Introduction

Adam Shatz explains in a article in The London Review of Books, that Benjamin Netanyahu has undeniable survival skills as well as being a highly effective politician, from his point of view. Netanyahu seems secure in having cashed in on American support, but this begs the question: Is the American backing of Israel fixed and static? While American—Israeli relations grew distinctly warmer under Kennedy, the relationship never blossomed into a full-blown alliance. The United States enhanced Israeli security while continuing its rapprochement with Egypt. The Johnson administration struggled to be on an even keel in the Arab—Israeli conflict. In the heyday of apartheid, South Africa was one of Israel’s main partners in terms of security cooperation and weapons research and development. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.