Assembled here are key sources that have shaped the modern Middle East, Zionism and Israel. We have included items that give texture, perspective and opinion to historical context. Many of these sources are mentioned in the Era summaries and contain explanatory introductions.
Vladimir Jabotinsky, “The Iron Wall,” 1923

Vladimir Jabotinsky, “The Iron Wall,” 1923

April 11, 1923 Vladimir “Ze’ev” Jabotinsky (October 17, 1880-August 3, 1940) was a Russian-Jewish intellectual, writer, soldier and political activist who founded the Revisionist Zionist movement. A charismatic orator and prolific author, Jabotinsky broke with…

Documents and Sources|April 11, 1923
Yigal Allon, Lessons From the War of Independence, 1952

Yigal Allon, Lessons From the War of Independence, 1952

With crisp analysis, Haganah Commander Yigal Allon, later a Prime Minister of Israel attributes Israel’s successes to multiple factors including the absence of a centralized Arab command, limited Arab military training, underestimating the potential fighting capabilities of local Arabs, and Israel’s success in integrating its citizens into the war effort.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s Speech on Pausing Judicial Overhaul, March 2023

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s Speech on Pausing Judicial Overhaul, March 2023

Citing deep disaffection among elements of Israeli military reserve units, and expressing those concerns to Prime Minister Netanyahu privately, Gallant makes his opinion public, causing Netanyahu to fire him, resulting in hundreds of thousand of Israelis in the streets. Two days after Gallant’s speech, Netanyahu called for a pause in pushing forward the judicial overhaul legislation.

Documents and Sources|March 25, 2023
IDF Inquiry Determines Military Failed in Mission at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7

IDF Inquiry Determines Military Failed in Mission at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7

The inquiry team determined that the IDF failed in its mission to protect the residents of Kibbutz Be’eri; the bravery of the Be’eri residents and the members of the kibbutz’s civilian rapid response team are commended for preventing the attack from spreading.  In the October 7, 2024 Hamas attack on the kibbutz, 101 civilians were killed, and 30 hostages from Kibbutz Be’eri and two additional hostages were abducted and taken into Gaza.

Documents and Sources|July 11, 2024