Abstract
The State of Israel was born on May 14, 1948, yet this class begins in the late 19th century Europe, for Israel’s birth cannot be understood outside of that context. We will focus on the conditions that gave rise to both Jewish and Palestinian nationalism, study the paths available and taken by these two groups during the Ottoman period and the British Mandate, as well as after 1948 and beyond. We will move chronologically, focusing on the major events and on key players in this story. As we listen to both academic voices as well as those of participants, we will learn about the complex society that inhabits the region today.