| Description |
562 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm |
| Contents |
Ben-Gurion: the origins of militarism -- The destruction of Israel's second prime minister -- Suez crisis: Ben-Gurion goes to war -- Israel as 'detonator' -- The rise of the generals -- Six-day War: The military revolts -- War as policy: Nasser and the PLO -- The high price for militarism : Yom Kippur -- Rabin: From general to prime ministers -- Begin: a peace to enable war -- The sabra Caesar: Sharon in Lebanon -- Protecting the ruling elite -- Intifada: the intimate enemy awakes -- Peace strategy: the new Yitzhak -- Oslo: wary generals waging peace -- Bibi against the military elite -- Barak: the arrogance of power -- Sharon: the last campaign against Arafat -- At wits end: killing the paraplegic preacher -- Olmert: putting Lebanon back twenty years -- War (on Syria) War (on Gaza) War (on Iran?) |
| Summary |
"Patrick Tyler's Fortress Israel is an epic portrayal of Israel's martial culture - of Sparta presenting itself as Athens. From Israel's founding in 1948, we see a leadership class engaged in an ideological struggle over whether to become the "light unto nations," as envisioned by the early Zionists, or to embrace an ideology of state militarism. In his first decade as prime minister, David Ben-Gurion conceived of a militarized society, dominated by a powerful defense establishment and capable of defeating the Arabs in serial warfare. Bound by self-reliance and a stern resolve never to forget the Holocaust, Israel's military elite has prevailed in war but has at times overpowered Israel's democracy. Fortress Israel shows us how the nation's martial culture envelops every family. Israeli youth go through three years of compulsory military service after high school, and acceptance into elite commando units or air force squadrons brings lasting prestige and a network for life. So ingrained is the martial outlook and identity, Tyler argues, that Israelis are missing opportunities to make peace even when it is possible to do so." -- Blackwells |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Subject |
Arab-Israeli conflict -- Influence.
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Civil-military relations -- Israel.
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Generals -- Israel -- Biography.
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Generals -- Israel.
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Militarism -- Israel.
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Politicians -- Israel.
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Prime ministers -- Israel -- Biography.
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Politicians -- Israel -- Biography.
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Prime ministers -- Israel.
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| SUBJECT |
Israel -- History. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85068697
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Israel -- Politics and government. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85068700
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| Genre/Form |
Biographies.
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| LC no. |
2012003865 |
| ISBN |
9780374281045 (alk. paper) |
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