This book comprises a collection of presentations delivered at the conference, Israel, the Middle East and Islam, convened at the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on March 5-6, 2002. This volume reflects the many views and voices heard in and about the Middle East and offers a multifaceted, interdisciplinary and comprehensive look at a host of the issues experienced in the region on a daily basis. Topics range from the attitudes that exist in the Arab world, the changes brought about by the September 11 events, the new rulers of Syria and Morocco, a comparison of Islamists in Iran to those in Algeria, the economic picture of the “Mediterranean neighborhood,” and of course the Middle East peace process—which, it is believed, remains the only viable option to ensure stability in the region.

Cities of the Ottoman Empire have drawn consistent attention in modern research, which implicitly and explicitly investigates the concept of an "Ottoman city." The great variety of cities in the empire, along with indicators of their commonalities, is clearly reflected in the papers presented here, which discuss cities from Tarbiz to Cairo, from Sivas to Sremska Mitrovica. The papers also reveal the diversity and profusion of source materials which characterize modern Ottoman studies. This volume contains 26 of the over 120 papers presented at the Ninth Congress of the Comité International des Études Préottomanes et Ottomanes (CIEPO), which convened in Jerusalem in July 1990.

Napoleon's defeat at Acre in 1799 is one of the best known episodes of recent world history. The significance of this event – usually seen only within its European or Ottoman context – in the historic development of Palestine itself is seldom recognized. The various processes which led to this turning point in Palestine are described and analyzed here for the first time. The book is based mainly on the rich contemporary evidence left by the Ottoman administrators and French consular agents in Palestine. It unfolds the story of the rise and fall of the local Arab potentate, Dahir al-Umar, and his successor, the ruthless Turkish governor, Jezzar Ahmed Pasha. The book also describes the many facets of 18th century life in the area – internal political and military strife, the intricate relationship between the Ottoman State and its provinces, administrative institutions and their special local features, and the development of trade with Europe. It was in this period that the first seeds of Westernization were sown in Palestine and in the Middle East.