Original Sin: Israel, Palestine and the Revenge of Old West Asia by Johny Stanly, published in 2024, is a powerful and thought-provoking book that explores one of the most complicated and emotional conflicts of modern times. Written in clear and simple language, this book is not an academic thesis but a reporter’s journal filled with real experiences, deep analysis, and sharp insights. Stanly takes readers through the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict, highlighting how past events, political decisions, and international interests continue to shape the region’s present-day turmoil. With a focus on the October 2023 Hamas attack and the devastating war in Gaza that followed, the book questions global silence, shifting alliances, and the forgotten voices of Palestinians. Drawing on personal reporting trips, interviews, and regional history, this book is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the roots of violence, power struggles, and unresolved tensions in West Asia.
In Original Sin, Stanly Johny highlights the staggering human toll of the conflict over 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza and 3,000 people in Lebanon have been killed by Israeli operations since October 7, 2023, in retaliation to the Hamas attacks that claimed 1,200 Israeli lives. The book also notes the mass displacement of Palestinians, especially in Gaza, where families are forced to cross corridors like Netzarim under siege, reflecting a deepening humanitarian crisis.
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Book Availability, Formats, and Pricing of Original Sin
Original Sin: Israel, Palestine and the Revenge of Old West Asia by Johny Stanly was published on 15 December 2024 by HarperCollins Publishers India. The book is written in English and has a total of 280 pages. It is available in both paperback and Kindle editions. The paperback is priced at ₹323, while the Kindle version is more affordable at just ₹172, making it a convenient and budget-friendly option for readers who prefer digital access. Kindle also allows instant delivery, easy portability, and features like highlighting and adjustable fonts. The book can be purchased online from platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Goodreads and other major online bookstores.
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About the Author: Stanly Johny
Dr. Stanly Johny, originally from Kerala, India, is a seasoned journalist and good at writing in-depth analyses on global politics. He is a senior journalist currently working as the International Affairs Editor at The Hindu. He specializes in global politics, with a strong focus on West Asia, and writes extensively on diplomacy, conflict, and international relations. He completed his PhD in International Studies from the Centre for West Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
Over the years, he has reported from key global cities such as Washington DC, Moscow, Brussels, Amman, Tel Aviv, Ramallah, and Seoul, offering in-depth coverage and analysis from conflict zones and political centers. Apart from journalism, he has contributed insights to well-known institutions, including the Middle East Institute in Washington DC and the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi.
Stanly Johny has also authored notable books such as The ISIS Caliphate: From Syria to the Doorsteps of India (2018) and The Comrades and the Mullahs (2022). His work reflects a combination of academic knowledge and field reporting, making him a respected voice on issues related to West Asia and global strategic affairs.
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Thematic Analysis of Original Sin
Stanly Johny’s Original Sin is a powerful and necessary intervention in the global discourse around the Israel-Palestine conflict. Blending first-hand reporting, interviews, and geopolitical research, Johny delivers a sharp, accessible, and deeply informed analysis of one of the world’s longest-running conflicts. This book moves beyond headlines and highlights key political, historical, and human aspects that continue to shape the fate of West Asia.
- The Legacy of Historical Conflict: One of the book’s central messages is that the current war cannot be understood without acknowledging the long historical backdrop. Original Sin opens with the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the deadly war in Gaza that followed. But Johny insists that “history didn’t begin on October 7.” The conflict’s roots go back to 1948 and earlier, as he explores how colonial legacies, forced displacement, military occupations, and failed peace processes have created a permanent crisis in the region. By doing so, the book rejects the narrow framing of recent events and insists on a fuller, more honest narrative.
- West Asia’s Unresolved Question of Palestine: The title Original Sin itself refers to what the author identifies as West Asia’s deepest wound which is the unresolved issue of Palestine. While the Abraham Accords of 2020 normalized ties between Israel and several Arab nations, Johny argues that these moves ignored the central grievance of the Palestinian people: occupation, displacement, and lack of sovereignty. Without addressing this core injustice, all diplomatic efforts risk being short-term and superficial. The author stresses that lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved unless the original question of Palestinian statehood is resolved.
- A Ground-Level Reality of Human Costs and Daily Realities: Stanly Johny’s strength lies in his ability to humanize political issues. Drawing from his own experiences, such as being detained by Israeli forces while reporting from Ramallah, he brings to light the lived realities of Palestinians under occupation. In Original Sin, he vividly describes the daily humiliations at checkpoints, the towering “separation wall” deemed illegal by international courts, and how entire communities organize life under siege. The stories of individuals like peace activist Vivian Silver, killed in the Hamas attack which illustrate how violence knows no boundaries and often claims those working toward reconciliation.
- Disproportionate Power and a Lopsided Conflict: Johny does not shy away from exposing the stark imbalance between Israel and Palestine. In Original Sin, he details how Palestinians, many of them children and youth face bullets and bombs in response to stone-throwing or protests. The expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, especially during the Trump era, has further eroded the possibility of a two-state solution. The book presents data, such as the loss of over 25% of the West Bank’s GDP due to Israeli restrictions, to show how occupation continues to paralyze Palestinian development and freedom.
