The War of Return

How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace

By: Einat Wilf, Adi Schwartz

Narrated by: Einat Wilf

Two prominent Israeli liberals argue that for the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to end with peace, Palestinians must come to terms with the fact that there will be no "right of return."

In 1948, seven hundred thousand Palestinians were forced out of their homes by the first Arab-Israeli War. More than seventy years later, most of their houses are long gone, but millions of their descendants are still registered as refugees, with many living in refugee camps. This group—unlike countless others that were displaced in the aftermath of World War II and other conflicts—has remained unsettled, demanding to settle in the state of Israel. Their belief in a "right of return" is one of the largest obstacles to successful diplomacy and lasting peace in the region.

In The War of Return, Adi Schwartz and Einat Wilf—both liberal Israelis supportive of a two-state solution—reveal the origins of the idea of a right of return, and explain how UNRWA—the very agency charged with finding a solution for the refugees—gave in to Palestinian, Arab and international political pressure to create a permanent “refugee” problem. They argue that this Palestinian demand for a “right of return” has no legal or moral basis and make an impassioned plea for the US, the UN, and the EU to recognize this fact, for the good of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

A runaway bestseller in Israel, the first English translation of The War of Return is certain to spark lively debate throughout America and abroad.

©2023 Einat Wilf and Adi Schwartz (P)2023 Einat Wilf and Adi Schwartz

Outstanding Book on the Root Causes that Evade Peace in the Middle East

This is an excellent and thorough book, based on decades of hands on experience in diplomacy and statecraft by Dr Wilf. Dr Einat Wilf was party to the Oslo peace accords negotiations, and has negotiated and engaged, with Palestinian, Arab and other diplomats over the years. She has served as an elected member of the Israel Parliament, the Knesset. Both authors have studied and taught this material within many forums and debates, as well as participated in many top podcasts.
The book focuses on the past 75 years, since the establishment of Israel in 1948, and also covers earlier events that led to the ongoing conflict.
The authors come from the peace camp, and study the root causes that have so far eluded stable peace. The most important cause is the fact that the Palestinians have repeatedly walked away from generous peace offers. It appears that they cannot accept any Jewish state in the Middle East within any borders. They use the “Right of Return” demand for that reason, and insist on a Palestinian state from the River to the Sea, without any Jews.
The book focuses on this difficult challenge, comparing it to other refugees in other conflicts that were settled within a few years. The Palestinians, on the other hand, insist on eternal refugee status and right of return, which is contrary to international law and the practice of statecraft post conflicts and wars.
This book is highly recommended to anybody who seeks deep understanding of the Middle East conflict, and wish to consider constructive ideas and possible pathways to an ever elusive peace.