Response to Michael Sells

In an era when lies and misrepresentations about historical events easily become firmly rooted, M ichael S ells's discussion illustrates the importance of careful historical research as a moral enterprise. In addition to the skills of the historian, however, there is also room in this enterprise for those of the ethicist. In particular, I warn against confusing the truth or falsity of claims about one narrow historical period with larger questions about the moral meaning and significance of those claims. Illustrating this, I argue one cannot assess the legitimacy of competing nationhood claims solely on the basis of the deeds of specific actors. Nor should the actions of a single individual like the G rand M ufti of Jerusalem be converted into a totalizing claim about the rights of the P alestinian people.