Meir Shalev (; born 29 July 1948) is an Israeli writer and newspaper columnist for the daily Yedioth Ahronoth . Shalev's books have been translated into 26 languages. Biography Shalev was born in Nahalal, Israel. Later he lived in Jerusalem and at Ginosar with his family. He is the son of the Jerusalem poet Yitzhak Shalev. His cousin Zeruya Shalev is also a writer. Shalev was drafted into the IDF in 1966, and did his military service in the Golani Brigade. He served as a soldier, a squad leader in the brigade's reconnaissance company. Shalev fought in The Six Day War, and a few months after the war was injured in a friendly fire incident. 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 According to a January 2009 interview, 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, saying, "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." Awards and recognition Bernstein Prize (original Hebrew novel category) (1989) Brenner Prize (Israel) for A Pigeon and a Boy National Jewish Book Award for A Pigeon and a Boy (2007) Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, along with Michal Govrin, in 2018 Published works Fiction 1988 The Blue Mountain (1988, originally published in Hebrew as Roman Rusi) English translation in 1991 by Hillel Halkin. Reprinted, 2010 1991 Esau 1994 As a Few Days, also called The Four Meals or The Loves of Judith 1998 His House in the Desert (or "Alone in the Desert") 2002 Fontanelle 2006 A Pigeon