Between East and West: Israel's Foreign Policy Orientation 1948–1956 (LSE Monographs in International Studies) - Softcover

Bialer, Uri

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521055350 ISBN 13: 9780521055352

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

Israel's political allegiance to the West is today unquestioned. In the early years after 1948, however, the direction of Israel's foreign policy remained uncertain. In this important book, Dr. Bialer describes the internal debates within the Israeli political parties, and particularly the highly ideological labor movement, on the choices among pro-Soviet, pro-Western or nonaligned foreign policies. Making use of recently declassified documents, the author has carried out extensive research in the State Archives and in other archives; his account is based overwhelmingly on primary sources. This book examines the ideological components of these debates as well as more material motivation factors: dependence on U.S. aid, trade links with the Soviet bloc, reliance on Czech arms supplies, and the degree of freedom allowed to the Soviet and East European Jewish communities to emigrate to Israel. Dr. Bialer concludes that there was no alternative strategy for Israel to adopt; the tilt towards the West was inevitable.

About this title

Book Description:

For all students of the history of Israel and contemporary Middle East studies, this book will offer an instructive, historic perspective on the crucial policies pursued by curret Israeli administrations.

Review:

"This book focuses, in great depth and with sharp historical-political insight, on the period of the emergence of the state of Israel and the formation of its foreign policy, from 1948 to the Sinai Campaign of 1956. It is an exceptionally innovative work, as well as a fascinating historical and scientific document...It has much to offer to all who are interested in the foreign policy of small states, in the politics of the Middle East, and in the relations of superpowers toward small states; and of course the book makes a great and essential contribution to research into Israeli foreign policy." Gad Barzilai, The Jerusalem Journal of International Relations

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0521055350
• ISBN 13: 9780521055352
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304