The Hundred Years' War on Palestine

The Hundred Years' War on Palestine examines a century of conflict from 1917-2017 through six major historical episodes that shaped Palestinian-Israeli relations. Author Rashid Khalidi, a Columbia University historian, frames these events as "declarations of war" against the Palestinian people. The book combines traditional historical research with personal elements, drawing from Khalidi's family archives and his direct involvement in Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. His perspective as both a scholar and participant in key events provides context for the political and social dynamics at play. Khalidi begins with an 1889 exchange between his relative, Jerusalem mayor Yusuf Diya ad-Din Pasha al-Khalidi, and Theodor Herzl, connecting this early dialogue to the subsequent century of conflict. The narrative traces how British and American imperial interests influenced the development of the region. This history challenges conventional narratives about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by examining it through the lens of settler colonialism and indigenous rights, presenting a framework for understanding the ongoing tensions in the region.

Readers appreciate Khalidi's personal family connections to events and his incorporation of primary sources and documents. Many note the book provides context often missing from Western accounts, with one reader calling it "a Palestinian perspective without apologetics." Positive reviews focus on: - Clear chronological structure - Balance of academic research and personal narrative - Detailed examination of British and American involvement Critical reviews mention: - Strong bias against Israel's positions - Limited coverage of internal Palestinian conflicts - Complex academic language that can be dense Ratings: Goodreads: 4.39/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (850+ ratings) Several readers note it works better for those with existing knowledge of the region's history. As one Amazon reviewer wrote: "Not an introduction to the conflict, but an important perspective for those already familiar with the basics." Some readers disagree with Khalidi's characterization of Zionism and Israeli policy, while others praise his documentation of colonial aspects of the conflict.

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★ Rashid Khalidi comes from a prominent Palestinian family - his great-great-great uncle Yusuf Diya al-Khalidi served as the mayor of Jerusalem in the late 1800s and corresponded directly with Zionist movement founder Theodor Herzl. ★ The book identifies six specific "declarations of war" on Palestine, starting with the 1917 Balfour Declaration and continuing through events like the 1947-48 war, the 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1982 siege of Beirut. ★ Beyond his scholarly work, Khalidi served as an advisor to the Palestinian delegation during peace negotiations in Madrid and Washington, D.C. between 1991 and 1993. ★ The author holds the Edward Said Chair in Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University and was among the first American scholars to seriously study Palestinian history through Ottoman archives. ★ Much of the book's unique perspective comes from Khalidi family papers dating back to the 1800s, including personal correspondence, diaries, and documents that provide intimate glimpses into Palestinian society across generations.