You're Right, It Didn’t Start on October 7.
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is currently one of the most debated and emotional topics on social media. But beyond the headlines, protests, and
political slogans lies a far more complex story — one rooted in history, identity, religion, displacement, trauma, nationalism, and competing narratives that stretch back generations.
In Holy Moly Land, Ashley Waxman Bakshi takes readers on a deeply researched and highly accessible journey through the origins and evolution of the conflict, examining the events, ideologies, and historical turning points that continue to shape the Middle East today.
From ancient connections to the land and the rise of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism, to wars, terrorism, peace negotiations, media narratives, and the global polarization surrounding Israel and Palestine, the book untangles difficult topics in a way that is clear, engaging, and easy to follow.
Blending history with personal experience, Ashley explores how identity, culture, and political narratives influence the way people understand the conflict — and why so many conversations around it become emotionally charged and deeply divisive.
Rather than offering simplistic answers, Holy Moly Land invites readers to think critically, question assumptions, and better understand the human realities behind one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.
Whether you are approaching this subject for the first time or have followed it for years, this book offers an informative, thought-provoking, and deeply personal perspective on a conflict that continues to shape global politics and public discourse