I have read many books on the Israel Arab conflict, yet I consider that “Letter to my Palestinian neighbor”, a very short book by Yossi Klein Halevi, to be the best book that I have read on the conflict. This is why.

First, the book explains in very simple yet eloquent terms the whole context of Israel’s history and how it fits within Jewish history.

Second, the book doesn’t simply state facts, which many books do, but it also does something that few books do well: Explain the Jewish attachment to Israel and particularly to Judea and Samaria, and the dilemma and conflict that it creates for Israelis when they consider giving up part of their land for a Palestinian state.

Third, the book does an excellent job of recognizing that the Palestinians are people with their own history and their own challenges, and not just a faceless enemy, while at the same time honestly stating how they have stood in the way of a resolution to the conflict, and how they continue to do so.

Fourth, the book is short and easy to read and understand, which is an essential element for a book meant for wide distribution.

The book is addressed to Palestinians, but an equally important audience is the rest of the world. Those who read the book with an open mind will get a lot out of it.