Israelis and Palestinians: Why do they fight? Can they stop? [Hardcover]

Professor Bernard Wasserstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0300101724 | ISBN-13: 978-0300101720 | Edition: 1

Israelis and Palestinians offers a startlingly new interpretation of the historical and contemporary realities of the conflict in the Middle East. Bernard Wasserstein challenges the conventional view of the struggle as driven primarily by irrational ethnic and religious hatreds. Instead he focuses on largely neglected forces-including population, fertility rates, labor, and environmental pressures-that have shaped politics in the region over the last century, and which will inevitably determine its future. Wasserstein argues that Israelis and Palestinians live today in "Siamese twin societies"; however much they may wish to, neither side can escape the impinging presence and influence of the other. Demographic, economic, and social imperatives are driving Israelis and Palestinians toward mutual accommodation. At a time of diplomatic impasse and escalating bloodshed, Wasserstein offers a realistic and persuasive basis for optimism.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As of this fall a professor of history at the University of Chicago, Wasserstein (Divided Jerusalem: The Struggle for the Holy City) finds that, despite reports to the contrary, "neither Jews nor Arabs, in their collective behaviour, are animated by crazed psychopathy. They fight over definable interests, motivated by comprehensible value-systems, in pursuit of identifiable goals." Both, Wasserstein argues, are focused on "population, land, work, security, and dignity," and the bulk of the book is devoted to clearly and substantively laying out the specifics. And with good reason, since each nationalism "is now near the end of its tether."
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

. . . .[Wasserstein’s] latest tract, reasoned and balanced, makes a compelling case. . . . -- Eric Silver, Jewish Chronicle

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300101724
• ISBN-13: 978-0300101720
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,243,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book that offers hope, December 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Israelis and Palestinians: Why do they fight? Can they stop? (Hardcover)

This is not a beginners book. It assumes some knowledge of the origins and major players in the conflict. Wasserstein believes that the Israelis and Palestinians will end their decades long conflict in the near future due to various circumstances. These are population, environment, and the declining impact of
Zionism. He does not specify when he believes this may happen, but he gives many reasons why Israel's occupation of the Palestinians is becoming more and more untenable.

Population - Israel wants to remain a predominantly Jewish state. The Arab population is growing more rapidly that the Jewish population due to higher birthrates and an exodus of Jews trying to escape the conflict and Israel's troubled economy. In Israel, Arabs make up about a sixth of the population. This precentage is increasing. Due to the recent Intifada Palestinian workers are largely unable to cross into Israel. As a result, Israel is bringing low wage workers from other nations. Many of these workers are either staying illegally or intermarrying with Israelis, further increasing the nonJewish population. Some
neighborhoods are being taken over by illegals, which is causing Jewish flight in many areas. Population issues will soon force Israel to accept the creation of a Palestinian state. Israel can swap predominantly Arab towns in exchange for Jewish settlements. This will significantly lower the nonJewish population of Israel. An end to the Intifada would also mean the return of Palestinian workers who can go back to their own country everynight, largely elimating Israel's illegal immigration problem.

Environmental - Water shortages and dealing with the area's severe water pollution will require cooperation between both sides, since they share the same water supplies.

Declining Impact of Zionism - The early Zionists were Marxists, who wanted to create a agricultural/communal Jewish state. They believed that the ideal Hebrew was a farmer and a soldier. While Marxist beliefs were never widespread in Israel (most people lived in cities and had nonfarming careers) the Marxists did manage to dominate politics and the military. The Israeli business class is now becoming more powerful politically. They have a strong incentive to end this conflict, which is seriously harming Israel's economy.

Wasserstein also points out that the few sticking points in negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians were close to being worked out in Taba, Egypt. In fact, Israeli and Palestinian delegations recently signed an unofficial peace agreement called the Geneva Accords that if real would resolve the conflict. This proves that peace is possible. Both Ariel Sharon and Yasser Arafat are obstacles to peace. All that's needed now are leaders who care more about their people than land.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Non-Biased Perspective on the Conflict, May 16, 2004

By 

Vince Vince "Vince" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Israelis and Palestinians: Why do they fight? Can they stop? (Hardcover)

This book is wonderful for those looking for a non-biased perspective into the conflict in Israel. It is not a history text, and does not outline the historical events. Instead, this book looks at various issues that most people don't consider when thinking about the conflict. I recommend it to readers who have a grounding in the historical aspects of the conflict but need a non-biased perspective on some modern issues such as imported labour and water contamination. Although these may sound irrelevant to the overall conflict, Wassersten shows their significance in clear and detailed writing.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Innovative Treatment of a Divisive Issue, July 17, 2005

By 

Zenobia (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Israelis and Palestinians: Why Do They Fight? Can They Stop?, Second Edition (Paperback)

If you read readers' reviews on any book concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict, you'll notice the same names blasting every book that does not come out resolutely in favor of Israel. Not surprisingly, these folks did not like this book by Bernard Wasserstein, either. That's really too bad because this author really has put together an innovative, articulate analysis based on excellent data (taken from all sorts of sources). He is not an ideologue or political pundit, but a real historian.

If you are looking to play the blame game, this is not the book for you; no side is without fault in Wasserstein's analysis. (The same is true for his other recent work, DIVIDED JERUSALEM.) Certainly, he leans more to the Avi Shlaim camp than Michael Oren's--both outstanding Israeli historians--but even if you disagree with this more critical take on Israel it is worth reading THIS book because of its original demographic focus.

I agree with another reviewer that this book is not for the Middle East novice--it is important to have a good grasp of the history of Israel and Palestine (and many related topics) before you dive into this thematic approach.

I particularly liked the optimism of the author's conclusions, which seem to defy all the naysayers--that the two sides are really not all that far apart from a negotiated settlement if in fact moderates can prevail on both sides.