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The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace
Two prominent Israeli liberals argue that for the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to end with peace, Palestinians must come to terms with the fact that there will be no "right of return."
In 1948, seven hundred thousand Palestinians were forced out of their homes by the first Arab-Israeli War. More than seventy years later, most of their houses are long gone, but millions of their descendants are still registered as refugees, with many living in refugee camps. This group—unlike countless others that were displaced in the aftermath of World War II and other conflicts—has remained unsettled, demanding to settle in the state of Israel. Their belief in a "right of return" is one of the largest obstacles to successful diplomacy and lasting peace in the region.
In The War of Return, Adi Schwartz and Einat Wilf—both liberal Israelis supportive of a two-state solution—reveal the origins of the idea of a right of return, and explain how UNRWA—the very agency charged with finding a solution for the refugees—gave in to Palestinian, Arab and international political pressure to create a permanent “refugee” problem. They argue that this Palestinian demand for a “right of return” has no legal or moral basis and make an impassioned plea for the US, the UN, and the EU to recognize this fact, for the good of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
A runaway bestseller in Israel, the first English translation of The War of Return is certain to spark lively debate throughout America and abroad.
In 1948, seven hundred thousand Palestinians were forced out of their homes by the first Arab-Israeli War. More than seventy years later, most of their houses are long gone, but millions of their descendants are still registered as refugees, with many living in refugee camps. This group—unlike countless others that were displaced in the aftermath of World War II and other conflicts—has remained unsettled, demanding to settle in the state of Israel. Their belief in a "right of return" is one of the largest obstacles to successful diplomacy and lasting peace in the region.
In The War of Return, Adi Schwartz and Einat Wilf—both liberal Israelis supportive of a two-state solution—reveal the origins of the idea of a right of return, and explain how UNRWA—the very agency charged with finding a solution for the refugees—gave in to Palestinian, Arab and international political pressure to create a permanent “refugee” problem. They argue that this Palestinian demand for a “right of return” has no legal or moral basis and make an impassioned plea for the US, the UN, and the EU to recognize this fact, for the good of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
A runaway bestseller in Israel, the first English translation of The War of Return is certain to spark lively debate throughout America and abroad.
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Published February 13, 2025
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About the author
Einat Wilf
11 books46 followersEinat Wilf (Hebrew: עינת וילף, born 11 December 1970) is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Independence and the Labor Party.
Einat Wilf was born in Jerusalem. She studied at the Hebrew University Secondary School. During her national service in the Israel Defense Forces she was an Intelligence Officer in Unit 8200 and reached the rank of lieutenant. She then went to Harvard University, receiving a BA in government and fine arts, before earning an MBA from INSEAD in France, and subsequently a PhD in political science at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge.
She completed her military service as an Intelligence Officer in Unit 8200 with the rank of Lieutenant.
Wilf is married to German journalist and television personality Richard Gutjahr. She gave birth to their son in 2010.
Wilf describes herself as a Zionist and an atheist.
Einat Wilf was born in Jerusalem. She studied at the Hebrew University Secondary School. During her national service in the Israel Defense Forces she was an Intelligence Officer in Unit 8200 and reached the rank of lieutenant. She then went to Harvard University, receiving a BA in government and fine arts, before earning an MBA from INSEAD in France, and subsequently a PhD in political science at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge.
She completed her military service as an Intelligence Officer in Unit 8200 with the rank of Lieutenant.
Wilf is married to German journalist and television personality Richard Gutjahr. She gave birth to their son in 2010.
Wilf describes herself as a Zionist and an atheist.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 24, 2025
Interesting premise, this book argues that the core of the Israel/Palestine conflict centers around the "right of return" for Palestinian refugees from 1948 and that since the Gorbachev era, Palestinian leaders have hidden that primary motive from the international community. I was curious and so picked up this book. It's not easy reading, some of it is repetitive, and it's not fun, it's a lot of people being frustrating. I also wish that some quotes were longer and and the sources cited closer to the figures/quotes than at the end of the sentence as some sentences could have contained multiple sources.
Still, the argument presented was well substantiated and if this is the primary reason the conflict continues, raises the questions: Is there a right to return? How far down the generations does that right go? And ultimately, what compromises are the Palestinians ready to make for peace? I'd say Israel has answered the compromises it is willing to make: land concessions, possibly absorbing some of the refugees but not all; but if the book is accurate, the Palestinians aren't willing to make compromises: either all refugees are allowed to return or the fight continues. That's pretty bleak.
Still, the argument presented was well substantiated and if this is the primary reason the conflict continues, raises the questions: Is there a right to return? How far down the generations does that right go? And ultimately, what compromises are the Palestinians ready to make for peace? I'd say Israel has answered the compromises it is willing to make: land concessions, possibly absorbing some of the refugees but not all; but if the book is accurate, the Palestinians aren't willing to make compromises: either all refugees are allowed to return or the fight continues. That's pretty bleak.
Displaying 1 of 1 review