Between East and West

Israel’s political allegiance to the West is today 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 recently 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 offers an instructive, historic perspective on the crucial policies pursued by current Israeli administrations. It also 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.