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A Path to Peace: A Brief History of Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations and a Way Forward in the Middle East
The “illuminating” ( Los Angeles Times ) answer to why Israel and Palestine’s attempts at negotiation have failed and a practical, “admirably measured” ( The New York Times ) roadmap for bringing peace to the Middle East—by an impartial American diplomat experienced in solving international conflicts.
George Mitchell knows how to bring peace to troubled regions. He was the primary architect of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement for peace in Northern Ireland. But when he served as US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace from 2009 to 2011—working to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—diplomacy did not prevail. Now, for the first time, Mitchell offers his insider account of how the Israelis and the Palestinians have progressed (and regressed) in their negotiations through the years and outlines the specific concessions each side must make to finally achieve lasting peace.
George Mitchell knows how to bring peace to troubled regions. He was the primary architect of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement for peace in Northern Ireland. But when he served as US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace from 2009 to 2011—working to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—diplomacy did not prevail. Now, for the first time, Mitchell offers his insider account of how the Israelis and the Palestinians have progressed (and regressed) in their negotiations through the years and outlines the specific concessions each side must make to finally achieve lasting peace.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published November 29, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 17, 2019
Some good information in here, but nothing groundbreaking since most of this is public knowledge at this point. It's a good summary if you are not familiar with the situation at all. The recommendations for our "next President" seem quaint given our current regime.
December 22, 2017
Former Senator George Mitchell is a widely respected peace negotiator, helping settle the long standing conflict in Northern Ireland, and having served as an intermediary in Israeli - Palestinian peace talks from 2009 - 2011. His book, "A Path to Peace", takes the reader through the history of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict over the past 70 years, talks about previous peace talks between the two, and then offers an outline for negotiating peace, based on the established step-by-step methods which proved successful in settling the longstanding dispute in Northern Ireland.
Mitchell's peace plan would result in two States, side-by-side, one being the Israeli State, and the other being the Palestinian State. This has been the stated goal of the Palestinians and Arab Nations in the region, and has been endorsed by the U.S. and Israeli leaders. However, as the delays drag on, and peace talks get postponed, support for that two state solution is losing support among many Israeli leaders, and many Palestinians as well. Peace talks in the past typically fail, or fail to even begin, due to the continuing settlement activity by Jewish settlers, which is a red-line to the Palestinians, and failure of Palestinian leaders to begin direct negotiations without pre-conditions. Security is a main concern of Netanyahu, and boundaries for a Palestinian state a main concern of PNA leader Abbas.
Mitchell envisioned the U.S. laying out a broad acceptable outline which would set a goal for, but not fully define boundaries for, a Palestinian State, which would call for a temporary end to settlement expansion into that envisioned territory, guarantee boundary security for Israel, and support the return of a number of refugees to return to the Palestinian state. The U.S. would be an essential partner in this effort, by guaranteeing Israel's security, along with NATO and other nations, and by creating an international fund to support returning refugees and settlers forced to relocate.
However, my guess is that whatever Mitchell envisioned will not get started. Mitchell wrote his book just before the 2016 Presidential elections, not being sure who would become the new President. But his hopes were that Obama would lay out a general approach for peace, and the next President would continue to refine the plan with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Disputes are created and continue by humans, and Mitchell feels that disputes can be resolved by humans. But that requires that they sit down and TALK. Mitchell feels that if a negotiator can meet with the leaders, and identify a take tiny, easy baby-step for one side, then take that to the other side and see if they'll make a reciprocal, tiny, easy baby-step in response, and then go back and forth, continuing the process, with the U.S. as guarantor, eventually the two side could gain trust and begin talking amongst themselves.
But, it appears Mitchell will have to write a new book now. Following President Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to "the Jewish Capital of Jerusalem", Palestinian leaders no longer see the U.S. as a credible mediator in this conflict. Many other Countries have already voiced concern that this declaration by the President would alienate Arab allies and further complicate prospects for a two-state solution, as evidenced by the December U.N. Security Council and General Council condemnations of this singular move.
George Mitchell himself, ever the diplomat, simply called the President's declaration "premature and unwise". So, unless President Trump's peace envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner can come up with a better plan, new negotiations by either party seem more unlikely in the near future, and things may have to get worse before they get better.
