'[this book] provides students of the Middle East, Palestine and Jerusalem a cogent and rich discussion of a unique moment in Jerusalem's history - he should be commended for undertaking such thorough research to complete this study.' - International Journal of Middle East Studies '..an important work which should provoke further debate about this crucial moment in the history of Palestine.' - Bulletin of SOAS 'This fine book covers new ground on the history of both Jerusalem and Palestine. Roberto Mazza sheds light on a crucial and under-researched period of the history of Palestine which witnessed the issue of the Balfour declaration and the fast development of Zionist propaganda as a prelude to the establishment of the British mandate' - Nelida Fuccaro, Reader in the Modern History of the Middle East, SOAS, University of London 'Roberto Mazza's study is the best work we have to date on Jerusalem during the transition from Ottoman to British rule.' - Nir Arielli, Lecturer in International History and Politics, University of Leeds 'Roberto Mazza's study highlights the essential mechanisms and infrastructures that were in place in Jerusalem during the Ottoman era and how this had an impact on British visions for the city' - Vivian Ibrahim, Croft Assistant Professor of History and International Studies of the Middle East, University of Mississippi

Roberto Mazza gained his PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London in 2007 and is now a Teaching Fellow at SOAS.

Introduction Chapter 1: Modernising Jerusalem: Administration and Population From Ottoman to Egyptian rule and back From the Tanzimat to the Young Turks through the Hamidian era: patterns of governance and administration The Sancak and the Mutasarr?f The Municipality of Jerusalem The Councils ruling Jerusalem The Notables of Jerusalem in the late Ottoman era The People of Jerusalem (1905-1922): figures and definitions Chapter 2: Christianity at War The Christian Churches of Jerusalem in history Patriarchates between the Ottomans and the European Powers The Churches and the Capitulations 'Peace' among Christians: the Status Quo, origins and developments Christian Churches facing mobilisation and war The Custody of the Holy Land The Custody in the aftermath of the war: local and international dimensions The strange allies: Arab Christians and Muslims together Chapter 3: Foreigners in Jerusalem Visiting Jerusalem Consulates Foreigners and the War Consul of War: Conde de Ballobar Consular missions in the aftermath of the War Chapter 4: The War and the British conquest of Jerusalem Preparing for war: mobilisation of human, material and ideological resources The real value of Jerusalem at the beginning of the war The British conquest of Jerusalem: 9 December 1917 'Gerusalemme Liberata' 'A dramatic incident of war': the surrender of Jerusalem Jerusalem conquered: local, British and international reactions The end of the last Crusade? Chapter 5: British Military Rule 1917-1920 and the case of the Nebi Musa Riots Military rule: 1917-1920 The 'despot' ruler of Jerusalem: Ronald Storrs Planning Jerusalem April 1920: Nebi Musa Riots Epilogue