In a passionate, meticulously researched work, Israel's most charismatic spokesperson traces the origins, history, and politics of his country's relationship with the Arab world and the West--and offers for the first time his own detailed plan for a real, lasting peace in the Middle East.

This examination of the Middle East's troubled history traces the origins, development and politics of Israel's relationship with the Arab world and the West. It argues that peace with the Palestinians will leave Israel vulnerable to Iraq and Iran.

Of the many trouble spots in the world today, none rivals Jerusalem for ultimate significance. Zechariah prophesied that in the last days God would make Jerusalem a "cup of trembling" and a "burdensome stone" for the whole world. Today's world has its eyes on Jerusalem, believing that the next world war will break out over this city. Jerusalem is indeed a "cup of trembling" and will continue to be so in spite of false peace initiatives.

Amnon Rubinstein and Alexander Yakobson explore the nature of Israel's identity as a Jewish state, how that is compatible with liberal democratic norms and is comparable with a number of European states.

This commentary concerns writings which emerged from three successive stages in Judah's decline and captivity -- the century of fear engendered by the Assyrian menace (addressed in Nahum), the shock and disorientation that followed the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (Obadiah), and the necessary dilemma of adapting yet maintaining their uniqueness in an alien setting (Esther). All three books reflect the efforts to maintain faith despite continued assaults on traditional views of the nature of God and the Covenant. Book jacket.