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Palestinians and Israelis: A short history of conflict
What are the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Why has it proved so intractable, and what are the implications of escalating tensions for both the Middle East and the world?
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is one of the most bitter struggles of modern times, with consequences that are felt around the globe. In this comprehensive and stimulating overview, Michael Scott-Baumann succinctly describes its causes and charts its history from the late nineteenth century to the present day.
Adopting a unique approach, each chapter starts with a lucid explanation of the politics and ends with a personal testimony from the diaries, interviews and memoirs of Israelis and Palestinians whose lives have been marked by conflict. By presenting competing interpretations from both sides, Scott-Baumann examines thekey flashpoints of the twentieth century including the early role of the British, the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the dramatic impact of the Six-Day War of 1967. The latter part of the book focuses on the nature of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, and resistance to it; a matter at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent decades.
The result is an indespensible account for anyone seeking to understand the context behind today's headlines, including analysis of why international efforts to restore peace have continually failed.
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is one of the most bitter struggles of modern times, with consequences that are felt around the globe. In this comprehensive and stimulating overview, Michael Scott-Baumann succinctly describes its causes and charts its history from the late nineteenth century to the present day.
Adopting a unique approach, each chapter starts with a lucid explanation of the politics and ends with a personal testimony from the diaries, interviews and memoirs of Israelis and Palestinians whose lives have been marked by conflict. By presenting competing interpretations from both sides, Scott-Baumann examines thekey flashpoints of the twentieth century including the early role of the British, the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the dramatic impact of the Six-Day War of 1967. The latter part of the book focuses on the nature of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, and resistance to it; a matter at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent decades.
The result is an indespensible account for anyone seeking to understand the context behind today's headlines, including analysis of why international efforts to restore peace have continually failed.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
258 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2021
39 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 1, 2024
An excellent historical and sociological overview of the history of Israel from Biblical times to the present day. Very clear and non-partisan.
February 14, 2025
TLDR:
This book has a lot of info but its tone shifts when the us gets involved and it becomes obvious that the books sources and references are being cherrypicked and I personally lost a lot of confidence in the book when big statements are made without the author being bothered to reference sources or dig into why or how those big claims are justified. Even so, I learned a lot. Need to find another book which is more even handed and describes the full picture.
Full review:
I wanted to understand the history of the conflict and looked for accessible looking books which did not have too obvious an agenda or opinion. I really prefer facts and observations and to come to a conclusion in my own. The initial chapters of the book followed this paradigm, I felt enlightened and interested and not screamed at. However after the last chapter describing the period of the British mandate, the tone changed dramatically to a point I felt like the facts were being lost in very strong arguments with little or any evidence and essentially it just felt like reading a long transcription of an emotional shouting activist in tv.
The book really did open my eyes to a lot of things but the sudden and dramatic drop in the amount of reference and argument ( he just jumped straight to the tldr conclusion) and only keeping enough references to give the impression like it is a solid book with good intentions to educate (as opposed to indoctrinate).
It’s also a bit obvious that it’s kind of history junk reading when you look at the references sections at the back that only English language western sources are used.
I mean it’s gonna be great for those who enjoy reenforcing an existing conclusion but I wouldn’t recommend this book if you are genuinely trying to understand the conflict from both sides. I w we int say anti sémitisme but I think most of the post mandate history has described all of the reactions from Israel with very little of any context about the situation at that time.
I’d find another book if you’re looking for a more neutral history in terms of the tune of the book.
This book has a lot of info but its tone shifts when the us gets involved and it becomes obvious that the books sources and references are being cherrypicked and I personally lost a lot of confidence in the book when big statements are made without the author being bothered to reference sources or dig into why or how those big claims are justified. Even so, I learned a lot. Need to find another book which is more even handed and describes the full picture.
Full review:
I wanted to understand the history of the conflict and looked for accessible looking books which did not have too obvious an agenda or opinion. I really prefer facts and observations and to come to a conclusion in my own. The initial chapters of the book followed this paradigm, I felt enlightened and interested and not screamed at. However after the last chapter describing the period of the British mandate, the tone changed dramatically to a point I felt like the facts were being lost in very strong arguments with little or any evidence and essentially it just felt like reading a long transcription of an emotional shouting activist in tv.
The book really did open my eyes to a lot of things but the sudden and dramatic drop in the amount of reference and argument ( he just jumped straight to the tldr conclusion) and only keeping enough references to give the impression like it is a solid book with good intentions to educate (as opposed to indoctrinate).
It’s also a bit obvious that it’s kind of history junk reading when you look at the references sections at the back that only English language western sources are used.
I mean it’s gonna be great for those who enjoy reenforcing an existing conclusion but I wouldn’t recommend this book if you are genuinely trying to understand the conflict from both sides. I w we int say anti sémitisme but I think most of the post mandate history has described all of the reactions from Israel with very little of any context about the situation at that time.
I’d find another book if you’re looking for a more neutral history in terms of the tune of the book.
January 20, 2022
Seemingly couldn’t have asked for a better summarization of the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Whether it’s my own takeaway from the book, or the facts do actually lean this way, the book nods more towards the Palestinian side (without any obvious favoritism).
Whether it’s my own takeaway from the book, or the facts do actually lean this way, the book nods more towards the Palestinian side (without any obvious favoritism).
August 24, 2024
I finished this book staring at the wall with my hand against my head.
This book reminds me of what I stand for and why without persuading me, but simply handing over the facts. This book requires centre stage in a British classroom where the Holocaust is taught as to not repeat history's mistakes, but to also deflect blame from the atrocities Britain had part in stirring up (for as long it continues to ignore accountability). History is repeating itself, and pupils should not be denied access to the facts of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to form their own criticisms and judgment.
