Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. The Palestinians and 1948: the causes of failure Rashid Khalidi; 2. Revisiting the Palestinian exodus of 1948 Benny Morris; 3. The Druze and the birth of Israel Laila Parsons; 4. Israel and the Arab coalition in 1948 Avi Shlaim; 5. Jordan and 1948: the persistence of an official history Eugene Rogan; 6. Iraq and the 1948 war: mirror of Iraq's disorder Charles Tripp; 7. Egypt and the 1948 war: internal conflict and regional ambition Fawaz Gerges; 8. Syria and the 1948 war Joshua Landis; Afterword: the consequences of the 1948 war Edward Said.

Promotional Information

A re-examination of the Arab-Israeli war of 1948 written by leading Arab, Israeli and western scholars.

Reviews

'The result is a book which is rich in new material and new insights and which enhances considerably our understanding of the historical roots of the Arab-Israeli conflict.' The Middle East

'… a scholarly, readable volume that will provoke more debate …'. Reviews in History

'This stimulating guide to the complex political and military topography of the 1948 war sets new, rigorous standards for subsequent scholars, and should be required reading for anyone who needs to understand what the whole Arab-Israeli business is about.' Contemporary Review

'… a cogent and comprehensive work on the central event in the Middle East in the year 1948 … The War for Palestine demonstrates a dedication to empirical research and a determination to draw independent conclusions'. English Historical Review

'This volume presents important and original scholarship on the 1948 war … It succeeds in bringing together historians from different backgrounds and demonstrates their ability to communicate and jointly challenge historical myths.' American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences

'This critical look at internal factors on the Arab side is most welcome in order to understand the events of 1948.' Journal of Peace Research