Uri Bialer lays a foundation for understanding the principal aspects of Israeli foreign policy from the early days of the state's existence to the Oslo Accords. He presents a synthetic reading of sources, many of which are recently declassified official documents, to cover Israeli foreign policy over a broad chronological expanse. Bialer focuses on the objectives of Israel's foreign policy and its actualization, especially as it concerned immigration policy, oil resources, and the procurement of armaments. In addition to identifying important state actors, Bialer highlights the many figures who had no defined diplomatic roles but were influential in establishing foreign policy goals. He shows how foreign policy was essential to the political, economic, and social well-being of the state and how it helped to deal with Israel's most intractable problem, the resolution of the conflict with Arab states and the Palestinians.Table of Contents: Contents<\> Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1. The Historical Legacy 1. Jewish Diplomacy 2. The Foreign Relations of the Yishuv 3. A State in the Making 4. The War of Independence Part 2. The Goals and the Test of Reality 5. "Our Raison d'Être" 6. A Land of Milk and Honey but No Oil 7. "Let My People Go" Part 3. Strategic Relations 8. France—Weapons Recognition and Grandeur 9. Sub-Saharan Africa—Failed Expectations 10. The United States—The Chosen Venue Part 4. Peace 11. Egypt—Diplomacy under the Shadow of the Sphinx Epilogue: From Lake Success to Oslo Further Readings Index