The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World

Asitcelebrateditsfiftiethanniversary,theStateofIsraelcouldcountmanyimportantsuccesses,butitsconflictwiththePalestiniansandtheArabworldatlargecastsalongshadowoveritshistory.Whatwaspromulgatedasan"iron-wall"strategy-dealingwiththeArabsfromapositionofunassailablestrength-wasmeanttoyieldtoafurtherstagewhereIsraelwouldbestrongenoughtonegotiateasatisfactorypeacewithitsneighbors.Thegoalremainselusive.Inthispenetratingstudy,AviShlaimexamineshowvariationsoftheiron-wallphilosophyhaveguidedIsrael'sleaders;hefindsthat,whilethestrategyhasbeensuccessful,opportunitieshavebeenlosttoprogressfrommilitarysecuritytobroaderpeace.TheIronWallbrilliantlyilluminatespastprogressandfutureprospectsforpeaceintheMiddleEast.