Righteous Victims

Benny Morris's "Righteous Victims" offers an exhaustive and impartial account of the protracted and complex struggle between Arabs and Jews for control of a land both claim as home. Beginning with the initial influx of Zionist immigrants and the native Arab population's growing resistance during the British Mandate, the book meticulously details the events leading to the establishment of Israel in 1947-48, the subsequent displacement of Palestinian Arabs, and the birth of the enduring refugee crisis. Morris covers every major military confrontation, from the Arab onslaught post-1948 through the wars of 1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982-85, as well as the First Intifada and the rise of religious fundamentalism on both sides. Drawing on extensive archival materials and personal accounts, he provides vivid portrayals of key figures like Herzl, Ben-Gurion, and Sadat, and analyzes the successes and failures of peace efforts, from early negotiations to the Camp David and Oslo accords. This monumental work aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the conflict's history and its future prospects.