Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer

Revised and updated in a 6th edition that addresses recent developments through early 2015, this slim handbook from Bennis (Understanding ISIS and the New Global War on Terror: A Primer) uses the Socratic method to present a broad overview of the history of conflict in the Holy Land, Israel's illegal military occupation, and the moribund peace process. Bennis covers a great deal of background information in an efficient, easily digestible format; the book is divided into brief, thematically arranged question-and-answer sections that allow readers to quickly locate topics of interest. While supportive of the boycotts, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement, Bennis remains ambiguous on potential solutions to the conflict, though she makes clear that the idea of a "two-state arrangement%E2%80%94dividing the total land of historic Palestine, now entirely under Israel's control%E2%80%94was never ultimately based on justice." Throughout, she contends that the United Nations, and ideally the General Assembly, should take center stage in negotiating a lasting settlement. Occasionally sloppy, Bennis confuses the minor right-wing Israeli parties Tsomet and Moledet, and makes a clumsy analogy between the consequences of NAFTA and a possible future Middle East arrangement. Despite its minor flaws, Bennis's book is useful for readers looking to boost their knowledge of this contentious topic. Maps. (Oct.)