Israelis and Palestinians

Jonathan Glover is one of Britain's leading moral philosophers. He is Emeritus Professor of Ethics at King's College London, where he also served as Director of the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics, and previously taught at New College, Oxford. His many books include Choosing Children: Genes, Disability and Design, Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century, and Alien Landscapes?: Interpreting Disordered Minds.

"What singles this book out from all others about the conflict are two features: a sympathetic recognition of the traumas on both sides, but, more importantly, a deeper attempt to unravel and suggest ways to overcome the underlying and by-now self-perpetuating psychological forces that make peace today improbable. This is not a narrative that offers us a ready template for a 'solution' in the classical sense: it is a call for what needs to be done to make what is now an improbable solution a possible one. For me, it was an eye-opener!"Sari Nusseibeh, President Emeritus, Al-Quds University"Israelis and Palestinians is a book about a land and its tormented politics, but it is first and foremost about people. Jonathan Glover's humanist perspective avoids the common pitfalls of assigning blame or proposing 'out-of-the-box' solutions to the indefatigable conflict. His empathetic account of the social and psychological barriers to peace is indispensable for anyone interested in understanding the conflict, let alone solving it."Assaf Sharon, Molad, The Center for the Renewal of Israeli Democracy"deeply relevant [...]. With insight and understanding, Glover merges philosophy with psychology, arguing that atrocities are committed because of deeply embedded human tendencies."Gabrielle Rifkind, The Guardian"Glover's stature as a moral philosopher affords a unique and valuable perspective."The Critic"This deeply pondered reflection on one of the most intractable of contemporary conflicts by a distinguished moral philosopher could not be more timely [...] its distilled wisdom will remain a rich resource for a new generation of peacemakers."Church Times"passionately humane"Sydney Morning Herald"If there were one book [Trump's] advisors might read in guiding him, this might be it. It would also be a good starting point for zealots supporting either side."InterLib Magazine

• AcknowledgementsProloguePart One: The Cycle of ViolenceChapter 1: Disputed HomelandChapter 2: Wounds and Backlash Chapter 3: Breaking the Cycle?Chapter 4: Joining the Conversation of MankindPart Two: BacklashChapter 5: The Psychology of BacklashChapter 6: The Illusions of BacklashChapter 7: Collective Guilt: The Role of StereotypesPart Three: Rigid Beliefs and IdentityChapter 8: The Role of Rigid BeliefsChapter 9: Belief Systems: Challenge and ResponseChapter 10: Identity TrapsEpilogueNotesIndex