Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: The Israeli–Arab Tragedy is a book by historian and former Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami,[1] which examines the history of the Arab–Israeli conflict. Dr. Ben-Ami describes this work as an interpretative overview of his understanding of the conflict and peace process.[2]
The book is notable for the challenges it offers to many of Israel's founding myths and also for its severe appraisals of Israeli policies over the half-century before its publication.[3] According to Ian Black, the point the book makes is that "the Palestine conflict is a tragedy, not a crime, though crimes have been committed by both sides".[1]
Ben-Ami is critical of the Oslo process, noting that it was flawed from the start due to its ambiguity, lack of clear objectives, and a definitive timetable for achieving them. He points to the lack of preparations on both sides for the painful concessions that peace would require, and the absence of sufficient confidence-building measures to ensure that both parties honored their commitments.
The book also discusses how the expansion of settlements through both the Likud and Labor governments and the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin seriously undermined the peace efforts. Ben-Ami argues that subsequent Israeli leaders were not as committed to the peace process and that the Palestinian leadership missed opportunities and lacked the cohesive strategy necessary for peace.[2]