The War of Return
How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace
by Adi Schwartz; Einat Wilf
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Pub Date 28 Apr 2020 | Archive Date 28 Apr 2020
St. Martin's Press | All Points Books
Description
Two prominent Israeli liberals argue that for the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to end with peace, Palestinians must come to terms with the fact that there will be no "right of return."
In 1948, seven hundred thousand Palestinians were forced out of their homes by the first Arab-Israeli War. More than seventy years later, most of their houses are long gone, but millions of their descendants are still registered as refugees, with many living in refugee camps. This group—unlike countless others that were displaced in the aftermath of World War II and other conflicts—has remained unsettled, demanding to settle in the state of Israel. Their belief in a "right of return" is one of the largest obstacles to successful diplomacy and lasting peace in the region.
In The War of Return, Adi Schwartz and Einat Wilf—both liberal Israelis supportive of a two-state solution—reveal the origins of the idea of a right of return, and explain how UNRWA - the very agency charged with finding a solution for the refugees - gave in to Palestinian, Arab and international political pressure to create a permanent “refugee” problem. They argue that this Palestinian demand for a “right of return” has no legal or moral basis and make an impassioned plea for the US, the UN, and the EU to recognize this fact, for the good of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
A runaway bestseller in Israel, the first English translation of The War of Return is certain to spark lively debate throughout America and abroad.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781250252760 |
| PRICE | $28.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Elise B, Reviewer
Based upon historical facts and information, the authors, left-wing Israeli politicians, outline just how the international community and the Arab leaders specifically, have kept the Palestinian refugee issue alive in the hopes of ultimately destroying Israel.
It begins with a factual look at how the refugee crisis began and what has kept the refugee issue alive. Citing dozens of well known Middle East experts the authors put together an understanding of the historical fight for the creation of the State of Israel, the rejectionism of the Arab world, and the jaded (even antisemitic) view taken by the world's great powers. It is a detailed look at how the Palestinian refugee issue is treated differently than all offer refugee crises in contravention to actual international law. Moreover, they detail exactly where the fault lies and how the UN, and specifically UNRWA itself, is harming the future for the Palestinian People.
The authors devise several realistic steps to solve the issue. The first one being to fold UNRWA into the UNHCR., To stop treating the Palestinian issue differently than every other refugee crisis in the world has ever been treated. It is time that the world demand that nations who have kept Palestinians in refugee camps for over 70 years be held to account for their human rights violations and that Palestinian leaders who receive billions of dollars in international aide actually start preparing their people for a realistic peace. with Israel
Basically they are telling the Arab world, it's time to grow up. You can no longer cynically use the Palestinian crisis to sidestep your own failures. Israel will not allow it anymore.
The authors also demand that the world stop holding the Jewish State to a double standard when it comes to the Palestinian refugee issue. Citing numerous examples, the authors show exactly how duplicitous the world has been.
This is definitely an interesting book. One that not everyone will like and many will disagree with. But what is important is that this is the Israeli peace camp talking. They need to he beard. It needs to be understood that simply being in the Israeli peace camp also does not mean you are suicidal. It does not mean you are not a Zionist. it does not mean you do not want freedom for the Jewish People and security for the Jewish State.
For anyone truly interested in what the future holds for the Israeli-Palestinian issue, this book is a must read.
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