Ari Shavit

Ari Shavit is the author of the critically-acclaimed, New York Times bestseller My Promised Land: the Triumph and Tragedy of Israel. An outspoken columnist for Haaretz, Israel’s newspaper of record, and a prominent commentator on Israeli Public Television, Shavit has become one of the strongest voices in the nation’s public arena. He challenges the dogmas of both Right and Left with his unique insights into the roles of Israel and Zionism in the 21st century.
An exceptionally engaging speaker, Shavit deploys his unparalleled breadth and depth of knowledge of Israel and modern Jewish history to examine the nation’s complexities and contradictions. He talks with passion about the American-Israel relationship and the challenges facing the Jews of the Diaspora and the Jewish State as they foster their distinct roles and forge common goals for the future.
Eloquent, humorous and provocative, Shavit is a sought-after speaker in the US and Europe. Since the publication of My Promised Land at the end of 2013, Shavit has spoken at hundreds of events, often to standing room audiences, inspiring tens of thousands of Americans and Europeans.
Widely praised for its thought-provoking narrative of modern Jewish history, the Zionist project, and the geo-politics of the Middle East, My Promised Land has captivated decision-makers, scholars and cultural commentators in the United States, Europe and Israel. Among its avid readers are President Barak Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and former Israeli President Shimon Peres.
The book has won high praise from New York Times columnist Tom Friedman, who called it ‘‘a must-read… for its remarkable contribution to changing the conversation about Israel and building a healthier relationship with it’’. New Yorker editor David Remnick has described it as the best book about Israel written in the last 40 years. And renowned historian Simon Schama wrote that Shavit is ‘‘one of the most dazzling non-fiction writers alive.’’
The Economist called My Promised Land ‘‘spellbinding’’, adding that Shavit ‘‘reclaims the nobility of Zionism’’. Together with the New York Times, the Economist chose My Promised Land as one of the best ten books of the year.
Shavit is a frequent contributor to the New Yorker, the New York Times, the New Republic and The Sunday Times of London.