Lyons, a foreign correspondent for major Australian media and newspapers, has written about his personal experiences in the Middle East in various Arab and Jewish nations.
In various countries during the ‘Arab Spring ‘ [2010 to 2013] Lyons observed revolts against corrupt or despotic regimes, most of which failed to bring improved political conditions to the inhabitants. He placed himself in many dangerous situations in order to report the news.
The main thrust of his book explores the increasing tensions then and later, between Israel and the semi -autonomous areas of Gaza and the West Bank, which were given some administrative freedom after the Intifada of 1993. During his seven-year assignment in Israel, Lyons witnessed many ways in which Palestinians were discriminated against by both the Israeli Government and individual Israeli citizens and groups. The removal of Arabs from their legally held land in these areas and the policy of illegally creating Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank, has dramatically increased tensions and hatreds between the two groups. Lyons believes Western Countries have not fairly or openly reported on these tensions, with America openly supporting the aims of Isreal to eventually exclude all Arab inhabitants from these two areas.
This book is difficult to read, but for those readers interested in this tragic conflict in the Middle East, it provides an insight into reasons for the current war and provides little hope for a lasting solution.
October: 'Anam' by Andre Dao. 'Australian author tells story of his grandfather, imprisoned by the Viet Cong for ten years.'
Meg Dillon
In various countries during the ‘Arab Spring ‘ [2010 to 2013] Lyons observed revolts against corrupt or despotic regimes, most of which failed to bring improved political conditions to the inhabitants. He placed himself in many dangerous situations in order to report the news.
The main thrust of his book explores the increasing tensions then and later, between Israel and the semi -autonomous areas of Gaza and the West Bank, which were given some administrative freedom after the Intifada of 1993. During his seven-year assignment in Israel, Lyons witnessed many ways in which Palestinians were discriminated against by both the Israeli Government and individual Israeli citizens and groups. The removal of Arabs from their legally held land in these areas and the policy of illegally creating Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank, has dramatically increased tensions and hatreds between the two groups. Lyons believes Western Countries have not fairly or openly reported on these tensions, with America openly supporting the aims of Isreal to eventually exclude all Arab inhabitants from these two areas.
This book is difficult to read, but for those readers interested in this tragic conflict in the Middle East, it provides an insight into reasons for the current war and provides little hope for a lasting solution.
October: 'Anam' by Andre Dao. 'Australian author tells story of his grandfather, imprisoned by the Viet Cong for ten years.'
Meg Dillon
