Waging Peace: Israel and the Arabs, 1948-2003

Considerably expanded to include the impact of the 2003 war in Iraq and its aftermath, this new edition of Waging Peace provides a unique insight into the critical debate on the future of peace in the Middle East. A former chief negotiator for Israel, noted scholar-diplomat Itamar Rabinovich examines the complete history of Arab-Israeli relations beginning in 1948. He then gives a vivid account of the peace processes of 1992-1996 and the more dispiriting record since then. His updated analysis on Iraq, Ehud Barak, and Ariel Sharon--and on the expanding role of the United States in the Middle East--sheds new light on the long and tumultuous history between Arabs and Jews.

As Rabinovich brings the conflict into this century, he widens the scope of his proposals for achieving normalized and peaceful Arab-Israeli relations. While he considers the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians--a classic dispute between two national movements claiming the same land--Rabinovich also studies the broader political, cultural, and increasingly religious conflict between Israel and Arab nationalism and discusses the region in an international context.

Rabinovich's firsthand experiences as a negotiator and an ambassador provide an extraordinary perspective on the major players involved. The result is a shrewd assessment of the past and current state of affairs, as well as a hopeful look at the possibilities for a peaceful future.

?Rabinovich is at his best in breaking down critical issues.? L. Carl Brown, Foreign Affairs

"In this updated edition of Waging Peace, Itamar Rabinovich once again brilliantly combines the firsthand insight of a diplomat with the analytical rigor of a scholar. I can think of no better guide to lead us through the political imperatives at the root of the Israel-Palestine conflict."--Henry Kissinger

"Itamar Rabinovich brings to this topic both the experience of a veteran participant and the skill of a distinguished historian. The result is a fascinating and illuminating narrative and analysis. His added coverage of the events of the last four years is particularly valuable."--Bernard Lewis, author of What Went Wrong

A former chief negotiator for Israel, noted scholar-diplomat Rabinovich provides a unique insight into the critical debate on the future of peace in the Middle East, including the impact of the 2003 war in Iraq and its aftermath.

Preface ix

1. The Background 1

2. Madrid and Oslo: Years of Hope 38

3. Years of Stagnation 78

4. Ehud Barak and the Collapse of the Peace Process 123

5. Sharon, Bush, and Arafat 181

6. The Web of Relationships 220

7. Peace and Normalization 267

8. Conclusion 305

Notes 315