The Land Beyond Promise: Power, Politics and Ideology from Begin to Netanyahu

by Colin Shindler

A critical appraisal of the right-wing Likud government's rule in Israel from 1977-1992. The different ideological origins of both Begin and Shamir are examined, as well as how far they were influenced by pre-war nationalist models in Pilsudski's Poland and Mussolini's Italy. Exploring Begin's involvement with revisionist Zionism since 1931 and his lifelong struggle to extend Israel's sovereignty, the book focuses on such key issues as Begin's election victory, his rationale for invading Lebanon in 1982 and his invocation of the Holocaust in political debate. Looking at Shamir's political background from his days in the Stern Group through to his sudden return to party politics, Shindler explains why he was able to hold on to power for so long, and looks at his confrontation with the Bush Administration.

Genres: Israel, History

360 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1995

About the author

Colin Schindler is emeritus professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. He became the first professor of Israel Studies in the United Kingdom in 2008 and was the founding chairman of the European Association of Israeli Studies (EIAS) in 2009.

He is a lecturer and broadcaster and has written and edited a number of books including: A History of Modern Israel, Israel: A History in 100 Cartoons and, most recently, the Routledge Handbook on Zionism.