War of Return How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace

Two prominent Israeli leftists argue that the conflict between Israel and Palestine cannot end until Palestinians give up the idea of "right of return."

In 1948, over eight hundred thousand Palestinians fled their homes in order to escape the Israeli War of Independence. They brought their keys with them, hoping to return home after the dust settled. More than seventy years later, most of those homes are gone, but several million Palestinian "refugees" are still living in camps, and they still have their keys. No one has ever explained why this group, unlike countless others that were displaced in the aftermath of World War II, has remained unsettled. This issue, known as the "right of return," is the single largest obstacle to lasting peace between Palestine and Israel.

In The War of Return, Adi Schwartz and Einat Wilf make the case that this conflict will never end until the Palestinians abandon the right of return once and for all. In this deeply-researched and unbiased political history, the authors--both liberal Israelis strongly in favor of a two-state solution--reveal the origins of this concept, prove that it has no legal or moral standing whatsoever, and argue that a two state solution will never be possible until the Palestinians give it up. They also make an impassioned call for the United States, the UN, and the EU to recognize this fact for the good of the Palestinian people and global peace.

A runaway bestseller in Israel, the first English translation of The War of Return is certain to spark lively debate throughout the Jewish community in America and abroad.

Two prominent Israeli liberals argue that for the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to end with peace, Palestinians must come to terms with the fact that there will be no right of return.

In 1948, seven hundred thousand Palestinians were forced out of their homes by the first Arab-Israeli War. More than seventy years later, most of their houses are long gone, but millions of their descendants are still registered as refugees, with many living in refugee camps. This group--unlike countless others that were displaced in the aftermath of World War II and other conflicts--has remained unsettled, demanding to settle in the state of Israel. Their belief in a right of return is one of the largest obstacles to successful diplomacy and lasting peace in the region.

In The War of Return, Adi Schwartz and Einat Wilf--both liberal Israelis supportive of a two-state solution--reveal the origins of the idea of a right of return, and explain how UNRWA - the very agency charged with finding a solution for the refugees - gave in to Palestinian, Arab and international political pressure to create a permanent "refugee" problem. They argue that this Palestinian demand for a "right of return" has no legal or moral basis and make an impassioned plea for the US, the UN, and the EU to recognize this fact, for the good of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

A runaway bestseller in Israel, the first English translation of The War of Return is certain to spark lively debate throughout America and abroad.