Title: PALESTINE AND PALESTINIANS: The Iron Cage: The Story of the Palestinian Struggle for Statehood
Abstract: PALESTINE AND PALESTINIANS The Iron Cage: The Story of Palestinian Struggle for Statehood, by Rashid Khalidi. Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 2006. xl + 217 pages. Notes p. 263. Acknowledgments p. 266. Index p. 281. $24.95. Reviewed by Neil Caplan Rashid Khalidi's Iron Cage is a mustread historical and political study of Palestinian national movement from beginning of British Mandate period Hamas electoral victory in Palestinian Authority (PA) elections of late January 2006. In focusing on Palestinians' failure achieve statehood, both prior and since creation of Israel in 1948, author offers a compelling and forthright presentation of their successes, failures, and suffering (p. 266) - though last two far outweigh first. Among book's many strengths are Khalidi's sophisticated and balanced judgments of key issues and turning points that have too often been treated in distorted, propagandistic fashion by Palestinians and Israelis alike. Rejecting inappropriate or unfair comparisons between Palestinian Arab society under Mandate and rival, more highly-developed, Jewish community (the yishuv), author carefully places Palestinian decision-making into context, judging wise and unwise options and outcomes with a balanced mix of empathy and criticism. Reminiscent of late Yehoshafat Harkabi's treatment of Israel's fateful decisions,1 it appears that choices facing Palestinian leaders were not between good and bad, but between bad and worse. Engaging in an honest critique that extends beyond obvious targets (Israel, Zionism, America, and Britain) include his own people, author holds all leaders same exacting standards, and subjects their decisions and missed opportunities equally tough-minded scrutiny and lines of inquiry. Palestinians are portrayed here as having been agents as well as objects (or victims) of their history, and are judged for what their leaders did or failed do. Yet Khalidi is cautious not to hold actors in history standards that would have been unrealizable at time (p. 173). Despite his disclaimers (p. xxxii), The Iron Cage may well become a long-awaited Palestinian counterpart path-breaking studies published by Israel's so-called new historians since late 1980s. Supporters of Palestinians and of Israel will read this book in different ways and with different eyes, but both will find Khalidi's presentation richly illuminating, even when they may not agree with his assessment of every episode. The author writes with a remarkable understanding of Jews, Zionists, and Israelis - successful adversaries of Palestinian people whose story he tells with great compassion and conviction. Avoiding facile vilification of the enemy, Khalidi nevertheless condemns Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian land and harsh repression of Palestinians under its rule, along with world's seeming indifference towards this occupation and repression. Nor is he soft on post9/11 America, denouncing its uncritical encouragement of a militant Israel, which he places in broader context of self-deluding and hegemonic attitudes towards Middle East and Muslim world. …
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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