The Iron Cage: The Story of the Palestinian Struggle for Statehood

Rashid Khalidi examines the nearly century-long history of the Palestinian quest for self-determination and statehood in this rigorous historical analysis. Volume 18 of the Beacon Classics series, this edition details the external pressures and legal structures that have constrained the Palestinian population since the late nineteenth century. Moving through the eras of British colonial administration, Israeli military occupation, the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the rise of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, the text provides a critical look at both geopolitical forces and internal leadership failures. Khalidi utilizes a balanced sociopolitical approach to dissect past diplomatic and political efforts, offering readers a sober, historically grounded perspective on one of the longest ongoing military occupations in modern history.