Israel on Trial Examining the History, the Evidence, and the Law

"Israel at Stake: A Study of History, Evidence, and the Law" confronts the most controversial claims about Israel today by applying the methodology of legal reasoning to contemporary political discourse. This book, written by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman** asks an important and thought-provoking question: What happens when we test the most severe accusations—colonialism, apartheid, genocide—according to the standards of evidence we trust in courts? Drawing on archaeology, international treaties, and historical records, “Israel on Trial”_offers a systematic, evidence-based framework for understanding conflict in the Middle East. The book invites readers to think beyond slogans and buzzwords, by asking fundamental questions: Who has the relevant evidence? What do independent third parties think? What claims fall apart on scrutiny, and why do they persist? Altman's approach is based on five basic principles: start with physical evidence, seek independent verification, consider unqualified confessions, evaluate control of evidence, and treat lies as part of the factual record. These rules, refined in courtrooms, provide a guide for anyone seeking to engage in public debate. “Israel at Stake” is not just a defense of the legitimacy of one state, but a roadmap for thinking clearly, debating fairly, and making decisions wisely in an age of ideological distortion.