1930s the british failed repeatedly to reconcile competing arab and jewish demands. Was the british mandate destined to fail . Before i answer that if i could just thank the Wilson Center rob, for this event. And state unequivocally that it wasnt for the Wilson Center this book would not be possible. It took this long to write that i was to prop twice as a filter it was extremely generous of the september so want to thank the previous president , lee hamilton, current president Jane Harman Janet and the library. This is a huge treasure thats here. The wisdom of the United States congress which is not something we are of often integrating the Wilson Center and making it is enormous resource for scholars but also a resource to discuss i think cuttingedge policy issues. And, finally, let me thank my old friend rob, not just for friendship and support in particular with this book over the years, but really a very under the weather and extremely kindly refused to hand the baton to someone e