Rashid Khalidi’s book explores the century-long conflict, tracing its roots to the 1917 Balfour Declaration and its enduring impact on Palestinian displacement and resistance.
1.1 Overview of Rashid Khalidi’s Book
Rashid Khalidi’s The Hundred Years War on Palestine provides a comprehensive analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, tracing its origins to the 1917 Balfour Declaration. Khalidi divides the conflict into six distinct periods, emphasizing the role of settler colonialism and international power dynamics. Drawing from family archives and historical documents, he offers a Palestinian-centered narrative, highlighting resistance and resilience against displacement and occupation. The book is both a scholarly and deeply personal account.
1.2 Historical Context and Significance
The Hundred Years War on Palestine traces its roots to the early 20th century, with the 1917 Balfour Declaration serving as a catalyst. This period marked the beginning of Zionist settlement and British involvement, leading to decades of displacement and resistance. Khalidi situates the conflict within the broader context of colonialism, emphasizing its enduring impact on Palestinian identity and the ongoing struggle for self-determination.
The Balfour Declaration of 1917
The 1917 Balfour Declaration, issued by the British government, expressed support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, marking the first declaration of war on Palestine.
2.1 The British Government’s Role
The British government’s 1917 Balfour Declaration endorsed the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, disregarding the rights of the indigenous Palestinian population. This decision, embedded in colonial geopolitics, marked the beginning of a century-long conflict, as it legitimized Zionist aspirations while ignoring Palestinian Arab concerns, leading to widespread displacement and resistance.
2.2 Impact on the Palestinian Population
The Balfour Declaration led to a surge in Zionist immigration and land acquisition, displacing Palestinians and marginalizing their political rights. Indigenous communities faced growing exclusion, setting the stage for the 1948 Nakba, or “catastrophe,” where hundreds of thousands were forcibly expelled, erasing their presence and cultural identity from their ancestral homeland.
The British Mandate Period (1917-1939)
The British Mandate Period (1917-1939) saw rising Zionist immigration and land acquisition, fueling Arab-Jewish tensions and dispossession of Palestinians.
3.1 Zionist Immigration and Land Acquisition
Zionist immigration surged during the British Mandate, with settlers acquiring land through purchases and leases, often displacing Arab peasants. This process intensified tensions.
Palestinian Arabs, comprising 94% of the population in 1917, faced growing dispossession, as Zionist land ownership expanded, laying the groundwork for future conflict.
3.2 Growing Tensions Between Arabs and Jews
Rising Zionist immigration and land acquisition fueled Arab concerns over displacement and loss of majority status. Tensions escalated as Arab leaders opposed British policies favoring Jewish settlement.
Economic competition and cultural clashes further strained relations, culminating in violent confrontations. These growing hostilities set the stage for prolonged Arab-Jewish conflict.
The 1948 Arab-Israeli War
The 1948 war marked the establishment of Israel, leading to the displacement of Palestinians, known as the Nakba, and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the region.
4.1 The Establishment of the State of Israel
The 1948 Arab-Israeli War culminated in the establishment of the State of Israel, following the expiration of the British Mandate. The UN Partition Plan of 1947 had proposed dividing Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, but it was met with resistance. Israel’s declaration of independence on May 14, 1948, marked a pivotal moment, recognized internationally, while sparking regional conflict and geopolitical shifts.
4.2 The Palestinian Refugee Crisis (Nakba)
The 1948 Arab-Israeli War led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, known as the Nakba or “catastrophe.” Many were forced to flee their homes, losing land and livelihoods. This mass exodus resulted in a profound sense of loss and dispossession, shaping Palestinian identity and their ongoing struggle for justice and return, a central theme in their collective narrative.
The 1967 Six-Day War
The Six-Day War marked a pivotal moment, with Israel occupying the West Bank and Gaza, significantly altering the geopolitical landscape and deepening Palestinian displacement.
5.1 Israeli Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza
The 1967 Six-Day War resulted in Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, leading to prolonged military rule, displacement of Palestinians, and restrictive policies that severely impacted daily life and political autonomy in these territories.
5.2 Geopolitical Shifts in the Middle East
The 1967 war reshaped regional dynamics, strengthening Israel’s position while destabilizing Arab states. It intensified Cold War rivalries, with the U.S. and Soviet Union vying for influence, and solidified Palestine’s role as a central issue in Middle Eastern geopolitics, influencing alliances and conflicts for decades to come.
The First Intifada (1987-1993)
The First Intifada was a mass Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, marked by civil disobedience and protests, challenging Israeli control and shifting international perceptions of the conflict.