That said, there are a few typos and one gets confused by a lack of clarity in the 5th Chapter (Palestinians and Israelis in the 1950s and 1960s).
This book is indeed 'Necessary and accessible', written by an author who created history revision guides for students, who decided to create a book approachable enough for anyone to understand. Undoubtedly, this ought to be an integral starting point in one's reading journey in understanding the conflict.
Although I wish more pages had been dedicated to solutions and organisations to support, this is explored in the epilogue. You are just left feeling frustrated with the yearning to achieve more.
This book reminds me of what I stand for and why without persuading me, but simply handing over the facts. This book requires centre stage in a British classroom where the Holocaust is taught as to not repeat history's mistakes, but to also deflect blame from the atrocities Britain had part in stirring up (for as long it continues to ignore accountability). History is repeating itself, and pupils should not be denied access to the facts of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to form their own criticisms and judgment.
That said, there are a few typos and one gets confused by a lack of clarity in the 5th Chapter (Palestinians and Israelis in the 1950s and 1960s).
This book is indeed 'Necessary and accessible', written by an author who created history revision guides for students, who decided to create a book approachable enough for anyone to understand. Undoubtedly, this ought to be an integral starting point in one's reading journey in understanding the conflict.
Although I wish more pages had been dedicated to solutions and organisations to support, this is explored in the epilogue. You are just left feeling frustrated with the yearning to achieve more.
April 17, 2024
Following the events of October 7th 2023, I have been not just appalled by what happened but baffled as to why.
This book has proved to be a very important read, enlightening me and helping me to make sense of the now daily TV news reports on this rapidly degenerating crisis.
If you too find yourself ignorant of the history of this troubled region and want to educate yourself, I would highly recommend that you make a start by reading Michael Scott-Baumann’s excellent book.
I was also very pleasantly surprised to find it even covers the events of October the 7th and its aftermath up to the end 2023. All in all, an essential read.
This book has proved to be a very important read, enlightening me and helping me to make sense of the now daily TV news reports on this rapidly degenerating crisis.
If you too find yourself ignorant of the history of this troubled region and want to educate yourself, I would highly recommend that you make a start by reading Michael Scott-Baumann’s excellent book.
I was also very pleasantly surprised to find it even covers the events of October the 7th and its aftermath up to the end 2023. All in all, an essential read.
July 20, 2025
Really really good summary of the last few hundred years (but mostly focused on events from WWI to today) in Israel/Palestine and how they've led to the current iteration of the conflict. It brings together perspectives from both sides and does not shy away from the international community's dereliction of duty when it comes to ensuring the protection of human rights and enforcing international law. While it is told fairly neutrally, I would struggle to understand how someone could see the history of conflict laid out so plainly and not be supportive of the Palestinian people's struggle for freedom.
August 15, 2024
Great read. I'd recommend to absolutely everyone. This was a great entry level read as I'm about to do a uni module on IP. I found the authors use of evidence and story telling was so compelling though his reliance on referencing Benny Morris was a bit repetitive. I wish the author would go more in depth however I think the conciseness of the content helps make it so accessible.
August 21, 2024
Is an accessible read for someone with little to no knowledge of the conflict.
The structure of the book is great, it takes you from the beginning of the conflict to now. It is an interesting mix between novel and textbook, as it provides much needed definitions of new concepts, maps and testimony from many different perspectives.
The structure of the book is great, it takes you from the beginning of the conflict to now. It is an interesting mix between novel and textbook, as it provides much needed definitions of new concepts, maps and testimony from many different perspectives.
January 16, 2024
"Palestinians and israelis will always be neighbours and an agreement based on equality and justice could enable both to live in peace and security. At present, however, that seems a distant prospect."
July 20, 2025
I was given this by someone as a "both-sided" approach to the conflict.
Strange that the 1947 war is described as "ethnic cleansing" and that the 750,000 Palestinian refugees are mentioned but the 850,000 Jewish refugees were not.
So much for "both-sided"
Strange that the 1947 war is described as "ethnic cleansing" and that the 750,000 Palestinian refugees are mentioned but the 850,000 Jewish refugees were not.
So much for "both-sided"
March 31, 2024
A very readable history of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, including the role of the British (e.g., the incompatible agreements that it made with various parties in the region).
April 9, 2024
Excellent primer.
April 24, 2024
A useful reminder of what's going on in the Levant as a result of the Peace To End All Peace after the end of WW1.
July 21, 2024
A great introduction to the topic for anyone who wants to know what’s been happening there.
August 1, 2024
Simply a book one must read before venturing on social media to express (reproduce) an opinion.
September 10, 2024
Concise, without emotion, easy to digest for a difficult subject.
March 28, 2024
A very accessible book into the history of conflict between Israel and Palestine. I wanted to add more depth to my knowledge in light of the genocide happening in Gaza right now. The more I learn about this history through various sources the more disbelief I feel that this has been allowed to happen for so long, and that in 2024 this is where we are in the political world stage.
Still I’ve learned a lot of the older history from the book and think it’s a must-read for anyone whether they want to understand the conflict or not.
Still I’ve learned a lot of the older history from the book and think it’s a must-read for anyone whether they want to understand the conflict or not.
January 26, 2024
Very accessible and useful overview, discussing the conflict up until October 2023. It provides valuable insight into the motivations, both political and personal, through the key events with interpretations from both sides. As unbiased as I imagine, texts on the subject are able to achieve.
November 10, 2023
This felt like a really important read. Well written, and showed both sides of history. Message me if you want to borrow the book!
November 23, 2023
Probably the most readable introduction on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict available.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews