Between East and West
Israel's Foreign Policy Orientation 1948–1956

Dr Bialer describes the internal debates within the Israeli political parties on the choices between pro-Soviet, pro-Western or non-aligned foreign policies.

Uri Bialer (Author)

9780521362498, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 February 1990

304 pages
21.6 x 13.8 x 2.7 cm, 0.485 kg

'… his scholarship and analysis have made a major contribution to the on-going historical debate.' Shofar

Israel's political allegiance to the West is 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 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, such as 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 there was no alternative strategy for Israel to adopt; the tilt towards the West was inevitable. This book provides valuable material for comparative research on the foreign policies and security relationships of small states in the international system immediately after the Second World War.

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.

Subject Areas: Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000 [HBLW3], Asian history [HBJF]