Professor Oren Kessler discusses his acclaimed book, examining the pivotal Arab Revolt of 1936-1939 and its profound impact on Palestinian national identity and the foundations of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
On September 24, 2026, the Meltzer Schwartzberg Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Studies Program welcomed Professor Oren Kessler, acclaimed author and Goldman Visiting Professor at Georgetown University, to discuss his award-winning book, Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict. In Palestine 1936, Kessler examines the Arab Revolt of 1936-1939, a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He explores how this watershed moment shaped Palestinian national identity, transformed the Jewish community in Mandatory Palestine, and laid critical foundations for the conflict that continues to reverberate throughout the Middle East today.
