Milton Viorst, who combined journalism and history in order to prefigure the The chaotic effects of the 2003 invasion by America of Iraq the Inimprobability for peace the Middle East died in Washington, Dec. 9, unless Israel recognized a Palestinian state. He was 92.
His wife was the Judith Viorst is the author the The cause of his death at the hospital was Covid-19.
American Jew and self-described liberal Democrat Mr. Viorst warned that the American invasion of Iraq the Iran militants would be empowered if Saddam Hussein was toppled the region. Also, he argued that America subverting Zionist goals by making almost every request to acquire advanced weaponry was a way of killing Israel and turning it into an international superpower.
Over seven decades, in 10 books, regular columns for The New Yorker and many essays, book reviews and other articles for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Harper’s Magazine and Foreign Affairs, he synthesized shoe-leather reporting with scholarly insights into the Roots of Arab Nationalism Middle East conflict dating back to the seventh century.
“Whatever the military mismatch, the West has not had an easy time subduing the Arabs,” Viorst, Mr. “Storm From the East: The Struggle Between the Arab World and the Christian West” (2006).
“America’s war in Iraq, igniting an explosion of Arab nationalism, is the latest round in this long contest,” He was satisfied. “To see it otherwise is to deny the evidence of history.”
He once described his book “Sands of Sorrow: Israel’s Journey From Independence” (1987) “part journalism, part historical and political commentary, part personal odyssey” Starting at the Perspective of a Jewish American.
A colloidal analysis of facts and opinions is necessary to generate a cohesive analysis the Minefield of Middle The task of Eastern diplomacy on its own was difficult enough. He came up with more. the He received criticism.
He was a supporter of Israel’s existence, as evidenced by a review he wrote in The New York Times in 1984 of “Warriors for Jerusalem,” A book on the Donald Neff’s 1967 War, which was described the Conflict is “the worst tragedy in the modern history of the Middle East.”
“But if one accepts as an axiom Israel’s existence — as I do and as, I believe, Mr. Neff does, too — then the Six-Day War settled a great deal,” He wrote. “It persuaded all the parties that Israel would not be destroyed by arms. De facto, it legitimized Israel. Thereafter, political legitimation inexorably has to follow.”
Viorst also added that the war was ongoing “was a necessary prelude to the peace that now exists between Israel and Egypt.”
He supported a Palestinian separate state. the West Bank the Only way to peace. He insisted on that the Strong flow of advanced weapons from the United States to Israel, requested by “Israel lobby” He was one of the most conservative American Jews and had changed Israel’s original visions. He also believed that Israel should recognize the rights of all people. the Palestine Liberation Organization is a potential negotiating partner.
Examining “Sands of Sorrow” John C. Campbell described it in Foreign Affairs “remarkably perceptive, honest, well written and understanding of the views and motives of all parties concerned” It explores how “Israel has become an aggressive regional superpower.”
He was also known as Mr. Viorst the Criticism from scholars of Islam like Edward Said made me a victim the Columbia University Professor who was a leader in the field of the Palestinian Cause
In 1999, Professor Said accused M. Viorst in a The Nation magazine debate. “Orientalist ignorance” And “racist highhandedness” For praising the The legacy of King Hussein II of Jordan
Also, Mr. Viorst was charged the He was the object of President Richard M. Nixon’s wrath. He was one of the many. the 220 individuals and organizations on an expanded version of Nixon’s so-called enemies list after he joined other writers and editors in 1968 in pledging not to pay taxes as a protest against the Vietnam War
He opposes the He stated that war seemed to be enough for him to be qualified for military service. the list. His book “Fire in the Streets: America in the 1960s” (1980), his writings about the political system’s inability to accommodate the “dynamism” This the War and other problems were unleashed.
A few of his books include “Hostile Allies: FDR and Charles de Gaulle” (1965), “Sandcastles: The Arabs in Search of the Modern World” (1994), “In the Shadow of the Prophet: The Struggle for the Soul of Islam” (1998) “Storm From the East: The Struggle between the Arab World and the Christian West” (2006).
Milton Viorst, a shoe salesman, was born February 18, 1930 in Paterson. Betty (LeVine) Viorst his mother was both a homemaker and a sales clerk.
After graduating from Eastside High School in Paterson, he earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Rutgers University in 1951. After that, he studied at Rutgers University. at the Fulbright scholar at University of Lyon (France) and two years in Air Force Intelligence. He earned master’s degrees in history from Harvard University in 1955 and in journalism from Columbia University in 1956.
First, he worked for The Bergen Record, New Jersey, and then from 1957 to 1961. at The Washington Post. Later, he wrote for The Sunday Review in Washington. He was also a columnist for The Washington Star.
He was also married to his wife. the writer of popular children’s books including “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” (1972) He is survived by Nicholas, Anthony and Alexander, and seven grandchildren.
You can see his prescience. the His warnings about the Iraq War and any permanence Middle East peace agreement would depend on Israel’s acceptance of a Palestinian state, Mr. Viorst’s vision of the Six-Day War’s impact remains unfulfilled.
“It started a process, however halting,” He wrote nearly four decades ago. “which still carries a promise of peace in our time between Israel and its other neighbors.”
