Tackling the Intractable: Palestinian Refugees and the Search for Middle East Peace

ISBN-13: 9783039112982 / Angielski / Miękka / 2007 / 370 str.

Chiller-Glaus, Michael

Opis

Finding a solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees has remained the main hurdle for an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement. This book represents a comprehensive political analysis of the Palestinian refugee issue. It tackles the matter on four dimensions. First, the historical context of the Palestinian exodus in both 1948 and 1967 is reviewed. Second, the question is traced whether there exists a Palestinian right of return according to international law. Third, an examination is presented regarding how and why the issue of refugees has remained a stumbling block during the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Fourth, the main part of the book analyses potential solutions to the refugee question, complementing the existing proposals with models developed by the author. What are their implications for both sides? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each proposal to Israelis and Palestinians, respectively? What is the relevance of each proposal as a mutually acceptable solution? Finally, a set of recommendations and guide-lines for future Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on refugees is presented. Overall, this study constitutes a valuable reference for anyone interested in a solution of the most intractable aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Recenzje

«This book is a first-rate study of a very important problem. It cannot be recommended too highly.» (Krzysztof Bojko, Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs)
«Bei der Suche nach einer nachhaltigen Lösung für den israelisch-palästinensischen Konflikt stellt die Frage nach der Zukunft der palästinensischen Flüchtlinge wohl die grösste Herausforderung dar. Michael Chiller-Glaus, Redaktor bei der Neuen Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), liefert nun mit 'Tackling the Intractable. Palestinian Refugees and the Search for Middle East Peace' eine umfassende Analyse zu dieser Problematik. Das Buch gibt einen Überblick über wichtige historische und rechtliche Aspekte und ihre Wahrnehmung durch die beiden Parteien. Es werden die Lösungsansätze vorgestellt, die in den bisherigen offiziellen Verhandlungen auf den Tisch kamen. Besonders interessant ist die ausführliche Diskussion der nicht-offiziellen und teilweise unpublizierten Vorschläge, von denen einige auch vielen Fachleuten nicht bekannt sein dürften.» (Swisspeace, KOFF-Newsletter)
«Allen, die sich umfassend und ausgewogen über das Flüchtlingsproblem informieren wollen, wird dieses Buch von ganzem Herzen empfohlen.» (Annette Brunschwig, Luchot)

Spis treści

Contents: Reviewing the historical context of 1948: The various stages of the Palestinian exodus - Comparing Israeli and Palestinian narratives - Presenting the current situation on the ground of Palestinian refugees - Evaluating differing definitions of a Palestinian refugee - Legal analysis of whether there is a right of return - Examining the issue of Palestinian refugees as a stumbling block during Israeli-Palestinian negotiations - Categorizing potential solutions - Analysing the implications of each solution for Israelis and Palestinians, respectively - Recommendations and guide-lines for future Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on the issue of Palestinian refugees.

O autorze

The Author: Michael Chiller-Glaus was born in Winterthur, Switzerland. He holds a Bachelor's degree with honours in International Relations and German Literature from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. From 1998-1999 he worked as an assistant for the Jerusalem office of Der Spiegel. In 2002 he received his Master's degree in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International Studies (Geneva) and in 2006 his doctoral degree from the University of Basel. Currently he works as an editor at the Neue Zürcher Zeitung.