Israel's Black Panthers

"Despite their seismic entrance into Israeli history, half a century later, the Panthers and their rebellion have been largely — and perhaps wilfully — forgotten. Their memory is primarily kept alive only by a few surviving Panthers, a handful of dedicated archivists and historians, the Mizrahi left in Israel and abroad, and parts of the broader Israeli radical left. But the Panthers’ relevance, argues Israeli-American journalist Asaf Elia-Shalev in a meticulous new book, is enduring."

— +972 Magazine

“Elia-Shalev is a journalist, which makes his writing structured and engaging in a way only few academic works are. His book is suspenseful, and the ‘true crime’ style of writing certainly keeps the reader engaged. . . . For those seeking deeper insights into this foundational aspect of Israeli society and culture — one that is bound to resurface soon — Elia-Shalev’s book is essential reading.”

— Middle East Journal

“Asaf Elia-Shalev tells the movement’s story with vivid sympathy, tracing its arc mostly through the troubled life of Moroccan-born activist and key strategist Reuven Abergel.”

— Moment

"Shalev's writing is personal and infused with passion and warmth, through which he imparts a sense of reality to the events he describes. . . . The narrative is engaging and vibrant, successfully maintaining its vitality throughout the entire book."

— Ethnic and Racial Studies

"Simultaneously honest yet sober—with often humorous and clever prose—the book shows an extraordinary attention to detail and brings to life its characters and the mood of Israeli society."

— The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs

"It is a combination of a historical analysis with storytelling and keeps the reader engaged in the evolution of this movement and its impacts. . . . This book is a remarkable work that brings to life the movement of the Israeli Black Panthers."

— Sephardic Horizons