Holy Land Whose Land

Day after day we are presented with horrific images from the Holy Land: snipers, suicide bombings, homes reduced to rubble, children dying on their way to school. An ironically twisted David and Goliath story pits slingshot armed teenagers against attack helicopters. Outside a still smoldering restaurant a father cradles the breathless body of his young daughter.

This book explains the historical roots of the conflict between Jews and Arabs, which has lost none of its explosiveness to the present day, in a comprehensive and easy-to-understand manner. The question of who owns the Holy Land is more relevant today than ever. The debates on this topic are often characterized by ignorance and strong emotions, while partiality and power interests still obscure the view on the political situation in the Middle East. Shaking up old myths and prejudices, this book presents an overall historical as well as political analysis of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim structures, actors, and actions from the very beginning to this very day, as well as a topical analysis. It combines history with theology and political science. Thus, the book is a must-read for scholars and students of political science, history, and international relations, as well as policy-makers, interested in a better understanding of the historical background and current political situation in the Middle East.

Because events in the Middle East continue to escalate in tragic complexity, Christians still struggle with making sense of it all. In this updated version of "Whose Land? Whose Promise?," Gary Burge further explores the personal emotions and opinions, and sharpens his theological argument in the context of the new developments surrounding the crisis in the Middle East. "Whose Land? Whose Promise?" offers insight for the thoughtful reader on an explosive topic and challenges personal truths on peace.

Holy Land, Whose Land? examines how the land sacred to three world religions has become a cauldron of conflict, struggling with the continual intrusion of the past upon the present. The book traverses the region's history from Abraham to Arafat, focusing on the interface of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and on the issues that today place the Holy Land in the vortex of world affairs.

The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has profoundly affected the Middle East for almost seventy years, and shows no sign of ending. With two peoples claiming the same piece of land for different reasons, it remains a huge political and humanitarian problem. Can it ever be resolved? If so, how? These are the basic questions addressed in a new and substantially revised fifth edition of this highly acclaimed book. Having lived and worked in the Middle East at various times since 1968, Colin Chapman explains the roots of the problem and outlines the arguments of the main parties involved. He also explores the theme of land in the Old and New Testaments, discussing legitimate and illegitimate ways of using the Bible in relation to the conflict. This new and fully updated edition covers developments since 9/11, including the building of the security wall, the increased importance of Hamas and the Islamic dimension of the conflict, and the attacks on Lebanon and Gaza.

A passionate inter-weaving of modern stories, historical study and biblical and theological insight in the quest for justice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whose Land? Whose Promise? is a passionate and personal set of reflections about the crisis in the Middle East, born out of personal experience, historical and theological study. Untold and heartbreaking stories from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are combined with the insights of a biblical scholar with a passion for justice. Burge wrestles with questions such as: - How do I embrace my commitment to Judaism, a commitment to which I am bound by the Bible, when I sense in my deepest being that there is a profound injustice about Israel? - How do I celebrate the birth of this nation Israel when I also mourn the suffering of Arab Christians who are equally my brothers and sisters in Christ? - How do I love those Palestinian Muslims who are deeply mis understood by all parties in this conflict? This book is a powerful, prophetic call for justice that all Christians with an interest in the Middle East ought to ponder carefully.

With more than 250 cross-referenced entries covering every aspect of conflict in the Holy Land, this illuminating book will help students understand the volatile history of Palestine and Israel and its impact on the rest of the world. Palestine is considered a sacred land by Christians, Jews, and Muslims. This has contributed to the violence that has ravaged the Holy Land throughout its long history. This A–Z reference work, which defines the Holy Land as historic Palestine (the combined territories of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip), covers such ancient conflicts as Egypt's rule over Canaan, the reign of King David, and the Jewish Revolts against the Roman Empire. In addition, the title includes detailed entries on such medieval conflicts as the Crusades and such contemporary conflicts as the Arab-Israeli wars. The reference begins with an introduction that provides readers with the necessary context to understand the region's bloody history and a comprehensive chronology that will help students construct a more complete picture of conflict in the Holy Land. Then come hundreds of key entries on the events, individuals, groups, places, and ideologies that have played an important role in the strife there. The title concludes with an expansive bibliography that will aid students looking to do more research on the topic and a thorough index.