This volume examines British and US attitudes towards the means and mechanisms for the facilitation of an Arab-Israeli reconciliation, focusing specifically on the refugee factor in diplomatic initiatives. It explains why Britain and the US were unable to reconcile the local parties to an agreement on the future of the Palestinian refugees.

Simon A. Waldman is Lecturer in Middle Eastern Studies at King's College London, UK. He teaches the Arab-Israeli Conflict, statebuilding in the Middle East and Turkish history and politics.

Acknowledgements Introduction. The Palestinian Refugee Problem as an Impediment to Peace 1. The Palestine Factor in Anglo-American Post-War Middle Eastern Policy, 1945-1948 2. Friends Reunited? Britain and the US Respond to the Palestinian Refugee Problem 3. Diplomatic Deadlock: The Palestine Conciliation Commission and the Palestinian Refugee Problem (Part 1) 4. Economics Over Politics: The Palestine Conciliation Commission and the Palestinian Refugee Problem (Part 2) 5. Compensation: The Key to Break the Logjam? 6. The Refugee Factor in Direct Arab-Israeli Negotiations 7. The Birth of UNRWA: the Institutionalisation of Failed Diplomacy Conclusion Bibliography