Whose Promised Land by Colin Chapman

The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is one of the most complex and intractable problems anywhere in the world. It has profoundly affected the whole of the Middle East for more than 50 years, and no doubt contributed to the anger and resentment which led to the terrorist outrages of 11 September 2001. With two people claiming the same piece of land for different reasons, can this conflict ever be resolved? And if so, how?

These are the basic questions addressed in this new and substantially revised edition of a highly acclaimed book. Writing from the perspective of someone who has lived and worked in different countries of the middle East for 16 years at various times since 1968, the author explains the roots of the conflect, tracing its history up to the present time and outlining the arguments of the main parties involved. He also explores the theme of the land in the Old and New Testaments, pointing out legitimate and illegitimate ways of using the Bible in relation to the conflict.

This new edition brings the history up to date and expands the biblical material. It also contains new chapters on Zionism, Christian Zionism and Dispensationalism, the power equation in the world today and Islamic responses to Zionism.