Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: the Israeli-Arab Tragedy

Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: the Israeli-Arab Tragedy

by ShlomoBen-Ami (Author)

Synopsis

This book is about the pendulous movement of Arabs and Israelis between war and peace, in one of the most protracted conflicts of modern times. It is written from the perspective of a professional historian who was also a major participant at key junctures of the peace process. The narrative and analysis begins with the War of Independence and the creation of the state of Israel; the Sinai campaign of 1956, and the relative calm that followed; the Six Day War of 1967, where the Arabs were defeated but the Israelis were also defeated by the euphoria and complacency produced by their overwhelming victory; the Yom Kippur War and the recovery of Arab pride; the ascendancy of America 1973-77; Camp David; the first Intifada, the Gulf War and the Madrid peace conference; Rabin and Oslo; the Netanyahu impasse; the Al-Aqsa Intifada. The final chapters deals with the crisis of 9/11, the Iraq War, and the reactivation of the peace process.

$3.37

Save:$22.66 (87%)

Quantity

1 in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 280
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Published: 10 Nov 2005

ISBN 10: 0297848836
ISBN 13: 9780297848837
Book Overview: A key contribution to the debate provoked by President Bush's road map' for Middle East peace The author was Israeli Minister for Public Security (1999-2001) and Ehud Barak's Foreign Minister (2000-2001). This book will use his personal diary of the secret as well as the open channels of negotiation The author is an internationally respected historian of Spain and Israel A book not just about events and processes but also about people, whose vision or limitations so often played a key role

Media Reviews
The best passages of this excellent book discuss the obvious truth that progress will come only when both sides accept that it will cost substantive concessions. SUNDAY TIMES this beautifully written account... should be compulsory reading for anyone who feels a partiality to one side or the other, though it will not be a comfortable read: Mr Ben-Ami is unsparing in his criticisms of both. THE ECONOMIST A fine obituary of the Middle East peace process... This chronicle of death foretold is an important work for two reasons: one is that the author was a key player for the short but crucial period when the two sides came closer than ever before to resolving their conflict. The second is that Ben-Ami has written an unusually perceptive work of historical interpretation... should be required reading for anyone trying to negotiate a way out of this nightmarish labryrinth. THE GUARDIAN Shlomo Ben-Ami worked tirelessly and courageously for peace. His account of what he did and failed to do and where we go from here should be read by everyone who wants a just and lasting resolution. President Bill Clinton 'Shlomo Ben-Ami was there every step of the way at the Camp David negotiations. His careful, objective analysis is a must read for those who want and need to understand the highs and lows of the history of the tragic conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.' -- Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State a valuable contribution... sheds much light on the reasons for the impasse... He repeatedly gains your trust with intelligent, impartial analysis of divisive figures and events, while placing his arguments within a clear-eyes historical context. TIME OUT This book is one of the best overviews on the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Using up-to- date material and a fresh analysis, Shlomo Ben-Ami provides some new and accurate views about an important and controversial issue. -- Barry Rubin, Director, Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) 'An exceptionally subtle and sophisticated treatment of one of the most bitter, protracted and intractable conflicts of modern times... Shlomo Ben-Ami brings to the task both the skills of the professional historian and the practical experience of a senior participant in the peace process. He invariably goes to the core of the problems and he writes in a lucid and incisive style... a must for anyone seeking to understand the causes of war and the prospects for peace in the Middle East. -- Avi Shlaim Professor of International Relations at Oxford comprehensive and powerful GOOD BOOK GUIDE Shlomo Ben-Ami brings passion, insight and fairness to his account of both the nature of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the efforts to resolve it. As an Israeli negotiator, he would often try to rise above the psychological burdens of the past to see the other side's needs and not only Israel's... comprehensive, if sorrowful, look at this historic conflict. -- Ambassador Dennis Ross, Former Special Middle East Coordinator
Author Bio
Shlomo Ben-Ami was born in Tangier in 1943 but his family moved to Israel in 1955. He attended Tel-Aviv University and then Oxford University. He has been Professor of History at Tel-Aviv Universiy since 1986, and a Visiting Professor at several universities In Britain, the USA and Europe. He was elected to the Knesset in 1996, and was Minister of Public Security 1999-2001 and Foreign Minister 2000-2001.