Historical dictionary of Palestine

Abstract

Ruled by wave after wave of conquerors through the centuries, Palestine is a land that is synonymous to many people with one of the three great monotheistic religions of the world, but it has searched for decades for a stable identity as a nation-state. From the revolt against the Turks in World War I, the Balfour Declaration, the U.N. Partition and the Arab-Israeli War, to today's episodic riots, police actions, and seesaw summit meetings, Palestine has suffered almost every form of strife. The Historical Dictionary of Palestine is a handy, fact-filled guide that brings together in one place coverage of the individuals, events, factions, and institutions that have had a historical, political, or social significance in the shaping of the nascent Palestinian State. Entries purposely focus on Palestinian in the Occupied Territories and the autonomous areas of Jericho and the Gaza Strip, but omit those Palestinians in Israel proper or those in exile. A detailed introduction and chronology delineate the tumultuous history of this developing nation state, and the main text of the Dictionary offers biographies of the individuals involved. Several maps detail Palestine's shifting boundaries, a comprehensive bibliography is offered to aid further research, and appendixes list its Declaration of Independence and Declaration of Principles. It is certain to be an invaluable reference tool for all researchers on the Middle East.