Rashid Khalidi’s “The Hundred Years War on Palestine”

Khalidi’s book details a century of conflict, from the Balfour Declaration to 2017, framing it as six “declarations of war” against the Palestinian people. It challenges conventional narratives, offering a Palestinian perspective on settler colonialism and resistance.

Overview of the Book

Rashid Khalidi’s “The Hundred Years War on Palestine” offers a comprehensive historical account of the Palestinian experience from 1917 to 2017. The book departs from traditional narratives, framing the conflict not as a mere clash between two peoples, but as a protracted series of colonial wars waged against the Palestinian population. Khalidi masterfully interweaves personal anecdotes from his family’s history with rigorous historical analysis, creating a powerful and deeply personal narrative. He utilizes extensive archival research and diverse sources to paint a vivid picture of Palestinian resistance in the face of systemic oppression. The book’s structure is unique, organizing the narrative around six distinct “declarations of war,” each marking a pivotal phase in the conflict.

Key Themes⁚ Settler Colonialism and Resistance

Central to Khalidi’s narrative is the concept of settler colonialism, arguing that the Zionist project in Palestine was not merely a territorial dispute but a systematic effort to displace and dispossess the indigenous Palestinian population. The book meticulously details the mechanisms of this colonial project, highlighting the role of British imperial power and subsequent US support in facilitating the Zionist enterprise. Alongside this analysis of colonial structures, Khalidi emphasizes Palestinian resistance. He showcases the diverse forms of resistance employed by Palestinians throughout the century, from armed struggle and political mobilization to cultural preservation and non-violent civil disobedience. The book reveals the resilience and agency of the Palestinian people in the face of overwhelming odds, highlighting their ongoing struggle for self-determination.

The Six “Declarations of War”

Khalidi structures his historical account around six pivotal periods, each representing a distinct phase of conflict and escalating violence against Palestinians. These “declarations of war” are not literal declarations but rather represent significant turning points in the ongoing struggle. The framework allows for a chronological examination of the conflict, highlighting key events and their lasting impact. The first phase encompasses the Balfour Declaration and the British Mandate period, setting the stage for subsequent conflicts. Subsequent phases encompass the 1947-48 war and the Nakba, the Six-Day War of 1967 and its aftermath, the Lebanese invasion of 1982, the First and Second Intifadas, and the conflicts of the 2000s. Each phase is meticulously detailed, demonstrating the interconnectedness of events and the continuous nature of the struggle.

The Balfour Declaration and British Mandate (1917-1947)

This period, marked by the Balfour Declaration, laid the groundwork for the conflict, establishing British control and fueling Zionist aspirations while disregarding Palestinian rights.

The Impact of British Policy on Palestinians

British Mandate policies profoundly impacted Palestinians. The Balfour Declaration, promising a Jewish homeland in Palestine, undermined Palestinian self-determination. Land seizures for Jewish settlements dispossessed Palestinians, disrupting their livelihoods and social structures. Restrictive laws limited Palestinian political participation and economic opportunities, creating a system of inequality. The British administration often favored Zionist interests, further marginalizing the Palestinian population. This preferential treatment fueled resentment and resistance among Palestinians, who increasingly viewed the British as collaborators with the Zionist project. The British inability or unwillingness to effectively mediate between the two sides exacerbated the conflict, creating a volatile environment that ultimately contributed to the outbreak of widespread violence and displacement.

Arab Revolt and Palestinian Resistance

Palestinian resistance to British policies and Zionist expansion took various forms. Early resistance was often localized and sporadic, but it gradually intensified. The 1936-1939 Arab Revolt, a large-scale uprising against British rule and Zionist immigration, demonstrated widespread Palestinian opposition. This revolt, though ultimately unsuccessful in achieving its immediate goals, highlighted the depth of Palestinian grievances and the determination to resist dispossession. Various Palestinian groups, from peasant communities to urban organizations, participated in acts of defiance, ranging from peaceful protests and strikes to armed clashes with British forces and Zionist militias. The revolt’s legacy is significant, illustrating Palestinian resolve and the enduring struggle for national self-determination in the face of overwhelming odds. The experience shaped Palestinian identity and laid the groundwork for future forms of resistance.

The 1947-1948 War and the Nakba

The UN Partition Plan, adopted in 1947, proposed dividing Palestine. Its failure led to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, resulting in the displacement and exile of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians—the Nakba.

The UN Partition Plan and its Consequences

The United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, Resolution 181, adopted in November 1947, aimed to resolve the escalating conflict between Jewish and Arab inhabitants by dividing Mandatory Palestine into independent Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem placed under international administration. This plan, however, proved deeply flawed and ultimately unsustainable. The Arab Higher Committee vehemently rejected the plan, viewing it as inherently unjust and a betrayal of Palestinian aspirations for self-determination within a unified state. The Jewish Agency, while accepting the plan in principle, expressed reservations about its specific provisions. The inherent inequities and the lack of consensus among the key stakeholders sowed the seeds of further conflict. The failure to implement the plan effectively contributed to the outbreak of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, a brutal conflict that resulted in the displacement of a large segment of the Palestinian population and the establishment of the State of Israel. The legacy of the Partition Plan continues to shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to this day, fueling resentment, mistrust, and the ongoing struggle for a just and lasting peace.

The Displacement and Exile of Palestinians

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, a direct consequence of the failed UN Partition Plan, resulted in the mass displacement and exile of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. This event, known as the Nakba (“catastrophe”), irrevocably altered the demographic landscape of Palestine. Palestinian villages were destroyed, and their inhabitants forced to flee their homes, often with little more than the clothes on their backs. Many sought refuge in neighboring Arab countries, becoming refugees in camps that persist to this day. The displacement was not merely physical; it was also a profound cultural and social upheaval, severing families and communities from their ancestral lands and disrupting their way of life. The expulsion and dispossession of Palestinians remain a central issue in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, fueling the demand for a right of return and compensation for lost property and livelihoods. The lasting consequences of the Nakba continue to shape the political and social realities of the region.

Subsequent Conflicts and Their Impact

Khalidi’s book analyzes later conflicts, including the Six-Day War and the Intifadas, detailing their devastating impact on the Palestinian population and their ongoing struggle for self-determination.

The Six-Day War (1967) and its Aftermath

Rashid Khalidi’s “The Hundred Years War on Palestine” extensively covers the 1967 Six-Day War, a pivotal moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The concise yet detailed account within the book highlights Israel’s swift victory and its profound consequences for the Palestinian people; The war resulted in the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and Sinai Peninsula by Israel. Khalidi’s narrative emphasizes the dramatic displacement and dispossession of Palestinians that followed the war, drastically altering the demographic landscape and fueling further conflict. The book explores the long-term effects of the occupation, including the expansion of Israeli settlements, the imposition of military rule in occupied territories, and the intensification of the struggle for Palestinian self-determination. This section of Khalidi’s work is crucial for understanding the ongoing conflict’s complexities and the deep-seated grievances that continue to fuel tensions in the region. The lasting impact of the 1967 war, as depicted in the book, is undeniable and profoundly shapes the current political realities.

The First and Second Intifadas

Khalidi’s “The Hundred Years War on Palestine” dedicates significant space to analyzing the First and Second Intifadas, massive Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation. The First Intifada (1987-1993), characterized by widespread civil disobedience and popular resistance, is portrayed as a spontaneous eruption of anger and frustration fueled by decades of oppression. The book details the methods employed by Palestinians, from stone-throwing to boycotts, highlighting the resilience and determination of the Palestinian people in the face of overwhelming military force. The Second Intifada (2000-2005), a more violent uprising marked by suicide bombings and armed clashes, is also meticulously documented. Khalidi’s account examines the factors contributing to the escalation of violence, including the failure of the Oslo Accords and the continued expansion of Israeli settlements. The book analyzes the devastating impact of both Intifadas on the Palestinian population, including significant loss of life and the destruction of infrastructure. While acknowledging the violence, Khalidi’s work frames the Intifadas as expressions of a desperate struggle for freedom and self-determination, underscoring the enduring Palestinian resistance in the face of prolonged occupation.