Revolutionising combat medicine in Gaza

In his beautifully-illustrated, illuminating new book, Dr Tuvia Book helps unravel one of the central mysteries of the last three years – and the last 3500 years.

Since October 7, many people around the world marvel at Israel’s resilience – sometimes silently, not often enough publicly. Think about it, Israel not only bounced back after an unprecedented barbaric massacre, but it also punched back so effectively, we will be celebrating the geopolitical achievements years from now. And rather than this rebound being an anomaly in Jewish history, it’s a common characteristic. We are the Phoenix people. We get knocked down, even burned, and we rise again and again.

What is our secret? Many wonder. Book’s book makes it clear: “people power.”

Jews – in this case Israelis – have long exhibited impressive buoyancy, remarkable courage, enduring values, and an unquenchable love of life. Heroes of PALMAR highlights one case study, emphasising the combat medical professionals. These everyday superheroes swoop in, sometimes under enemy fire, to save apparent strangers who are fellow citizens and comrades in arms.

This book, however, is no abstract treatise. It’s a memoir and photo-essay because Tuvia Book is not just the combat medics’ chronicler, but a combat medic himself. He’s a reservist, deep into his 50s, who like so many other Israelis, just couldn’t stay home after October 7.