This inquiry cuts through competing ideologies and the narratives woven around them by applying the evidence. Building on in-depth research, it maps the patterns of settlement over the last two millennia and gauges the seismic forces framing them. Broad pattern and key events are identified and myths - such as the settler-colonialist story - are debunked. Telling details, concise conclusions and extensive footnotes address falsehoods and fashions and clear much of he confusion. Part II matches these findings to the path set out by Biblical prophecy. An information packed resource yielding surprises to even the knowledgeable. Where possible, footnotes are keyed to open online sources. ---- "At first glance Dr Smelt’s goal to cover 2,000 years of history in a relatively short book, seems somewhat ambitious, but he has achieved it with remarkable cogency. He has synthesized 2,000 years of history, drawing on travellers’ journals, academic studies, archaeology and official records. Moving quickly through the centuries with ease, he has penned a succinct yet very helpful and accessible book for the general reader.” Dr Sheree Trotter, Director, Indigenous Embassy, Jerusalem For other reviews see: - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0473765853 (UK review) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0473745577 (pocket edition under previous title From the River to the Sea ) I discuss points from the book & provide other interesting material at: https://simonsmelt.substack.com/ ----- Simon Smelt has a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics & Masters in sociology. He has worked as analyst or advisor to governments, NGOs, banks etc., and as research director at the Australian National University. Here, his skills help provide an overview backed by multi-faceted research & analysis. ---- From the 1st to the 20th century, we look at the Land and its peoples from the Romans to the British and through revolts and anarchy, leading to the State of Israel. Travelers’ journals, academic studies, archaeology, official records and common sense taken together help us discern broad patterns and clarify key events amidst endless wars and turmoil and our modern political divides and propaganda. We find that the story commonly advanced is not only a vast simplification and distortion, but often demonstrably false. It is a narrative that blurs or obscures events, that blinds far more that it informs. Our careful study demonstrates a contrasting dynamic and a distinct but different path. We explore the movement of peoples, the changes in agriculture, the abandonment of much of the coastal strip, and the toll of incessant warfare and Bedouin raiding. We follow the Ottoman Empire's decline and its 19th century crisis. The study looks at the impact of waves of Moslem and Jewish immigrants, and the strong economic growth and rising tensions under the British Mandate. We examine the manoeuvres of Arab and colonial powers, Zionists and local leaders. The reader discovers just who was exploiting who as the study delivers jolts to common assumptions and portrayals. Our quest leads to sixteen specific and well researched conclusions - just one matches the mainstream account. Over 400 footnotes from diverse sources support the analysis. Quotations are often tracked back to their origin. Contents: Foreword Part I: History Introduction The First Millennium Travellers’ Reports The Ottomans 1800 -1880 The British Mandate Economic Growth Table: Agriculture under the Mandate Arab Immigration under the Mandate Rising Tensions War in the Land Minorities Independence The Palestinian People Conclusions to Part I Part II: Prophecy Maps Appendices: Timeline Official committees Peace initiatives International undertakings Endnotes This is a revised and extended edition. With so much noise and confusion in this area, I determined to write a few articles clearing up some of the muddle and refuting a few of the lies circulating. I knew it was bad, but I was shocked by the extent to which false and misleading information has become embedded in mainstream discourse and submerged or twisted key facts. There is a lot of stunningly bad academic research out there too. - I say that as someone who as acted as a research director at the Australian National University.- So I got stuck in. Some of the information I uncovered surprised me and is very little known. So, here's the book. And here is the beginning of my my conclusions to Part I: We have journeyed through a history both colourful and doleful. The region between the river and the sea is set at the grating point between major cultures, religions and imperial domains to the north and to the south, to the east and to the west. The city named Jerusalem - which in Hebrew means 'to see peace' - has seen little peace: from invaders, rebels, plagues, earthquakes, and vicious or incapable rulers. We have only touched on the many harrowing descriptions of suffering, oppression, and destruction and the many encouragi