Meir Shalev

Meir Shalev (Hebrew: מאיר שלו‎; born 29 July 1948) is an Israeli writer. Shalev's books have been translated into 26 languages.

Biography

Shalev was born in Nahalal, Israel. He is the son of the Jerusalem poet Yitzhak Shalev. His cousin Zeruya Shalev is also a writer. He began his career by presenting ironic features on television and radio. He also moderated the program Erev Shabbat ("Friday night") on Israel channel one. His first novel, The Blue Mountain, was published in 1988.

Shalev also writes non-fiction, children's books and a weekly column in the weekend edition of Yediot Ahronot.

He currently lives in the Jezreel Valley.

Views and opinions

Shalev identifies with the Israeli left and believes that the conflict with the Palestinians can be resolved by establishing two states for two peoples. However, he is disappointed with the extremism in the Palestinian camp: "Radical Palestinians still say that the only solution would be for all Jews to pack their bags and return to where their grandparents came from. When there are no more Jews left in the Middle East, then the problem is solved, according to their logic. As long as they continue to think that way, there will be no peace. We are here and we are going to stay. Only after that fact is generally accepted can progress be made.