Israel / Palestine

by Alan Dowty

What explains the peculiar intensity and evident intractability of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Of all the "hot spots" in the world today, the apparently endless clash between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East seems unique in its longevity and resistance to resolution. Is this conflict really different from other ethnic and nationalist confrontations, and if so, in what way? In this fully revised and expanded fourth edition of his highly respected introductory text, Alan Dowty demystifies the conflict by putting it in broad historical perspective, identifying its roots, and tracing its evolution up to the current impasse. His account offers a clear analytic framework for understanding transformations over time, and in doing so, punctures the myths of an "age-old" conflict with an unbridgeable gap between the two sides. Rather than simply reciting historical detail, this book presents a clear overview that serves as a road map through the thicket of conflicting claims. Updated to include recent developments, such as the clashes in the Gaza Strip and the latest diplomatic initiatives, the new edition presents in full the opposed perspectives of the two sides, leaving readers to make their own evaluations of the issues. The book thus expresses fairly and objectively the concerns, hopes, fears, and passions of both sides, making it clear why this conflict is waged with such vehemence – and how, for all that, the gap between the two sides has narrowed over time.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Israel, Middle East, Judaism

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Alan Dowty (b. 1940) is a scholar of political science specializing in Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His numerous books include The Limits of American Isolation and The Jewish State: A Century Later. Dowty received his undergraduate education at Shimer College, where he enrolled via the early entrance program and graduated in 1959. He completed his graduate work at the University of Chicago, where he received his Ph.D. in 1963. He taught at Notre Dame University from 1975 until retirement. (source: Shimer College Wiki)

Reviews

[E.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few good books on the Israel / Palestine problem. Notably Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn and Palestine. This one was an empathetic and unbiased (scared of using the term but seems apt) look at the issue. Both sides of every issue in the conflict have been presented by the author - where possible in the words of the protagonists themselves.
IMO, it is not a complex problem. The history is complex and think Palestinians were wronged by Zionism. BUT, the solution/peace depends on getting both parties to agree on this question :-
Does Israel (as a Jewish homeland) have a right to exist ?
Right now, I think Palestinians who are a peaceful, non-violent, tolerant people ! - do not think so !
I get many of my non-fiction recommendations from podcasts and this gem was one of them.
PS:- Many people are unaware that an equal no. of Jews were forcibly expelled by the Arab nations in the 1940s to Israel. So, the refugee problem is two-sided.

[Michael Griswold · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the most emotionally charged conflict in the entire specter of global conflict. Sadly, the passion and emotion of the conflict is often translated to many of the books written on the conflict. This creates books that tend to lean towards one side or the other, and in some cases have proven downright hostile to the other side. Alan Dowty in the third edition of Israel and Palestine has done something that I truly thought impossible in writing a book that is fairly balanced between the two sides.

Dowty acts as a neutral observer, standing on an imaginary line that divides the two sides. He lays out the Israeli side and Palestinian side without taking sides. Many common myths are dispelled including the myth that the conflict is centuries old, and perhaps most importantly that the conflict is unsolvable. Indeed, Israeli-Palestinian leaders have come tantalizingly close. If you want a solid book to provide the nuts and bolts of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, start here.

[Jennifer Plummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dowty meticulously focuses on both sides in the conflict between the Israeli Jews and the Palestinian Arabs. He begins with the early stages of the Middle East and works his way up through the Ottoman Empire, the Cold War, and ends with current issues concerning extremist groups. This is a book for anyone is interested in better understanding the reason for the conflict and he doesn't attempt to sway you to one side of the issue or another. Throughout the reading, I felt myself pulled back and forth in my sympathies.

[Benjamin Kuperholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this is the best book you can read to get a good overview of the conflict. Dowty does an incredible job in providing a detailed analysis that considers both perspectives, and is always reinforced by evidence. The book isn’t too long, but is packed with information without feeling overwhelming.

Even better, there is an excellent list of additional readings for exploration after finishing to broaden your horizons on specific aspects or events.

For anyone interested in the geopolitics of the region, I couldn’t think of a better book to start with.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book it really delves into the issues of Israelis versus Palestinians and the issues that have rose between them. Though it does not give you the complete picture of the issue he covers them about as well as you can in a book without becoming too bland.

[Christopher St · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding and unbiased. It is unfortunate that a fair look at a situation is less exhilarating than the so many polarized accounts it competes with.

[Pinko Palest · Rating 1 out of 5]

a fervently pro-Israel book, masquerading as balanced and unprejudiced. At least, it is not the Likud take on things, but it doesnt even get to grips with the rise of the Israeli right

[Alan Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good historical overview. Depressing in a way because it gives no hope of resolution to this conflict, but important to know the facts.

[James Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akin to balancing a marble on a stick this author has achieved the near impossible of resolutely keeping to the middle ground and allowing actions, decisions and statements to speak for themselves.
Dowty’s discussion of what the Palestinians describe as the Nakba (catastrophe) of their 1948 exodus/ removal of over half a million and the subsequent refusal by the Israeli government to allow for the return of refugees as per UN Resolution 194 on the basis that would need to be part of overall reconciliation is a leit motif for this sad and troubled imbroglio.
Even more so when the Israelis ultimately took possession of the Palestinian properties via their euphemistic Custodian of Abandoned Properties resulting in their permanent displacement which possibly explains why in the current crisis the Palestinians were reluctant to take up the “offer” to flee from Gaza.
There are many similarly understated but highly persuasive examples dotted throughout this book which has the reader shaking their head at the calumny by both sides.
A great read

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the be all and end all of summaries but the way Dowry presents the Jewish and Palestinian narratives early on and the last two chapters are very lucid on the pitfalls of the peace process and problems to overcome (not late enough published to include Trumps Peace Plan nonsense) got an extra star.

