The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine
The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi is an academic and research-based work that also weaves in personal experiences. Khalidi, the Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University and co-editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies, is a prominent historian and the author of eight books, including Palestinian Identity, Brokers of Deceit, and The Iron Cage. Dedicated to his grandchildren, this book challenges prevailing narratives of the Israel-Palestine conflict and aims to recover aspects of history that have been omitted or distorted by those in power. Khalidi presents Palestine’s modern history as a colonial war waged against its indigenous population, carried out by various actors seeking to displace them from their homeland.
The book begins with the period from 1917 to 1939 that highlights Britain’s strategic sponsorship of the Zionist project, aligned with the interests of Protestant elites in Great Britain and the United States. Khalidi argues that the 1917 Balfour Declaration effectively nullified Palestinian existence by promising their land as a national home for others. This led to mounting resistance, culminating in the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt and Britain’s subsequent 1939 White Paper.
Chapter 2 covers the events of 1947–1948 and frames Hitler’s rise as a pivotal moment in both Zionist and Palestinian history. Khalidi notes that in 1935 alone, more than 60,000 Jewish immigrants arrived in Palestine, exceeding the Jewish population of the region in 1917. Internal Palestinian divisions, compounded by rivalries among newly independent Arab states, further weakened their resistance. Khalidi details how certain Arab leaders secretly negotiated with the Zionist movement, often undermining Palestinian interests. The 1948 Nakba—the mass displacement and expulsion of Palestinians following the establishment of Israel—remains a defining historical trauma spanning generations for Palestinians.
Chapter 3 examines the 1967 war, which reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics. Israel’s capture of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem led to prolonged military occupation and settlement expansion, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and Syrians. The UN called for Israeli withdrawal in exchange for peace, but no resolution followed. The war also spurred Palestinian nationalism, strengthening the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and setting the stage for future conflicts, including the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Chapter 4 critiques the PLO’s shortcomings from the late 1960s to 1982, particularly after its forced relocation to Lebanon following Black September (1970–1971). Khalidi describes how the PLO’s armed presence in Lebanon fueled resentment and ultimately contributed to Israel’s 1982 invasion. He condemns U.S. policy, noting that President Reagan’s administration viewed the PLO as a Soviet-aligned terrorist organization and failed to protect Palestinian civilians, particularly in the aftermath of the Sabra and Shatila massacres. Khalidi argues that the 1990–1991 Gulf War further weakened the PLO, exposing flaws in its diplomatic strategy. He critiques Palestinian leadership for failing to engage effectively with American public opinion and for misunderstanding U.S. political dynamics. According to Khalidi, the United States is not and cannot be a neutral mediator in the conflict.
Chapter 5 explores the First Intifada (1987–1993), a grassroots uprising against Israeli occupation that led to the 1993 Oslo Accords, in which Israel and the PLO recognized each other. Khalidi asserts that Israel’s concessions were superficial and designed to maintain occupation indefinitely. He criticizes the PLO’s weak negotiating team, arguing that they lacked the legal and linguistic expertise necessary to counter Israeli tactics. Khalidi also examines the Second Intifada (2000–2005), triggered by Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which resulted in even greater violence.
Chapter 6 covers the period from 2000 to 2014, focusing on the impact of Hamas’s 2006 election victory, which led to international sanctions, internal Palestinian divisions, and the blockade of Gaza. Khalidi connects rising Islamophobia and American exceptionalism to the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting how past U.S. presidents have occasionally overridden Israeli objections when American strategic interests were at stake, such as during the 1956 Suez Crisis and Henry Kissinger’s 1973–1975 disengagement negotiations.
In the book’s conclusion, Khalidi presents his vision for a sustainable resolution, arguing that the conflict must be understood in its colonial context. He identifies three key approaches to reframing global perceptions of Palestine:
Drawing comparisons to other settler-colonial experiences, such as those of Native Americans, South Africans, and the Irish.
Highlighting the extreme power imbalance between Israel and the Palestinians.
Emphasizing the issue of inequality as central to any resolution.
Khalidi then examines the psychological dimensions of both Israeli and Palestinian perspectives. He argues that Israelis must confront their attachment to inequality, often justified by security concerns rooted in historical persecution, while Palestinians must acknowledge that Jewish Israelis, despite the colonial origins of Zionism, have developed a national identity and sense of belonging in the land.
Ultimately, Khalidi warns that continuing negotiations on a flawed foundation will only reinforce a status quo leading to the full annexation of Palestine into Greater Israel. He contends that any meaningful resolution requires a fundamental shift in how the conflict is framed—one that acknowledges historical injustices, challenges entrenched power dynamics, and prioritizes equality over dominance.
For readers seeking to understand the roots of the conflict and envision a just future, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine serves as both a historical account and a powerful call to rethink prevailing narratives. By tracing the century-long struggle of the Palestinian people, Khalidi invites critical reflection on the past while urging a reimagining of what a just and lasting peace could look like.
