v
About the Author xii
Preface xiii
Introduction xv
Chapter 1: Foundations of the Contemporary Middle East
Overview 3
Part I: Post–Ottoman Empire: A New Middle East, 1915–
Toward Arab Independence 8
Document: Letter from Hussein to McMahon 10
Document: Letter from McMahon to Hussein 11
Post–World War I Division 13
Document: Sykes-Picot Agreement 14
Arab–Jewish Dialogue 17
Document: The Weizmann-Faisal Agreement 18
General Syrian Congress and the King-Crane Commission 20
Document: Statement by the General Syrian Congress 21
Part II: The Issue of Palestine, 1917–
A Jewish National Home 23
Document: Balfour Declaration 24
Mandate for Palestine 25
Document: League of Nations Mandate for Palestine 27
Chapter 2: Arabs and Israelis
Overview 37
Part I: Mandate Palestine and Israel, 1917–
The Peel Commission 42
Document: Official Summary of the Palestine Royal Commission 45