I condemn hypocrisy in all its forms

Monday, February 26, 2024

BOOK SYNOPSIS: "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine" by Rashid Khalidi


I am planning to read this soon. 

Here's what Gemini has to say about it:

In "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine," Rashid Khalidi argues that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not simply a dispute between two equal national movements, but rather a settler-colonial war waged against the indigenous Palestinians. He traces this war through six major episodes, spanning from 1917 to 2017, which he characterizes as "declarations of war" on the Palestinian people.

Key arguments:

Settler colonialism: Khalidi frames the Zionist project as a form of settler colonialism, where European Jews immigrated to Palestine and established a state on land already inhabited by Palestinians.

External support: He argues that this project was supported by external powers like Britain and the US, who provided political, military, and economic assistance.

Palestinian resistance: The book highlights the continuous resistance of Palestinians against this war, through various forms including political activism, armed struggles, and cultural expression.

Power imbalance: Khalidi emphasizes the power imbalance between Palestinians and their adversaries, acknowledging Palestinian mistakes while arguing that the overall struggle is one against overwhelming odds.

Personal narrative: The book weaves in Khalidi's own family history, offering a personal perspective on the broader historical narrative.

Criticisms:

Bias: Some critics argue that Khalidi presents a one-sided narrative, neglecting Israeli perspectives and downplaying Palestinian responsibility for the conflict.

Terminology: The use of the term "war" and the historical analogy of "100 years" have been criticized as inflammatory and inaccurate by some.

Overall, "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine" is a controversial but influential book that presents a critical perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is important to keep in mind the criticisms and engage with other viewpoints on this complex issue.

Please note that this is a brief summary and there is much more to the book than I can cover here. If you are interested in learning more, I encourage you to read the book itself or consult other sources that offer different perspectives on the conflict.

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