For the curious, see Mitchell's short interview on the subject from early December here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxE_R...
Mitchell's peace plan would result in two States, side-by-side, one being the Israeli State, and the other being the Palestinian State. This has been the stated goal of the Palestinians and Arab Nations in the region, and has been endorsed by the U.S. and Israeli leaders. However, as the delays drag on, and peace talks get postponed, support for that two state solution is losing support among many Israeli leaders, and many Palestinians as well. Peace talks in the past typically fail, or fail to even begin, due to the continuing settlement activity by Jewish settlers, which is a red-line to the Palestinians, and failure of Palestinian leaders to begin direct negotiations without pre-conditions. Security is a main concern of Netanyahu, and boundaries for a Palestinian state a main concern of PNA leader Abbas.
Mitchell envisioned the U.S. laying out a broad acceptable outline which would set a goal for, but not fully define boundaries for, a Palestinian State, which would call for a temporary end to settlement expansion into that envisioned territory, guarantee boundary security for Israel, and support the return of a number of refugees to return to the Palestinian state. The U.S. would be an essential partner in this effort, by guaranteeing Israel's security, along with NATO and other nations, and by creating an international fund to support returning refugees and settlers forced to relocate.
However, my guess is that whatever Mitchell envisioned will not get started. Mitchell wrote his book just before the 2016 Presidential elections, not being sure who would become the new President. But his hopes were that Obama would lay out a general approach for peace, and the next President would continue to refine the plan with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Disputes are created and continue by humans, and Mitchell feels that disputes can be resolved by humans. But that requires that they sit down and TALK. Mitchell feels that if a negotiator can meet with the leaders, and identify a take tiny, easy baby-step for one side, then take that to the other side and see if they'll make a reciprocal, tiny, easy baby-step in response, and then go back and forth, continuing the process, with the U.S. as guarantor, eventually the two side could gain trust and begin talking amongst themselves.
But, it appears Mitchell will have to write a new book now. Following President Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to "the Jewish Capital of Jerusalem", Palestinian leaders no longer see the U.S. as a credible mediator in this conflict. Many other Countries have already voiced concern that this declaration by the President would alienate Arab allies and further complicate prospects for a two-state solution, as evidenced by the December U.N. Security Council and General Council condemnations of this singular move.
George Mitchell himself, ever the diplomat, simply called the President's declaration "premature and unwise". So, unless President Trump's peace envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner can come up with a better plan, new negotiations by either party seem more unlikely in the near future, and things may have to get worse before they get better.
For the curious, see Mitchell's short interview on the subject from early December here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxE_R...
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January 20, 2017A useful primer that reflects George Mitchell's fair-mindedness.
June 25, 2025
Obviously a very biases assessment but I think it is nonetheless a very valuable one. I found the colonial settlement framework for understanding the Israeli settlement of historic Palestine as very helpful while at the same time disheartening and a little overwhelming. It felt like this was written for individuals who can't understand why Palestinians or Palestine-adjacent entities have committed the acts of violence that they have. While the author does not go out of his way to excuse or justify these acts of terror and violence, he certainly gives compelling reasons for them and helps the reader empathize with the plight of Palestinian refugees and the remnants of ancient Palestinian cultures confined to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. I would like to read a book written from an Israeli perspective on the matter simply out of curiosity, but I think this book provides a perspective that any Zionist or fundamentalist American should take the effort to understand and explore.
March 15, 2024
George Mitchell’s “A Path to Peace” - an optimistic book (in 2016) about the progress of Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts over the decades, America’s involvement and presidential engagement in the conflict.
May 17, 2025
After reading the history from both perspectives, it was nice to hear a perspective from the United States. They provide what’s necessary for peace to occur and the debates surrounding it. Solid, easy read.
September 14, 2018
Pretty decent and quick summary of actions in the Middle East and what it'll take for both Palestine and Israel to agree to peace.
January 16, 2024
A must read for anyone seeking to understand the long history of attempts to secure peace in the middle east.
February 17, 2024
Excellent book to understand the root of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews