The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017 by Rashid Khalidi Summary

The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017 by Rashid Khalidi Summary


The Hundred Years' War on Palestine" by Rashid Khalidi, published in 2020, offers a historical analysis of the conflict in Palestine over a century, from 1917 to 2017.

Khalidi, a historian and professor at Columbia University, frames the Zionist claim to Palestine as an instance of late settler colonialism, backed first by British and then American imperialism. He characterizes this period as involving six major "declarations of war" against the Palestinian people.

The book opens by examining an 1889 correspondence between Yusuf Diya ad-Din Pasha al-Khalidi, mayor of Jerusalem and Khalidi's relative, and Theodor Herzl, a prominent figure in Zionism.

This exchange is used to illustrate the colonial nature of Zionism from its inception, emphasizing the marginalization of Palestinian perspectives.

Khalidi then delves into key historical episodes:

1. The First Declaration of War (1917–1939): This part discusses the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate for Palestine, highlighting the absence of acknowledgment for Arab or Palestinian national rights.

2. The Second Declaration of War (1947–1948): The chapter covers the U.S.'s role in supporting the UN partition resolution, leading to the establishment of Israel and the Palestinian Nakba, where approximately 700,000 Palestinians were displaced.

3. The Third Declaration of War (1967): This section discusses the U.S. support for Israel's preemptive strikes in the 1967 War and its backing of UNSC Resolution 242, which legitimized the conquest of territories without mentioning Palestinian rights.

4. The Fourth Declaration of War (1982): The 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, seen as a joint Israeli-American operation, is the focus here, highlighting the aim to obliterate Palestinian nationalism.

5. The Fifth Declaration of War (1987–1995): This chapter addresses the First Intifada, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and the Oslo Accords, which failed to address core Palestinian demands.

6. The Sixth Declaration of War (2000–2014): The final chapter covers the Second Intifada and Israeli military actions in Gaza, emphasizing the role of U.S.-supplied weapons in the conflicts.


Throughout the book, Khalidi employs traditional historical sources and methods, while also drawing on family archives, personal narratives, and his experiences in Palestinian and Israeli negotiations. This approach adds a deeply personal and interconnected perspective to the historical analysis.


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⁃ A Detailed Introduction
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