The Question of Israel and Palestine - Book Report/Review Example

The book also covers the role of the international community in the conflict. Summary of the book Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the region has witnessed several attempts to secure a permanent freedom from strife amidst extensive conflicts and violent episodes. The benchmark upon which the lasting peace of the region lies is the better-placed Israel. A solution can be reached if the country chooses to relate well with its neighbors and the diverse society within her jurisdiction.

Even before the country declared assumed its self-rule in 1948, there were historical hostilities between Jews and Arabs (John and Hadawi, 1970, p. 153). The Jews, who were regarded as long-standing aliens, suddenly opted for a return to the region that had been inhabited by their rivals. The central issue in the long-standing conflict concerns region regarded by Jews and Muslims to be sacred: a land that both sides will fight for to win back, regardless of the cost. The rival communities are also not willing to divide between themselves in a peaceful way.

After a period of more than one century of the quest for peaceful solution to the conflict, little improvement has been achieved as every action seems to trigger another setback. The conflict has seen the best arbitrators of the twentieth century failed to broker a peace deal. They could not navigate the combination of mistrust, parochial ideology and lack of socio-political tolerance. The conflict issue in the Middle East entered the international limelight during the World War I, with British authorities contemplating that by rooting for Zionist clamors for an independent state in the region, their own kingdom would gain more influence.

Ironically, the authors indicate that many nations of Arab descent also countered the move by rooting the support for their allies. Their efforts were apparently driven by their quest for the sovereignty of the Arab countries in the region. This explains the concurrence that the Balfour Declaration and White Papers amounted to spirited efforts to conciliate both sides without dangling a definite carrot to either side (John and Hadawi, 1970, pp. 158-185). Indeed, from the start, the allies consistently rooted for the feeling among the Jews that region was theirs by default and it was just a matter of time before they enjoyed the settlement in the area.

The Arabs also had to mull over the feeling that it would take a little more effort to gain independence as a state. Obviously, satisfying the egos of the rivals in the conflict by spewing diverse agendas, perhaps, contributed to the deadliest conflict in the history of the world. Such attempts were futile and it was common knowledge that the settlement of the Jewish population was encouraged impacted strong Arab resentment. The impact of this conflict development on the temporary influence for the British authorities, the European power was asked to openly root for Zionism.

The proposal was reinforced by the likelihood that a powerful Jewish society with the influence of Britain would contribute toward the control of the Suez Canal region. The impact was that both warring parties established their own structures that were independent of the British government. The establishment of an inclusive legislative institution,