The Case for Palestine: The Perspective of an Australian Observer

Paul Heywood-Smith's interest in the Arab-Israeli conflict commenced in London in 1973 at the time of the Yom Kippur War. He was then a young lawyer imbued with the values derived from the fight against apartheid and opposition to the Vietnam War. His thesis is that the conflict is the defining conflict of our time, and has had that status for at least sixty years. It is behind the rise of militant Islam. It was the impetus for 9/11 and 7/7. The Case for Palestine presents the history and the issues objectively - and subjectively - in a way comprehensible by all in society. Not to be informed of the Arab-Israeli conflict is to fail to understand what is happening in our lives: in respect of our privacy, our national defence, our security when travelling, our future and our children's future. Heywood-Smith argues that it is the responsibility of all adult and thinking members of the world community to inform themselves of the background to the conflict and the current issues associated with its resolution. It is not good enough for thinking people to say to themselves 'it's too hard'. Nor is it good enough to say: 'I am not anti-Semitic; I must support Israel.' Praise for The Case For Palestine: 'Compelling, confronting and controversial. A must read for anyone who wants to understand this interminable and tragic conflict.' - Nick Xenophon, Senator for South Australia 'Very readable...very timely...There is much to admire in Heywood-Smith's understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian issue...Heywood-Smith's account is thoughtful and he consistently endeavours to appreciate the Israeli side of the conflict.' - Noah R. Bassil, Australian Options Paul Heywood-Smith is an Australian barrister and Queen's Counsel who has maintained an interest in Palestine for over forty years. That interest led him to accept the role of Chairperson of the Australian Friends of Palestine Association, an organisation dedicated to the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of international law and UN resolutions. He visited the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2010 and has travelled widely in the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Syria and Jordan in the period 2007 to 2011.