Polity The Israel/Palestine Reader

Introduction to any complex international conflict is enriched when the voices of the adversaries are heard. The Israel/Palestine Reader is an innovative collection, focused on the human dimension of the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian confrontation. Its vivid and illuminating readings present the voices of the diverse parties through personal testimonies and analyses. Key leaders, literary figures, prominent analysts, and simply close observers of different phases of this protracted conflict are all represented—in their own words.From Mark Twain to Theodor Herzl, Gamal Abdul Nasser, Golda Meir, Anwar Sadat, Ezer Weizman, Ehud Barak, Marwan Barghouti, Mahmoud Abbas, Benjamin Netanyahu, John Kerry, and dozens of others, the firsthand narratives brought together in this Reader bring the conflict to life as seen by those closest to it. Though structured to complement Alan Dowty's introductory text Israel/Palestine (4th edition, Polity 2017), this Reader also stands on its own as a survey of "voices" in the conflict.  Each of the ten chapters is framed by an editorial introduction that sets the pieces in context. By juxtaposing contrasting viewpoints both between and within the opposed parties, these pieces underline the drama of the conflict, while final judgment is left to the reader. This lively volume will add color and texture to any study of Arab–Israeli issues or of the Middle East generally. Review “While Israel’s relationship with the major Sunni Arab state is improving, its conflict with Palestinians keeps festering. Against this grim backdrop, Alan Dowty has provided us with a rich and balanced reader. It is an indispensable resource for both professionals and lay readers.”Itamar Rabinovich, President of The Israel Institute“When most Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis are separated by physical and psychological borders, power asymmetries, and exclusive national narratives, Alan Dowty brings balance and perspective through a set of 50 key readings from both sides of the divide. A valuable resource. Highly recommended.”Saliba Sarsar, Monmouth University"The choice of readings confirms Alan Dowty's well-deserved reputation for even-handed presentation of the respective narratives... an extremely useful teaching tool for courses on the Israel-Palestine conflict."Neil Caplan, Middle East Journal  About the Author ALAN DOWTY is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame and Past President of the Association for Israel Studies.