‘The essence of Judaism is non-violence’

The British-Israeli historian discusses the core values of Judaism, and the June 1967 war being a turning point for him

- Chintan Girish Modi

You have been quite vocal in your criticism of the state of Israel. What gives you the courage to do this?

I grew up in Israel. Like many others, I served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and was subjected to Zionist indoctrination. I was a patriotic Israeli but the turning point was the June 1967 War, when Israel tripled its territory by capturing Golan Heights, the West Bank and the Sinai Peninsula, and became a colonial power.