- Armed Resistance as a Response to Oppression: Original Sin handles the complex issue of Palestinian resistance with nuance. Johny neither glorifies nor dismisses violence but explains how, historically, Israel made concessions only under sustained pressure. Citing examples like the 1957 Gaza withdrawal and the Oslo Accords, the book explores how Palestinian resistance both violent and non-violent has often forced diplomatic openings. Johny argues that without addressing the root causes, armed resistance will remain a recurring feature, as people denied basic rights to seek to assert their identity and claim their land.
- Religion, Identity, and Misused Narratives: Although religion often frames the Israel-Palestine debate, Johny shows in Original Sin that the issue is more political than religious. He highlights how Christians, Muslims, and Jews coexist in places like Bethlehem’s Manger Square, proving that peaceful coexistence is possible. The book also critiques how the Israeli government often labels criticism of its policies as anti-Semitic, even when it comes from Jewish voices like Jewish Voice for Peace or Holocaust survivors protesting in Washington. This conflation, the author argues, is used to silence dissent and global scrutiny.
- The Shifting Geopolitics of West Asia: Stanly Johny gives readers a sweeping view of how regional and global politics influence the conflict. Original Sin explains how the US-led “New Middle East” plan, the Abraham Accords, and Iran’s ties with Hamas have influenced the changing politics of West Asia. The book also delves into India’s changing stance from its historic support for Palestine to its current ties with Israel which highlight how diplomatic interests often override moral or historical positions. Johny warns that sidelining the Palestinian cause for short-term alliances will only create more instability. This transformation, while reflective of global trends, raises ethical questions about India’s current silence on Israeli aggression and its long-term implications for its image in the Global South. Johny urges readers to critically examine how such diplomatic rebalancing impacts both domestic perceptions and international credibility.
- Why Peace Remains Elusive: Ultimately, Original Sin asks a hard question: how can peace be achieved when one side controls the land, movement, economy, and borders of the other? The book argues that without equal rights, dignity, and recognition of Palestinian statehood, any ceasefire or negotiation is temporary. Johny concludes that peace is not hindered by Palestinian radicalism, but by the absence of justice and the continuation of occupation. A lasting resolution requires acknowledging this imbalance and creating a path toward equality.
- Failure of Global Institutions and Western Double Standards: Original Sin delivers a scathing critique of international institutions like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, highlighting their failure to hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes and ongoing occupation. Johny points out how resolutions are routinely blocked, investigations stalled, and violations overlooked especially when the perpetrator is backed by powerful Western nations. He also explores the glaring double standards in global diplomacy: while similar acts elsewhere prompt sanctions and outrage, Israeli policies often receive tacit approval or outright support. The book emphasizes how this selective morality erodes faith in international law and creates an environment where justice is denied to the Palestinian people.
- The Media and the Dehumanization of Palestinian Identity: In Original Sin, Johny powerfully addresses how mainstream global media plays a role in shaping perceptions of the Israel-Palestine conflict. He argues that Palestinians are frequently portrayed either as aggressors or passive victims, with little attention paid to their lived experiences, aspirations, or resistance. By focusing heavily on Israeli security concerns and underreporting on occupation, displacement, and civilian suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, media narratives contribute to the erasure of Palestinian voices. Johny challenges this representation by sharing ground-level observations and stories from his travels, reminding readers that the conflict is not just about geopolitics but it is about real people whose humanity has been systematically ignored.
Why This Book Deserves Your Attention
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Book is a masterful and deeply analytical work that gives meaning to the widely echoed sentiment: “History did not begin on October 7th, 2023”, urging readers to see the present crisis through the lens of decades of occupation, resistance, and unresolved injustice. Original Sin by Stanly Johny is a well-researched book consisting of eight chapters that provide a clear and factual understanding of the Israel-Palestine conflict. It begins with the origins of Zionism through the life of Theodor Herzl and moves through major events like the Balfour Declaration and the First Arab-Israeli War of 1948. Written from the perspective of a journalist, the book presents ground-level realities, including the continued oppression faced by Palestinians under Israeli control.
The narrative goes beyond Israel and Palestine, covering regional dynamics such as the Iran-Israel conflict, the history and role of Hamas and Hezbollah, and even connects with global events like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The final chapters focus on the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and provide a sharp analysis of India’s changing stance on the issue. With authentic sources, historical facts, and personal reporting experiences, Original Sin offers a detailed and engaging account of one of the world’s most enduring and complex conflicts.
Final Thoughts
Original Sin by Stanly Johny is more than a chronicle of war but it is a powerful reminder of what happens when justice is delayed and history is distorted. With empathy, evidence, and clarity, the author provides a much-needed framework to understand the Israel-Palestine conflict beyond news headlines. This book is essential reading for those who seek not just to follow the war, but to understand the roots of resistance, the geopolitics of occupation, and the human stories caught in between.
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