Feel like it needed another 100 pages to breathe and get a real feel for the internal dynamics of the PLO and the PA as well as the Israeli side of things over time. But still reasonable but will be reading other things.

It's reasonably balanced as things go but will be reading others as one must.

[Charlie Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Occasionally dry but otherwise very readable history of the Palestine Israel conflict. An unbiased account that lays out the facts of the conflict between these two peoples logically and clearly. It challenges the reader to draw their own conclusions with respect to how this very emotional issue should be settled. Recommended and well worth reading if you want a better understanding of one of the most important issues that dominate world politics.

[Greg]

Not going to lie, I'm proud of myself for reading this. I haven't read other things on the subject so I can't speak with authority, but it felt balanced and well researched. I'm glad I read it and feel much better informed than before.

[Meirav Rath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm recommending this book to just about anyone who wants to know about the conflict.
I'm Israeli and this book was refreshing in how balanced and informed it was, it was a work of art. Especially for a British scholar.

[Lea Hadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical and honest presentation of the Israel/Palestine conflict since well before the birth of Christ until present day. Alan does not take sides,just presents facts and thinkings at particular points in history. A ‘heavy’ book to read, but well worth it.

[Irl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very balanced, first read ahead of visiting the region.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear, concise introduction to a very complex dispute.

[Tom Beaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and provides a good overview of what is a very complex topic.

[IB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balanced, honest, and thorough overview of the conflict; equipped me well for my trip!

[Keegan Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to imagine a more perfect survey text on the region. Particularly love the analytical conflict-resolution aspect to it.

[Carolyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive history of both Palestine and Israel. If you want to understand the conflict between these two groups of people, this book is the starting point.

[Carla (Carla's Book Bits) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was insanely interesting, wow. I learned so much, as a person who came into this with little to no knowledge of the conflict beyond what my friends are sharing on social media.

The Israel/Palestine conflict has been blowing up all over the news and social media, with lots of people vehemently arguing from each side. I have to say I've even lost friends over this. The overall feeling in my social circle has been really vicious. So my intent on reading this book was to gain some perspective: learn some "facts of the case," have a more solid ground for my opinions, and be able to talk about my points more intelligently.

It's impossible to not have an opinion on this genocide as it's happening before our eyes, and it's important not to feel some type of emotion from it all. This book does a good job of being neutral; it presents the case for each side equally. However, you will gain some opinions from reading this book regardless. Also, I have to say this book is dry reading. It can be dense with information and historical dates, so I really suggest reading it slowly, pausing to translate the facts into human experience, and taking notes if it helps.

This book is a good one to read if you're just starting out in learning about Israel and Palestine's ongoing war. It's obvious to me who got the shortest end of the stick because of the policies and short-sightedness of every group involved (spoiler: it was the Palestinians. There's lots of historical evidence that early Zionists and the UK just simply didn't care about encroaching into this territory because the people who lived there were "farmers and were lowly" or "they just deserved it." This has been a clear common theme for decades). Now that this conflict is being looked at the scale that it is, I hope to see a proper resolution in this lifetime. This will definitely not be the last book I read in order to understand this genocide.

[Hayden Cole-Rajotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise, impartial and informative book on the Israel/Palestine conflict. It carefully explains both sides arguments and rational in the conflict and how positions and perspectives have changed over time. Would like to see a bit more focus on economic and social policy approaches but this is nonetheless a very comprehensive book. I read the Second Edition from 2008, although a third edition released in 2012 is also available. I would not be surprised if a further 4th edition is released in the next couple of years too.

[Julian Ranz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads more like a textbook (in a good way). I appreciated that it stuck to giving only facts and then letting the reader derive his own opinions along the way.
He does give insight into how daily people thought about the events unfolding through the responses of polls, but I wish there was a bit more detail into that angle of the conflict (maybe I just need to read another book that dives into more anecdotal evidence of these events and let this one just stick to facts)

[Gary C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The single best introductory book I have found on this subject. The author provides thorough background information on the crucial period beginning in the second half of the 19th century, through today. He also consistently tries to show the point of view of both sides, without pushing an agenda. I repeatedly found the author providing answers to questions I was developing while reading.

[raymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent analogy of the Palestine problem

I have been looking for an accurate and balanced book on this historic subject for a while now and I believe the author has provided it. considered opinions and well sourced.

[Anoud Alammar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbiasedness and objectivity are definitely a cherry on top to Dowty's very well written book on the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. I was supposed to read a part of this book for a class, and ended up reading the whole thing. It contains a very easy-to-follow timeline at end of the book.

[Rachele Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

very balanced/objective. very informative.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Packs a lot of information into a relatively short space. I found this to an extremely helpful, well written and clear explanation of the Israeli/Palestinian situation.

[Johanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good even handed analysis of the historical issues around this area. Not exactly a fun read but informative

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for understanding the situation.