The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Contested Histories

The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Contested Histories offers non-specialist readers insights into the causes and consequences of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A general introduction is followed by a detailed historical overview of the issues that have defined more than a century of political tensions and open hostilities.

Caplan highlights the tangible issues over which the parties are fighting, but returns frequently to examine some of the more intangible underlying factors that continue to hamper a peaceful resolution, such as the mutual sense of victimization shared by both parties. Giving voice to the competing narratives of both Palestinians and Israelis, this book breaks away from polemical approaches that have undermined academic discussion and political debates about the conflict. The author introduces readers to the major historiographical debates sparked by the dispute, and suggests more useful ways of explaining and understanding the obstacles to reconciliation and conflict resolution.