Book Review: Dale Hanson Bourke on The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Dale Hanson Bourke

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Tough Questions, Direct Answers
Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2013.
Available at Amazon.com

Okay, the Israeli-Palestinian is a sensitive issue, invoking great pathos and emotion, and a lot of theological baggage is also bound up with the discussion. I’m glad to say that this book by Dale Hanson Bourke, as part of her Skeptic’s Guide Series, offers a fair, balanced, and wholesome introduction to the debate.

In many ways, it is a general fact book about the state of Israel and the Palestinian people, covering areas like geography (difference between Gaza strip and the West Bank), the history of the Zionist movement, Abrahamic religions, the “Nakba” or “catastrophe” of 1948 (commemorated on 15 May), suicide bombers, the green line, Israeli and Palestinian government structures, etc.

When it comes to the key issues, Bourke points to four areas: (1) borders and security; (2) Israeli settlements; (3) Palestinian refugees; and (4) Jerusalem.  Part of the problem is that while all parties have given support to a two-state solution, what the two states would look like and require is not agreed upon (e.g., dismantlement of Israeli settlements). Interesting also is John Bolton’s proposal for a three-state solution whereby Gaza would revert o Egyptian control (as it was in 1967) and the West Bank would revert to Jordanian control (as it was in 1967). It is important to notice that the Palestinian are not only mistreated within Israel, they are also mistreated by other Arab nations and discriminated against.

Bourke’s view is that should not necessarily be pro-Israel or pro-Palestine, she’s fully aware of the complexity of the issue on various social, historical, and religious levels. What she asks people to be is pro-peace. She concludes: “What I believe is this: We all need to learn more about Israelis and Palestinians, to better understand each of their struggles. We need to listen more. Yes, we need to advocate, but out of knowledge, not emotion. We need to meet more people who we see as representing ‘the other side,’ and then we must sincerely listen to what they have to say. We have to start by modeling peace and openness in our own relationships and discussions about these issues.”

In the end, this is a great book to read to get a grip on the history, background, and key issues in the conflict.