Books New Under the Sun: Early Zionist Encounters With the Climate in Palestine by Netta Cohen (Author)

The book "New Under the Sun: Early Zionist Encounters With the Climate in Palestine" by Netta Cohen explores how early Zionist settlers perceived and responded to the climate of Palestine from the late 1890s to the establishment of Israel in 1948. It examines Zionist knowledge production about the climate and environment, influenced by Eurocentric and colonial frameworks, through fields like medicine, botany, architecture, and economics. The book shows how Zionist claims to the land were intertwined with colonial practices and racial ideas, focusing on the settlers' efforts to adapt to and transform the climate via practices like tree planting. Cohen argues that Zionism's environmental engagement has similarities with other colonial projects in warmer climates, challenging ideas of its exceptionalism. This work was awarded the 2025 Turku Book Prize for its innovative contribution to environmental history and settler colonial studies, offering a nuanced perspective on the ecological and social impacts of Zionism in Palestine.​