Whose Land?: A History of the Peoples of Palestine

by James Parkes

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 014021089X
• ISBN13: 9780140210897
• Release Date: September 1970
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 334 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A history of the Holy Land by a friend of the Jewish people

James Parkes is most known for the historical work in which he revealed the Christian roots of Anti- Semitism. His researches contributed to the fundamental changes in Catholic doctrinal relational to the Jews. Parkes was a pioneer in opposing 'replacement theology' the idea that Christian revelation had somehow usurped the Revelation given the people of Israel. His contributions to the Christian transformation towards greater understanding and cooperation with Judaism are his foremost legacy. Parkes however was also a student of Jewish history in all its phases. In this present volume he surveys the history of what he in the book refers to as 'the Land'. He provides a convincing and clear overall summary of the land 's conquerors and populations, Canaanites, Hebrews, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Turks, and Israelis. Parkes is generous and fair-minded and considers carefully the claims and rights of Christians and Muslims as well as Jews. In fact he in the book's conclusion makes the interesting suggestion of a kind of three- part administrative body to deal with the Holy Sites in the Old City of Jerusalem. Yet Parkes is especially strong in narrating and recognizing the historical Jewish claim to the land. He sees in his discussion of Jerusalem that while for Christianity the city's holy places are important, and for Islam it is after Mecca and Medina a place of religious significance, it has been and is for the Jews the center of their identity and story. He too provides excellent and sympathetic analysis of the political situation which emerged at the time this book was published immediately after the Six- Day War in 1967. Parkes is understanding of the Palestinian Arabs who he believes were badly served by various Arab governments. He expresses the hope that they will find a means of expression for their collective identity outside of the realm of Terror. While his support for , and even identification with the history of the Jewish people in Israel urges Israeli generosity and consideration towards Christian and Islamic rights in the Holy Land. His final note is an optimistic one. He believes that Justice will finally be done in the Holy Land for the concept itself is rooted in its History.