With current events, I would like to read more about the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. International relations has never been a key area of interest for me, but as I have gotten older and developed a deeper interest in history in general, coupled with recent events, I would like to know more about what led to the current situation. I am looking for a book that is not highly slanted to either side, but sticks as much as possible to facts and an objective assessment of the history of this region. I would appreciate any recommendations that fit this description.
by RealClarity9606
2 Comments
Search this sub and booksuggestions sub. It’s been asked SO MUCH the past few days. Here is my suggestion:
The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction
*The whole “Very Short Introductions” series, by Oxford University Press, are really great for this sort of thing. Especially if you are starting on your learning journey. As unbiased as they can be. They are just there to lay out the basics as clear as possible, tell both sides, and give you direction for further reading.
Took a class on middle eastern history about a decade ago and kept this book:
Paris, 1919; Margaret MacMillan – this explains the divvy-up of the area during the Versailles Treaty negotiations that set the groundwork for the conflicts ever since. It’s complex because of all the political jockeying, but it’ll help make sense of the core conflict.
There was another one that explained the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and the effects of Nassar and the 1967 war, but I’ve forgotten it – you’ll definitely need to inform yourself on those.
Caveat: I’m not in any way a scholar on conflict in the Israel/Lebanan/Syria/Egypt/etc., area, but I’m a world history buff and old enough to have watched/read about events in those regions (omg every night in 70s and 80s) in news since the mid-70’s.