Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict: What the Headlines Haven't Told You [Paperback]

Michael A. Rydelnik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

All attempts at mediation between Israel and the Arab world die an early death. Depending on the news agency reporting, one alternately gets the impression that Israel is in the right... or maybe the Palestinians have legitimate concerns. What you don't hear is what the real story is, and how the news is 'spun.'Places the 'crisis that never ends' in its biblical, historical, and prophetic contexts.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Michael Rydelnik is professor of Jewish Studies at the Moody Bible Institute. The son of Holocaust survivors, he was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home in Brooklyn, New York. Michael trusted in Jesus the Messiah in high school and has been ministering to the Jewish community ever since. He also contributed to Storm Clouds on the Horizon,served on the translation team of the Holman Christian Standard Bible, and contributed to several other books. 

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802426409
• ISBN-13: 978-0802426406
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,325,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If "Biased" = "Moral Judgments" - Why Not?, February 14, 2009

By 

M. Wechsler (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict: What the Headlines Haven't Told You (Kindle Edition)

Everyone has a right to their review/opinion--though a proper assessment should take into account the scope of the book as well as its underlying motivation. As correctly pointed out by those reviewers who have given this book 1 or 2 stars, Dr Rydelnik is a Jewish Studies professor--at a Christian College, I should add--and as such necessarily (and admittedly) takes a "biased" perspective. And why not? We seem to equate the term "biased" with "bad"--though when applied to the endorsement--or bias in favor of--human rights and positive morality, it would seem quite proper--indeed, even incumbent for those who favor the existence (and themselves live in) countries built upon clear moral/ethical standards that are "biased" in favor of human rights and human dignity. Of course Dr Rydelnik makes moral judgements on the issue--how can one NOT do so? It seems that the negative reviewers are looking for, at the least, an equal endorsement or "understanding" (in the sympathetic sense) of the Muslim (not just Palestinian) side of the conflict. Considering both sides--regardless of the degree to which each is explored--is not coincidental with ENDORSING (or refraining from endorsing) both sides. And, as reasonably and clearly argued by many an author besides Dr Rydelnik, the Israeli side, despite any imperfections (and who doesn't have them?), is in the moral/ethical "right" on every major aspect of the conflict. If there is a reason that Dr Rydelnik spends more time on the Israeli side of the conflict, it is because it is very under-reported, distorted, or simply ignored by the media and literary world in general. The Muslim/Palestinian claims are straightforward and fairly un-nuanced (though quite different when presented to a Western versus Arab audience), whereas Israel's "side" requires some careful "cutting" through all the journalistic and pseudo-journalistic distortion and negative "bias" regarding their moral, ethical, and historical rights in the conflict. As to Muslim sources that touch on the "reasons" for the unquestionable Palestinian/Muslim anti-judaism and even outright hatred of the Jews, I would point the one reviewer who raises/questions this issue--and any others who are interested--to the book by Norman Stillman entitled "The Jews in Arab Lands." Let's not be naive--the unabashed aim of such "fundamentalist" Islamic organizations as Hamas (the popularly elected government of Palestine, let's not forget) to "destroy Israel and rid Palestine of the Zionist cancer" (meaning the Jews generally) is fundamentally based in a literal (i.e., un-reinterpreted) reading of the Muslim canon and Hadith (authoritative religious tradition comprising extra-Quranic statements and actions of Muhammad)--in one of which, as related in "al-Sura al-nabawiyya" (The Life of the Prophet) by Ibn Hisham, Muhammad COMMANDS any would be follower (i.e., Muslim) to "kill any Jew that comes into your power." So it seems that Bin Ladin was just being an obedient Muslim ...

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical perspective, February 6, 2010

By 

History Reader "klf" (IA, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict: What the Headlines Haven't Told You (Paperback)

This is a well researched book providing a historical foundation to the modern day conflict in the Middle East and it's spread throughout the world.

11 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for understanding a complicated issue., October 3, 2004

By 

H. Klein - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict: What the Headlines Haven't Told You (Paperback)

Dr. Rydelnik has done an excellent job of synthesizing his study of history and the Bible to bring clarity to an often-unclear issue. This book gives the reader a good grasp on the history, development, and current state of the the land of Israel and the conflict with the Palestinians. It also provides us with an invaluable, clear presentation of what the Bible has to say on the issues of who can claim ownership of the land, and of Israel and the Arab states in prophecy. I highly recommend it to anyone who would like a better understanding of the Middle East conflict, beyond what the headlines tell you.