The Palestine-Israel conflict is the most notorious and ingrained conflict of the twentieth century. Yet the way it is reported in the media is often confusing: we are frequently given little background information, so for the casual observer it is hard to understand the reasons behind the violence. Devoid of context, it is easy to think that this is an ancient conflict with its roots in ancient history. This book provides a clear, accessible introduction that covers the full 2000-year history of the region, from biblical times until today. Perfect for the general reader, as well as students, it offers a comprehensive yet lucid rendering of the conflict, setting it in its proper context. It shows how today’s violence is very much a product of recent history, with its roots in the 20th century. The reader is guided through Ancient Israel, Muhammad and Islam, and on through two world wars, before moving on to a detailed account of the current situation. Each chapter contains notes for further reading.