Who Is Ilan Pappé? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ilan Pappé was born on November 7, 1954, making him 70 years old in 2025. An influential Israeli-British historian, Pappé is known for his critical views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his vocal advocacy for Palestinian rights. With a PhD from the University of Exeter, he has authored numerous books, including "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine," which sparked significant discussion and controversy. As a prominent figure in historical debates, his work continues to resonate within academic and popular circles.
| Occupation | Political Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 7, 1954 |
| Age | 70 Years |
| Birth Place | Haifa, Israel |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | Israel |
Popularity
Ilan Pappé's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Ilan Pappé’s height and weight are not extensively documented in public sources; however, he is known to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a public intellectual, his presence is more often noted in terms of his impactful voice rather than physical metrics.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Ilan Pappé's personal life remains primarily private. While he has not made any public announcements regarding a girlfriend or long-term partner, he has been known to share comments about the importance of family in his academic and personal life. It can be inferred that he values his family connections and might prefer to keep this aspect of his life away from the media spotlight.
His parents were German Jews who had fled Nazi persecution in the 1930s. At the age of 18, he was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and served in the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. He graduated from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.
He then moved to England to study history at the University of Oxford, completing a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree in 1984 under the supervision of British historians Albert Hourani and Roger Owen.
His doctoral thesis was titled "British foreign policy towards the Middle East, 1948-1951: Britain and the Arab-Israeli conflict" and this became his first book, titled Britain and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.
Net Worth and Salary
Ilan Pappé's estimated net worth in 2025 is approximately $1 million. His earnings mainly stem from his career as an author, lecturer, and commentator. His books and speaking engagements contribute to his financial stability, reflecting the demand for his insights on historical and political matters.
Career, Business and Investments
Ilan Pappé taught at the University of Exeter, where he contributed significantly to Middle Eastern studies. His career has been marked by both accolades and controversies, particularly regarding his views on the Israeli state and the Palestinian plight. Pappé has also been involved in various speaking tours and international conferences, expanding his influence and reach across academic and activist circles.
In addition to academia, he has pursued various projects, including documentaries and public talks aimed at raising awareness about Palestinian issues. His commitment to advocacy and historical accuracy underscores a lifelong dedication to his field of study.
Pappé left Israel in 2007 to take up his appointment in Exeter, after his endorsement of the boycott of Israeli universities led the president of the University of Haifa to call for his resignation.
Pappé said that he found it "increasingly difficult to live in Israel" with his "unwelcome views and convictions." In a Qatari newspaper interview explaining his decision, he said: "I was boycotted in my university and there had been attempts to expel me from my job. I am getting threatening calls from people every day.
I am not being viewed as a threat to the Israeli society but my people think that I am either insane or my views are irrelevant. Many Israelis also believe that I am working as a mercenary for the Arabs." He joined Exeter as Professor of History, and has been director of its European Centre for Palestine Studies since 2009.
Social Network
Ilan Pappé actively engages with his audience through social media. While the specifics of his social media presence in 2025 are not explicitly listed, he typically uses platforms like Twitter and Facebook to share his views and connect with scholars, students, and the general public. This engagement allows him to remain relevant in contemporary discussions around history and politics.
Pappé publicly supported an M.A. thesis by Haifa University student Teddy Katz, which was approved with highest honors, that claimed Israel had committed a massacre in the Palestinian village of Tantura during the war in 1948, based upon interviews with Arab residents of the village and with an Israeli veteran of the operation.
Neither Israeli nor Palestinian historians had previously recorded any such incident, which Meyrav Wurmser described as a "made-up massacre". According to Pappé, "the story of Tantura had already been told before, as early as 1950...
It appears in the memoirs of a Haifa notable, Muhammad Nimr al-Khatib, who, a few days after the battle, recorded the testimony of a Palestinian." In December 2000, Katz was sued for libel by veterans of the Alexandroni Brigade and after the testimony was heard, he retracted his allegations about the massacre.
Twelve hours later, he retracted his retraction. During the trial, lawyers for the veterans pointed to what they said were discrepancies between the taped interviews Katz conducted and descriptions in Katz's thesis.
Education
Pappé holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as well as a Master's degree in Political Science from the same institution. His doctoral work at the University of Exeter focused on the modern history of the Middle East, particularly the implications of colonialism. This strong educational foundation laid the groundwork for his future contributions as a historian and activist.
As we delve into Ilan Pappé's life in 2025, it's clear that he remains a steadfast figure in the discourse surrounding historical narratives and human rights. His journey reflects a commitment not only to academic rigor but also to social justice and advocacy for marginalized voices.
Ilan Pappé (born 7 November 1954) is an Israeli historian, political scientist, and former politician.
He is a professor with the College of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, director of the university's European Centre for Palestine Studies, and co-director of the Exeter Centre for Ethno-Political Studies.
Pappé was also a board member of the Israeli political party Hadash, and was a candidate on the party list in the 1996 and 1999 Israeli legislative elections.
