This collective book is the first volume of the social sciences oriented series Controversies from the Promised Land. Mainly Palestinian academics and opposition leaders (Hamas, Islamic Jihad) analyze and interpret the socio-political situation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, 6 years after the Israeli-Palestinian Oslo Agreements. Academic Studies and Essays-Reports-Opinion Papers build the two parts of this book. It addresses scholars, decision-makers, opinion-leaders who want to understand roots and essentials of a historical and political conflict which endorses the whole 20th century, displaying enough vicious potential to remain on stage after the Year 2000, too.