Israel and the United States: Six Decades of US-Israeli Relations

This unique volume intensively studies the nature and extent of US–Israeli relations, from 1948 through the Bush and Obama administrations. Leading experts in the field—including Israeli and North American scholars from a variety of political perspectives—contribute original essays on the principal political, religious, ethnic, military, economic, and juridical connections between the United States and Israel. Specific topics covered in this new book include: the pro-Israel lobby in the United States; the US Jewish community and its relations to Israel; evangelical Christians and Israel; military and economic ties between the United States and Israel; the threat of a nuclear Iran for both countries; and the impact of American jurisprudence on Israel. Section introductions from the editor effectively contextualize the issues and provide students with an in-depth understanding of the past, present, and future of the US–Israel relationship.

Table of Contents:
1 Introduction Robert O. Freedman 2 The United States and the Arab-Israeli Conflict from 1945 to 2000: Why the Arabists Are Wrong David Makovsky 3 George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict from 2001 to 2011 Robert O. Freedman 4 The Pro-Israel Lobby in the United States: Past, Present, and Future Dov Waxman 5 Six Decades of Public Affection: Trends in American Public Attitudes Toward Israel Amnon Cavari 6 Aid and Trade: Economic Relations Between the United States and Israel, 1948--2010 Roby Nathanson and Ron Mandelbaum 7 Light and Shadows in US-Israeli Military Ties, 1948--2010 Stuart A. Cohen 8 Apocalypse Now? The Iranian Nuclear Threat Against Israel Steven R. David 9 American Influence on Israeli Law: Freedom of Expression Pnina Lahav 10 American Orthodox Jews and the State of Israel Steven Bayme 11 The Relationship Between American Evangelical Christians and the State of Israel Neil Rubin 12 The Quest for Impact: Lessons Learned from the American Jewish Peace Camp Mark Rosenblum and Dan Fleshler

About the Author :
Robert O. Freedman is Peggy Meyerhoff Pearlstone Professor of Political Science Emeritus at Baltimore Hebrew University and is currently Visiting Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University where he teaches courses on the Arab–Israeli conflict and on Russian foreign policy. He is the author or editor of several books, including Contemporary Israel (Westview Press).

Review :
"Despite the ups and downs in the US-Israel relationship, the close ties between the two countries is one of the few constants in the tumultuous Middle East. The relationship is complex and multifaceted, which is why a collection of essays by Israeli and American experts in very different fields is able to provide deep analysis of so many of the attributes of this relationship. And there are some real gems in this collection. Scholars and teachers will find Robert Freedman's edited collection Israel and the United States an invaluable resource." -Ronald W. Zweig, Taub Professor of Israel Studies, New York University "Professor Freedman's edited book offers the most comprehensive coverage of the truly special relationships between the United States and Israel, a detailed and often penetrating set of analyses by top specialists in various aspects of those complicated relationships. All chapters are clearly written and are accessible to students on various levels and to the general, policy-attentive public. This volume should be on the shelf of anyone interested in Israel, the Middle East and, indeed, American foreign policy." -Ilan Peleg, Lafayette College and Middle East Institute, Washington "Robert Freedman has done a masterful job in assembling first-rate scholars who provide a comprehensive account of Israeli-American relations. The book goes beyond the usual account of diplomatic and military ties. It offers a window into how the two countries influence one another on multiple levels, including aid and trade, legal influences, public sentiments, religious and communal issues, and more." -Joel S. Migdal, University of Washington “Despite the ups and downs in the US-Israel relationship, the close ties between the two countries is one of the few constants in the tumultuous Middle East. The relationship is complex and multifaceted, which is why a collection of essays by Israeli and American experts in very different fields is able to provide deep analysis of so many of the attributes of this relationship. And there are some real gems in this collection. Scholars and teachers will find Robert Freedman's edited collection Israel and the United States an invaluable resource.” —Ronald W. Zweig, Taub Professor of Israel Studies, New York University “Professor Freedman's edited book offers the most comprehensive coverage of the truly special relationships between the United States and Israel, a detailed and often penetrating set of analyses by top specialists in various aspects of those complicated relationships. All chapters are clearly written and are accessible to students on various levels and to the general, policy-attentive public. This volume should be on the shelf of anyone interested in Israel, the Middle East and, indeed, American foreign policy.” —Ilan Peleg, Lafayette College and Middle East Institute, Washington