traces the state foundation back to the aftermath of the Holocaust seventy-seven years ago.
這部名為《以色列：出了什麼問題？》的博學著作，將國家建立的根源追溯到七十七年前猶太人大屠殺後的時期。
#3
Bartov argued that the nation initially garnered unprecedented international sympathy, owing partly to western guilt and partly to democratic aspirations.
巴托夫主張，這個國家最初獲得了前所未有的國際同情，部分歸因於西方的罪惡感，部分則歸因於對民主的渴望。
#4
The book emphasizes that Israel's Declaration of Independence explicitly promised full social and political equality regardless of race, creed, or sex.
這本書強調，以色列的《獨立宣言》明確承諾，無論種族、信仰或性別，皆享有充分的社會與政治平等。
#5
In its early years, the country was perceived throughout the West as an icon of progressive, egalitarian society.
在早期，這個國家在整個西方被視為進步、平等社會的象徵。
#6
Bartov contended that this perception has since undergone a dramatic reversal, with many observers now regarding the state as oppressive.
巴托夫主張這種認知自那時起經歷了劇烈的反轉，許多觀察家現在將該國視為壓迫者。
#7
Central to Bartov's history is the assertion that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories constituted a pivotal turning point in its moral trajectory.
巴托夫歷史論述的核心主張是，以色列對巴勒斯坦領土的佔領構成了其道德軌跡中的關鍵轉折點。
#8
Had the occupation not become entrenched, the author suggested, the country's democratic credentials might have remained intact.
作者暗示，若佔領行動當時沒有變得根深蒂固，該國的民主信譽或許本可以保持完好。
#9
The study documented how successive governments pursued policies that critics have described as ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.
這項研究記錄了歷屆政府如何在約旦河西岸推行被評論家描述為種族清洗的政策。
#10
Bartov's analysis also addressed the international ramifications of Israel's military operations, including its campaigns in Lebanon and Syria.
巴托夫的分析也探討了以色列軍事行動的國際影響，包括其在黎巴嫩和敘利亞的軍事行動。
#11
He cautioned that the perception of the country as an outpost of western imperialism has intensified considerably among populations across the Middle East.
他警告說，將該國視為西方帝國主義前哨基地的看法，在中東各地的群眾中已顯著加劇。
#12
Were the international community to demand genuine accountability, the author maintained, a different outcome might yet be conceivable.
巴托夫主張，若國際社會要求真正的問責，一個不同的結果或許仍是可想像的。
#13
The book concluded by examining Israel's response to the Hamas attack of October 2023, which Bartov identified as a watershed moment.
這本書最後透過檢視以色列對 2023 年 10 月哈馬斯襲擊的反應作結，巴托夫將其定義為一個分水嶺時刻。
#14
Although Israel invoked its right to self-defence, the International Court of Justice subsequently found plausible grounds for concern regarding violations of humanitarian law.
雖然以色列援引了其自衛權，但國際法院隨後發現有合理的理由擔憂其違反了人道法。
#15
can a nation founded on democratic principles recover from decades of moral erosion?
一個建立在民主原則之上的國家，能否從數十年的道德侵蝕中恢復過來？