A Palestinian State - The Implications for Israel (Paperback, New Ed)

Hard-headed arguments for Israeli acceptance of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, under certain conditions, as the "least of all evils." Heller is Senior Research Associate at the Center for Strategic Studies, Tel-Aviv University; his analysis is systematic and thorough, penetrating and eye-opening. The crux, however, is this: at some point, "Israel will amost certainly have to make an agonizing choice between the geomilitary value of the West Bank and the political-security value of a peace settlement." So Heller first reviews the cost to Israel, since 1967 and especially since 1973, of maximum military preparedness, and the prospective cost of withdrawal - concluding that a settlement must, on balance, increase Israeli security; hence, it must improve Arab-Israeli relations. Next he weighs the risks and benefits of settlements other than creation of an independent state - from maintenance of the status quo (with the prospect of "broader and more effective Arab war coalitions," possibly including Egypt; of an Arab majority and increased Israeli isolation) through nonterritorial settlements (i.e., some form of home rule) to territorial settlements not involving the PLO (most prominently, the "Jordanian option"). But not only does each have drawbacks, none affords the opportunities of an Israeli-PLO agreement - which also presents the greatest risks. And it is in scrutinizing these that Heller performs a notable service. Most importantly, he does not find that a Palestinian state would have the wherewithal - or the requisite Arab support - to expand into Israel; and he does not see it being so unstable, politically or economically, as to post a security threat. (Throughout, Heller draws international and historical comparisons - here, to "crazy states.") But not only Israeli security is at issue: What about the Israeli Arabs? Jerusalem? the West Bank? Heller, recognizing that neither side can really give way, suggests tacit, de facto solutions. (For one: Jewish West-Bank settlers might live in the Palestinian state "like Arabs living in Israel.") With the specified conditions (ratification by "the most critical Arab states," and "verifiable restrictions on force levels," among them): a bracing application of fact and logic to an impossible situation. (Kirkus Reviews)

The future of the West Bank and Gaza remains the single most crucial issue in the search for peace in the Middle East. Examining the entire range of possible outcomes, Mark Heller of the Center for Strategic Studies, Tel-Aviv University, argues that an independent Palestinian state in those territories, even one dominated by the PLO, could, under certain stringent conditions, be the preferred option for Israel.

In the first comprehensive treatment of the political, social, economic, and military factors bearing on the disposition of the West Bank and Gaza, Mark Heller sets forth the possible alternatives--annexation by Israel, perpetuation of the status quo, federal or communal arrangements, and territorial compromise within the framework of the Jordanian option--and evaluates their implications for Israeli security.

Heller outlines the conditions under which he believes the establishment of a Palestinian state could be the optimal solution. He also discusses the economic prospects of a Palestinian state and the future of Jerusalem. His analysis is the boldest attempt yet to come to grips with the Palestinian question and the future of Israel. No one interested in the pursuit of a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Arab conflict can afford to ignore this book.

General

Imprint:	Harvard University Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	March 1984
First published:	1984
Authors:	Mark A. Heller
Dimensions:	230 x 150 x 12mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	204
Edition:	New Ed
ISBN-13:	978-0-674-65222-4
Categories:	Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > General Promotions
LSN:	0-674-65222-3
Barcode:	9780674652224

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