Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

A Very Short Introduction

By: Martin Bunton

Narrated by: Neil Shah

The conflict between Palestine and Israel is one of the most highly publicized and bitter struggles in history. In this accessible and stimulating Very Short Introduction, Martin Bunton clearly explains the history of the problem, reducing it to its very essence - a modern territorial contest between two nations and one geographical territory.

Adopting a fresh and original approach, each section covers a 20-year span, to highlight the historical complexity of the conflict throughout successive decades. Each chapter starts with an examination of the relationships among people and events that marked particular years as historical moments in the evolution of the conflict, including the 1897 Basle Congress; the 1917 Balfour Declaration and British occupation of Palestine; and the 1947 UN Partition Plan and the war for Palestine.

Providing a clear and fair exploration of the main issues, Bunton explores not only the historical basis of the conflict, but also looks at how and why partition has been so difficult and how efforts to restore peace continue today.

©2013 Martin Bunton (P)2021 Tantor

Bad narration

A chronological summation of the conflict with a narrator who sounds like a computer. A few editorial spins here & there that can anger each side of the debate.

I’m Jewish so I found that the author seemed to characterize Palestinians as a passive & peaceful people that had simply been taken advantage of by the world and its own militaristic leaders.

Equal representation

The book does a nice job presenting both the Israeli and the Palestinian sides equally. The narrator was not very engaging, but as a nonfictional timeline, he was easy to follow. The most significant flaw that I found in the book is that the author does not call out Hamas as a terrorist organization. Overall the book as a decent job explaining the last hundred years or so of the history behind the conflict. 

Understanding Is Painful!!

I will wear my mask to write this review because what I want to write might not help the current situation. So, here it is: Thank you Mr. Bunton. I appreciate you. To those debating on the purchase of this text - purchase it. If nothing else - you will gain more information.

2012 and Mr. Obama, Rock On!!!

Even-handed.

This book was released 10 years before October 06, 2023 yet it remains current. It shows, after over 100 years, how minorities of right-wing "religious" politicians - ON BOTH SIDES - have consistently head-faked their peoples and undermined peace and democracy. They want ONLY domination or destruction of the other side. It does NOT justify October 6th, 2023; but, it does - partially - show how we got there.

Awaiting a sequel!!!

Good way to learn the story from an objective viewpoint.
Needs a more engaging narrator- this guy’s reading is so monotonous

Unbiased and concise

It was a great book. Very unbiased and concise. Not overly complicated and really does gives an overall summary of the conflict

Good History and Summary

Good objective breakdown of the history of the creation of the state of Israel and its ongoing conflicts and attempts at reconciliation with the original inhabitants, the Palestinians. It’s a bit difficult to listen to because it is somewhat dry and the narration is nearly toneless. On the other hand, it’s short so it’s bearable.

Can be summed up as neither side wants to compromise but both wish to appear as if compromise is an option.

Concise, Impartial, Informative, and Clearly Read

There could be no better a time for a refresher on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and Bunton's historically oriented account of the conflict is as as clear and concise as possible, given the nature of the Oxford Very Short introductions. Shah's clear reading style combines with Bunton's educational style and focus on primary source material to make this a highly informative and educational listen, and a listen that rewards a couple of hearings owing to the complexity of conflict.

Although the 2023 October 7 HAMAS attack and the current war on Gaza are new dimensions not discussed here, this book nevertheless forms a good starting point in helping explain how we came to be here.

interesting but biased

this book is supposed to be non-biased, yet it considers hamas group as a terrorist group, instead of being a military force of palasetine that has the right to defend and capture the stored land of their own.

A balanced, concise overview of the conflict.

Gives balanced summary of the positions of each side. Provides a better understanding of the issues and the intractable views of segments of both Palestinian and Israeli actors.