Whose Holy Land?

For supporters of both archaeology and Israel this volume is a must-read. Here, finally, is a reasoned, documented defense of the historical Jewish presence in Jerusalem. It is based upon the detailed history of decades of archeological work and Arab attempts to discredit and destroy its findings. Polemical in nature, Whose Holy Land?: Archaeology Meets Geopolitics in Today's Middle East establishes the case for the Jewish claim to both Jerusalem and the land of Israel. --Rabbi Joel R. Schwartzman, Dillon, Colorado / Charlottesville, Virginia Kenneth Hanson's laudable study on Land of Israel archaeology and conflicting Palestinian claims to Whose Holy Land? proposes a setting marked by the collaboration of the biblical Israelite religion and peoplehood and contemporary Palestinian geopolitical and historical claims. An informative investigative methodology and exciting writing style permeate exacting episodes of Israeli archaeology then and now. In sum, this is a testament to the vitality of Israelite archaeology which is sound in scholarship and particularly appealing to general readers. --Zev Garber, Los Angeles Valley College, Valley Glen, CA. Professor Hanson has a unique gift for making history and archaeology accessible and meaningful. In this book, he combines his deep knowledge of Israel and its history with a realistic approach to today's political challenges. Never one to mince words, Professor Hanson describes the facts on the ground as he sees them, with the benefit of a historical perspective that helps the reader make sense of the current situation. --Rabbi Sanford Olshansky, Adjunct Professor, University of Central Florida