HIS 357: History of the Modern Middle East

An in-depth examination of how Jerusalem is seen by both Palestinians and Israeli-Jews, this book is a landmark study of the potential for successfully negotiating the Jerusalem question. It sheds important light on the question "what is Jerusalem?" By showing that the current boundaries are not viewed by either side as sacrosanct, the authors prove that there is room for creative efforts to reach an agreement. Such room may help resolve what is undoubtedly the most difficult issue standing between Israelis and Palestinians.

Translated by Haim Watzman, this book is a unique account of a complex and subtle negotiation about the most disputed city in the world. Its point of view is clear, but it is nonetheless a balanced presentation. In place of generalizations it tries to get at what really happened.

This foundational text now features a new introduction by Rashid Khalidi reflecting on the significance of his work over the past decade and its relationship to the struggle for Palestinian nationhood. Khalidi also casts an eye to the future, noting the strength of Palestinian identity and social solidarity yet wondering whether current trends will lead to Palestinian statehood and independence.

This vivid account of Israeli rule in Jerusalem details the Jewish state's attempt to lay claim to all of Jerusalem, even when that meant implementing harsh policies toward the city's Arab population. The authors, Jerusalemites from the spheres of politics, journalism, and the military, have themselves been players in the drama that has unfolded in east Jerusalem in recent years and appears now to be at a climax. Their book details Israel's discriminatory policies toward Jerusalem Arabs and shows how Israeli leaders mishandled everything, to the detriment of not only the Palestinian residents but also Israel's own agenda.