Recommendations for background reading on the conflict?

[nadine_mn]

Admittedly, I do not have more than a rudimentary understanding of the Israel and Palestine (I sadly say this is a Political Science major - in my defense it was during the 90's when so much attention was spent on the fall of Communism in Europe).

Suggestions to help me gain a better understanding?

[likesmountains 52]

1. Written by a UN worker with a view from the Palestinian side

Victory For us Is To See You Suffer was a excellent read.

[nadine_mn]

6. I will check it out - thanks nt

[Scootaloo]

2. A... short reading list...

(and I'm sure someone will complain about something.. .whatever)

The Hour of Sunlight, by Sami Al Jundi (autobiography)
Dreams and Shadows; the Future of the Middle East, Robin Wright
Power, Faith, and Fantasy; America in the Middle East, 1776 to present, Michael Oren
Arab and Jew; Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land, David Shipler (Read. This. Book.)
Storm From the East, Milton Viorst
A History of the Middle East, Peter Mansfield
The Great War for Civilisation; The Conquest of the Middle East, Robert Fisk
A History of the Arab Peoples. Albert Hourani
Once Upon a Country, Sari Nusseibeh (Autobiography)

There's also Jimmy Carter's Peace, Not Apartheid. Despite the title, it's more of a lukewarm primer than any actual indictment on anyone. Decent if you just need the "basics," but elementary otherwise.

[nadine_mn]

4. Thank you very much nt

[azurnoir]

3. well for current events

Palestinian news

http://www.maannews.net/eng/Default.aspx

Leftist Israeli news

http://972mag.com/

middle of the road to rightist news

http://www.ynetnews.com/home/0,7340,L-3083,00.html

rightwing

http://www.jpost.com/

very rightwing and quite popular with the ProIsrael set here

http://www.timesofisrael.com/

eta I am surprised that as a political science major I/P was not more covered that is when Oslo was going on interesting

[nadine_mn]

5. thank you very the spectrum of links - very helpful nt

[Mosby]

7. one book

That covers the whole thing

Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: The Israeli-Arab Tragedy by Shlomo Ben-Ami 2007

Personally I think he is a little hard on israel, especially with his views about oppt for israel post 67 but overall a very good summary.

"This is an exceptionally subtle and sophisticated treatment of one of the most bitter, protracted, and intractable conflicts of modern times--the conflict between Israel and the Arabs. Shlomo Ben-Ami brings to the task both the skills of the professional historian and the practical experience of a senior participant in the peace process. He invariably goes to the core of the problems and he writes in a lucid and incisive style. His book is a must for anyone seeking to understand the causes of war and the prospects for peace in the Middle East."--Avi Shlaim, author of The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0195325427?d=d&pd=1

[shaayecanaan]

8. I would say that the most highly regarded book around here

is The Iron Wall, by Avi Schlaim:-

http://www.amazon.com/The-Iron-Wall-Israel-World/dp/0393321126/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353387415&sr=8-1&keywords=avi+schlaim