A 2026 book by Yoav Litvin and Ilan Pappé examines Zionist settler colonialism through a neurobehavioural framework, asking how societies come to accept domination and political violence. In a review, writer Ramona Wadi presents the book as an effort to connect psychology, historical narratives and colonial power.
How the framework works
The authors trace their argument through Jewish history, European exclusion and the emergence of Zionism, then examine how ideas about defence, territory and identity shape political narratives. They argue that propaganda can make dispossession appear legitimate and weaken empathy for people subjected to violence.
The book identifies five mechanisms it says can suppress empathy: dehumanisation, threat inversion, divine mandate, historical erasure and fear conditioning. It also argues that laws, education and media can help normalise these narratives.
An argument, not a consensus
The review describes the book’s interpretation of Israel-Palestine and its proposal for decolonisation as the authors’ thesis. The framework is a political and psychological analysis; readers may assess its claims alongside other historical interpretations and evidence. The paperback is listed at 248 pages and published by Olive Branch Press.
