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Book Recommendation

Bookworm | 15.02.2002 14:53

Comrades & Enemies: Arab and Jewish Workers in Palestine 1906 -48 by Prof Z Lockman (1996 California University)
ISBN 0-520-20259-7

Most of us in Britain are aware of current events in the Israel- Palestine- Lebanon region and also of the history of the region after 1948 with the founding of Zionist Israel (or Al Naqba as you wish). We may also be vaguely aware that before 1948, the region was under the 'protection' not of the USA but Britain. Since then, of course Britain lost its influence and the British left turned its attention elsewhere for the most part.
Prof Lockman's book takes a detailed look at how labour relations were conducted there in the first half of the 20th century, and therefore fills a gap in general knowledge (mine certainly) on the subject. Being a textbook rather than a political tract, it avoids too slanted a view, but obviously any textbook on a controversial political theme will disappoint some people.

Bookworm

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Hey, ive got a copy of that !

16.02.2002 14:52

I've got the paperback version, with a fascinating photo on the cover of a joint Palestinian- Jewish strike in the 1920s. I should point out I got it from the 'remainder' section in the uni bookshop so it might be difficult to get hold of. Obviously, the history of this area did not begin in 1948, and its incredible how the official Israeli claim of a deserted land prior to that year is accepted by most people. "Making the desert bloom", and so on).
Also, it seems Stalin was culpable in the founding of Israel, by deliberately withdrawing the USSRs standing objection to it.

Auguste