Israel’s political allegiance to the West is unquestioned. In the early yearsafter 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 labour movement, on the choices between pro-Soviet, pro-Western or non-aligned foreign policies. Making use of declassified documents, the author has carried out extensive research in the State Archives and other archives, and his account is based overwhelmingly on primary sources. This book examines the ideological components of these debates as well as the more material motivation factors, suchas dependence on US aid, trade links with the Soviet bloc, the 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 therewas no alternative strategy for Israel to adopt; the tilt towards the West was inevitable. This book provides valuable material for comparative research onthe foreign policies and security relationships of small states in the international system immediately after the Second World War. INDICE: Acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I. The Internal Dimension: 1.The affiliation dilemma; 2. Publicism, inter-party politics and non-alignment; Part II. Red Star Over Zion: 3. ‘Let my people go’; 4. The aliyah tie with Moscow; 5. The eastern European arena; 6. Trade with the Soviet Union; 7. Political cooperation; 8. The military dimension; Part III. The Western Connection:9. The military and economic dimensions; 10. From neutrality to the search for a link; 11. Solidification of a Western orientation; 12. Failure of ‘facts and pacts’ policy; Epilogue: ‘A people that dwells alone?’; Appendix I: U.N. voting record; Appendix II: biographical notes; Appendix III: Israel’s votes at the U.N.; Index.
- ISBN: 978-0-521-05535-2
- Editorial: Cambridge University
- Encuadernacion: Rústica
- Páginas: 304
- Fecha Publicación: 20/03/2008
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés