Nixon and Israel: Forging a Conservative Partnership

Kochavi (International Relations, Hebrew University of Jerusalem) uses recently declassified American and Israeli documents to argue that ideational and psychological factors were important in the changing relations between the U.S. and Israel during the Nixon years. While geopolitical factors certainly had their effects, the author argues that choices made by Israel outside the Middle East had an impact on Nixon administration officials--especially Israel's support of Nixon's Vietnam policy and of his bid for reelection in 1972. Also important during these years, Kochavi suggests, were the beginnings of Israel's political links with fundamentalist Christian groups in the U.S., a relationship which is an important factor in the U.S.-Israel relationship to the present day. Certain to generate controversy, this book will greatly interest scholars of the period as well as many general readers. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Noam Kochavi is Lecturer at the International Relations Department, Hebrew University. He is the author of A Conflict Perpetuated: China Policy During the Kennedy Years.