Israel’s Forever War Israel, Palestine and the Last Hopes for Peace

“Truly, from the first page I found it captivating. It answers many questions and also explains what is happening now with sound reference to the historical context. I am pleased that the author stayed optimistic in the final chapters by offering some hope of finding a solution to the longest of conflicts.”

Reem AlHilou, honorary consul of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to the Republic of Sudan

“Riveting. A must-read book for anyone concerned about the horrors of Gaza or the future of the Middle East. Moorcraft argues convincingly that despite widespread opposition to a two-state solution, it is the only way to end the forever war.”

Michael Smith, author of The Real Special Relationship: The True Story of How the British and US Secret Services Work Together

“Paul Moorcraft has chronicled humanity at its most fragile and raw for more than half a century. In both his native Britain and globally, Moorcraft has helped a generation of students, scholars and practitioners make sense of war, on both the frontlines of geopolitical rivalries and their most obscure margins. In Israel’s Forever War, Moorcraft weighs up the rapidly fading prospects for peace between Israel and its neighbours following the era-defining attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023. Measured, insightful and urgent, Israel’s Forever War challenges us all to think anew about solutions to the world’s most intractable conflict.”

Dr Terence McNamee, global fellow at the Wilson Center, Washington DC

“Paul Moorcraft does what journalists do best – take a complex issue and make it accessible. In Israel’s Forever War, Moorcraft dissects the many thorny issues that, over the decades, have led to the ongoing Israel–Gaza tragedy. He parses the players, the countries, their motives, the conflicts, the media and potential outcomes, trying to present all sides. His ultimate view is that a new world order is emerging. Jordan, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states could help pave the way to a two-state solution and peace… If not, ‘the dangerous status quo will remain – that way lies permanent war’.”

Heidi Kingstone, author of Dispatches from the Kabul Café and Genocide

“Forensic research has become the trademark of defence expert Dr Paul Moorcraft and his latest book is no exception. His expert analysis will please no one on either side of the conflict, which is a tribute to his pragmatic approach to writing about one of the most complex and volatile political landscapes in the world today. The book is a great introduction for the many who struggle to understand the nuances of the Middle East conflict and how it has affected the psychology of Israeli society. Written without fear or favour to either side, what you get from this book is the authoritative view of one of the most prolific defence authors, who always comes from a point of knowledge.”

Dr Yvonne Ridley, broadcaster, politician, former nominee for Muslim Woman of the Year and author of In the Hands of the Taliban

“As Israel pursues revenge in Gaza with violence, the wider Middle East is reaching such levels of stress that the peace of the world is threatened. Paul Moorcraft’s very good book explains clearly and simply how it all went so horribly wrong.”

Graham Bound, author of Invasion 1982: The Falkland Islanders’ Story and At the Going Down of the Sun: Love, Loss and Sacrifice in Afghanistan

“From a concise timeline through topic-specific chapters, Paul Moorcraft has combined expertise as an historian, military lecturer and foreign correspondent to make what he terms an ‘interim report on the forever war that may or may not reach an historic culmination point’. An ideal starting point for anyone trying to make sense of the Israel–Palestine conflict.”

Allen Pizzey, former CBS News foreign correspondent

“Israel’s Forever War demands the reader’s attention from its very first sentence. What follows is a forensic analysis of the October 2023 attack and its aftermath and a punchy discussion of what happens next. Paul Moorcraft writes intelligently and accessibly, combining the scholar’s eye for complexity with the journalist’s nose for fairness. ‘Must-read’ is a rather overused compliment to pay when reviewing a book, but in this case it’s more than justified.”

Paul Cornish, Professor of Strategic Studies, University of Exeter

“A step-by-step primer for perhaps the world’s most intractable political and military dispute, written with Professor Moorcraft’s characteristically concise and engaging style.”

James Barker, formerly of the Imperial War Museum and an authority on Mandatory Palestine

“Paul Moorcraft has chronicled humanity at its most fragile and raw for more than half a century. In both his native Britain and globally, Moorcraft has helped a generation of students, scholars and practitioners make sense of war, on both the front lines of geopolitical rivalries and their most obscure margins. In Israel’s Forever War, Moorcraft weighs up the rapidly fading prospects for peace between Israel and its neighbours following the era-defining attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023. Measured, insightful and urgent, Israel’s Forever War challenges us all to think anew about solutions to the world’s most intractable conflict.”

Dr Terence McNamee, global fellow at the Wilson Center, Washington DC

“In a step-by-step analysis, Moorcraft paints a pessimistic but necessary picture of the outlook for Israel and the Middle East. Assiduously argued but always in a balanced way, this book should be required reading for all policymakers.”

Stephen Chan OBE, Professor of World Politics, SOAS University of London