The Rise and Fall of Arab Jerusalem

The Rise and Fall of Arab Jerusalem examines Palestinian politics and society in East Jerusalem from 1967-2007. Through interviews, documents, and historical records, Cohen analyzes the complex relationship between Palestinian residents of Jerusalem and both Israeli authorities and the Palestinian Authority. Cohen explores the internal conflicts and social transformations within Jerusalem's Palestinian community during this period. The research focuses on key issues including residency rights, municipal services, political representation, and the impact of the separation barrier. The book details the development of Palestinian civic institutions and political movements in Jerusalem, along with their interactions with Israeli governance structures. Cohen documents the changing dynamics of Palestinian life in the city through major historical events and policy shifts. This historical study provides insight into the intersection of urban development, nationalism, and identity in a contested city. The narrative reveals broader patterns about how communities adapt to political upheaval while maintaining cultural autonomy.

Readers appreciate Cohen's detailed documentation of Jerusalem's changing dynamics between 1967-2007, particularly his analysis of Palestinian political institutions and neighborhood committees. Multiple reviewers noted his balanced perspective and use of primary sources in both Arabic and Hebrew. Criticism focuses on the academic writing style being dense and hard to follow. Some readers found the chronological jumps confusing. Several Palestinian reviewers disagreed with Cohen's conclusions about the PLO's role in East Jerusalem. Likes: - Documentation of day-to-day Palestinian life - Inclusion of both Israeli and Palestinian perspectives - Strong archival research - Maps and demographic data Dislikes: - Complex academic prose - Assumes prior knowledge of the region - Limited coverage of religious aspects - Some translation issues noted Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 ratings) Most academic reviewers in Middle East journals rated it positively, though noted its narrow scope focused mainly on political institutions rather than broader cultural changes.

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🔹 The book examines the decline of Palestinian political influence in East Jerusalem from 1967-2007, a period that saw Palestinian leadership shift from local Jerusalem residents to the PLO in Ramallah. 🔹 Author Hillel Cohen is a professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and gained unique access to both Israeli and Palestinian archives, allowing him to present perspectives from both sides of the conflict. 🔹 The work reveals how Israel's construction of the separation barrier in the early 2000s effectively cut off many Palestinian Jerusalemites from their cultural and economic center. 🔹 Cohen documents how some Palestinian residents of Jerusalem began applying for Israeli citizenship after 1967, challenging the traditional narrative of universal rejection of Israeli authority. 🔹 The book describes how Jerusalem's religious significance has increasingly overshadowed its political importance in the Palestinian national movement, fundamentally changing the nature of the conflict in the city.