At a time when a sustainable peace between Palestinians and Israelis seems nearly impossible, understanding the roots of the longest conflict in the Middle East is essential for learning lessons from the mistakes of the past. In The Iron Cage, Rashid Khalidi, one of the leading scholars of Middle Eastern history, examines the failed struggle of the Palestinians for statehood and presents a fascinating description of the people’s history and leadership. Through this agonized history Khalidi offers a critical and complex perspective that is lacking in the public discourse in Israel. The Hebrew edition of this important book includes a new preface that presents the author’s research and political positions.