Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides important background concerning the European Economic Community (EEC) and Israel necessary for understanding this saga and how it unfolded. It outlines the establishment of the EEC, its features and the characteristics of its member states. The book provides a portrait of the Israeli economy in the 1950s, thus enabling the reader to understand why the Israelis attributed such weight to association with the EEC. It shows how Israeli leaders reacted to the challenge of the EEC's establishment, including the special inter-ministerial committee tasked with determining the country's response. The book discusses the Israeli fixation upon association, despite the European states' evident lack of enthusiasm. It explains how the Israelis managed to conclude such an agreement, when the Community had no real interest in such a step and was concerned by the possible negative ramifications.