ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses contemporary Israeli diplomacy and what makes it distinctive. It considers how attributes particular to the country shape Israeli statecraft, warranting its inclusion as a "force multiplier" for security. The chapter assesses how well Israeli diplomacy has actually performed. It examines the striking similarities between modern Israeli diplomacy and that practiced by leaders of the First and Second Jewish Commonwealths in ancient times. The chapter outlines Israeli diplomacy's possible future challenges and prospects. All states employ diplomacy to advance national interests, the most important being security. Israeli diplomats do not have the luxury of their counterparts in, say, Norway or Canada, who are free to operate in an environment in which errors or a misstep rarely have catastrophic consequences. For Israel, a diplomatic mistake can be fatal, with major implications for how diplomacy is conducted. More important, arms sales enhance Israel's diplomatic reach.
