With daily changes in the headlines, it has become more important than ever to understand the history of the problems between Israelis and Palestinians in order to make sense of the present. The PLO's crucial political influence and its relationship to Israel form the focus of this new coedited volume. Bringing together top scholars of Israeli, Palestinian, and other international origins, The PLO and Israel examines not only the history of the PLO and its conflict with Israel, but also the transition of the PLO from the national liberation movement of the Palestinian people to a governing body. The scholars study such topics as the early foundations of the PLO, the relationship between the PLO and the United States, the role of women in the Intifada and the peace process, and the continuing development of the PLO's philosophy. An unusual attempt to bridge a gap over national historical narratives, The PLO and Israel presents an Israeli-Palestinian dialogue about a common past and offers hope for a deeper understanding in the future.