6.1 Palestinian Resistance and Civil Uprising
The First Intifada marked a pivotal shift in Palestinian resistance, transitioning from armed struggle to mass civil disobedience. Widespread protests, strikes, and grassroots organizing united Palestinians across the occupied territories. The PLO’s leadership amplified the movement, while local committees played a crucial role in sustaining it. This period highlighted the resilience and unity of the Palestinian people in challenging Israeli occupation and advocating for self-determination.
6.2 The Role of the PLO and Hamas
The PLO, under Yasser Arafat, played a central role in coordinating the First Intifada, while Hamas emerged as a significant force, organizing local protests and providing social services. The PLO’s diplomatic efforts gained international attention, whereas Hamas’s grassroots approach strengthened its influence among Palestinians. Both groups represented different strands of resistance, shaping the movement’s trajectory and future political dynamics in the region.
The Second Intifada (2000-2005)
The Second Intifada erupted in 2000, marked by heightened violence, suicide bombings, and Israeli military responses. It severely strained the peace process and caused widespread casualties, deepening the conflict’s complexity and entrenched divisions between Israelis and Palestinians.
7.1 Renewed Violence and Diplomatic Efforts
The Second Intifada saw a surge in violence, with Palestinian suicide bombings and Israeli military incursions. Efforts like the Oslo Accords and the Roadmap for Peace aimed to restart negotiations, but widespread mistrust and continued attacks undermined progress. The international community sought to mediate, yet the cycle of retaliation and counter-retaliation persisted, deepening the conflict’s complexity and entrenching divisions between Israelis and Palestinians.
7.2 The Impact of the Oslo Accords
The Oslo Accords aimed to establish a framework for peace, creating the Palestinian Authority and promising self-governance. However, the agreements failed to address key issues like settlements and refugees, leading to growing frustration. Despite initial optimism, the Accords’ limitations fueled ongoing violence and disillusionment, as neither side fully committed to their implementation, ultimately undermining the peace process and exacerbating the conflict.
The Impact on Palestinian Identity
Palestinian identity has been shaped by displacement, cultural resilience, and political struggle, fostering a strong sense of national consciousness despite decades of occupation and diaspora.
8.1 Displacement and Diaspora
The Hundred Years War on Palestine has caused profound displacement, with millions forced into diaspora. The 1948 Nakba and 1967 Six-Day War were pivotal in uprooting Palestinians, scattering communities globally. Despite this, the Palestinian diaspora has maintained a strong cultural and political identity, fostering resilience and a steadfast connection to their homeland, even as they navigate life in exile. This displacement remains central to the Palestinian experience.
8.2 Cultural and Political Resilience
Palestinians have demonstrated remarkable cultural and political resilience despite prolonged displacement. Traditional practices, art, and literature continue to thrive, preserving national identity. Politically, movements like the PLO and Hamas have mobilized resistance, while global advocacy highlights the Palestinian struggle, ensuring their voice remains central in international discourse and efforts for self-determination and justice.
The Legacy of the Hundred Years War
The conflict remains unresolved, shaping global geopolitics and humanitarian crises. It symbolizes resistance against colonialism, with Palestinians continuing their quest for justice and self-determination.
9.1 Current State of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The conflict persists with ongoing Israeli military occupation, settlement expansion, and Palestinian resistance. International efforts falter amid shifting geopolitics, while human rights abuses and displacement continue, deepening the crisis;
9.2 The Role of International Powers
International powers have historically influenced the conflict, with Britain’s Balfour Declaration and ongoing U.S. support for Israel shaping its trajectory. The United Nations has passed numerous resolutions, yet enforcement remains inconsistent. Global alliances and geopolitical shifts continue to affect the conflict, with varying levels of engagement from Europe, Arab states, and other regions, complicating efforts toward a lasting resolution.
Khalidi’s work offers a profound reflection on a century of conflict, highlighting the struggle for justice and self-determination. The legacy of this war underscores the need for equitable solutions and international accountability, providing hope for a future where Palestinian rights are fully recognized and respected.
10.1 Reflections on the Past and Future Prospects
Khalidi’s analysis underscores the century-long struggle of Palestinians, highlighting displacement and resistance. The future hinges on justice, equality, and international accountability, offering hope for a resolution that honors Palestinian rights and fosters peace in the region. The book serves as a call to action, urging global recognition of Palestine’s plight and the need for a balanced approach to achieve lasting reconciliation.
