The Iron Wall
Israel and the Arab World

Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, and with the Arab world at large, casts a long shadow over her history. This work explores with an uncompromising lens the reasons for Israel's long reliance on military power in the absence of a settlement. It is suitable for those interested in this fascinating and troubled region of the world.

Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, and with the Arab world at large, casts a long shadow over her history. When Zionist leaders formulated the 'Iron Wall' strategy in the 1920s - dealing with the Arabs from a position of unassailable strength - they intended that when sufficiently strong Israel would be able to make peace with her Arab neighbours. This has been an elusive hope, and Shlaim explores with an uncompromising lens the reasons for Israel's long reliance on military power in the absence of a settlement. His analysis will bring scant comfort to partisans on both sides, but it will be required reading for anyone interested in this fascinating and troubled region of the world.

The emergence of Israel 1947-1949
consolidation 1949-1953
attempts at accommodation 1953-1955
the road to Suez 1955-1957
the alliance of the periphery 1957-1963
poor little Samson 1963-1969
immobilism 1969-1974
disengagement 1974-1977
peace with Egypt 1977-1981
the Lebanese quagmire 1981-1984
political paralysis 1984-1988
stonewalling 1988-1992
the breakthrough 1992-1995
the setback 1995-1996
back to the iron wall 1996-1998.