'Children of Abraham': Over a millennium of Jewish-Muslim relations – review

Marc David Baer's book, "Children of Abraham: The 1,400-Year History of Jewish-Muslim Relations," aims to provide a comprehensive and unmythologized account of Jewish-Muslim interactions from the 7th to the 21st century. Growing out of his teaching, Baer challenges the prevailing myths of either a utopian interfaith past or one of perpetual enmity, asserting that their relationship has encompassed both cooperation and rivalry. He highlights recurring themes such as religious symbiosis, the rise and fall of influential Jews, the impact of Christian relations, and the political use of historical myths.

"What was needed," Baer writes, "is a retelling of their relations without myth and counter-myth."

While striving for neutrality, the review notes that Baer's discussion of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and Israel's response, including casualty figures and targeting of infrastructure, omits crucial context regarding Hamas's use of civilian areas and disputed casualty statistics, potentially bolstering accusations against Israel. Despite this, the book is presented as an invaluable guide to understanding the complex and often antagonistic relationship between the Jewish and Muslim worlds, rejecting simplistic narratives in favor of a nuanced historical perspective.