ABSTRACT
Among the many profound transformations brought about by Israeli statehood was the new state’s opportunity to exercise one of the principal attributes of sovereignty: the independent conduct of foreign relations. In reviewing Israel’s performance in the international arena after three decades, it is important to appreciate the basic factors which have affected her behavior. The contrast between initial policy goals and the more modest ones imposed upon Israel by the overriding struggle with her Arab neighbors is striking. At least four constants have been retained from the pre-state period: the “one Great Power” doctrine; a preference for abstaining from involvement in Middle Eastern politics; maintenance of a centralized authority for policy making, and political realism. The first two are of a substantive nature; the latter fall more into the category of procedural characteristics, on how policy tends to be made.
