Behind the Uprising Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians

Subjects:

• History » Middle Eastern History
• Multicultural Studies » Middle East Studies

Reviews:

• . . . for both the serious student of the Middle East as well as the casual observer, Behind the Uprising is an important contribution that makes today's dramatic headlines considerably more meaningful and understandable.
  —Jerusalem Post
• This account of Israel and Jordan presents and analyzes the relationship between two countries who have reached a peaceful resolution without the official sanction of a treaty. Journalists Melman and Raviv focus upon the developments of Palestinians, Israelis and Jordanians to explore how this peaceful relationship came to pass, basing their examinations upon interviews with secret negotiators and documents which never became public. Behind the Uprising thus offers more than the usual chronicle of already-known facts: it goes behind the scenes to examine power structures and relationships which have received relatively little public attention, it examines the works and methodology of leaders of both countries, and it surveys the foundations of agreements which were condcted in secret by both countries. Numerous footnotes offer references for scholarly readers who want insights on source documentation, but the chapters are lively and revealing enough for general-interest readers with special concerns about Middle East conflicts and issues. The result is a powerful documentary of secret negotiations and agreements which offers hope for a wider-ranging peace in the Middle East.
  —The Midwest Book Review
• . . . Melman and Raviv provide the full story, set in its proper historic context. Their lucid account recalls the origins of Israel's secret ties to Jordan and continues up to the current tensions resulting from the Palestinian uprising on the West Bank and Gaza--the intifada. . . . Melman and Raviv are at their best in describing the technical arrangements for Hussein's various contacts with Israel . . . for both the serious student of the Middle East as well as the casual observer, Behind the Uprising is an important contribution that makes today's dramatic headlines considerably more meaningful and understandable.
  —Washington Jewish Week

• Endorsement From Abba Eban,
  
  
  former Israeli Foreign Minister: A great deal has been written about King Hussein's meetings with Israeli ministers, including myself. . .but few accounts have been as accurate, authoritative, and intimate.
• Endorsement From Tom Fenton,
  Chief European Correspondent, CBS News: To those looking for the story behind yesterday's, today's, and tomorrow's headlines, and an explanation of events that at the time seemed coincidental and largely unconnected, I strongly recommend this fascinating study of an area where it was always said nothing changes, but in fact everything now seems to be changing.
• Endorsement From Gad Yaacobi,
  Cabinet Minister in Israel's government: This book describes, in an exciting and detailed way, the relationship between Israel and Jordan, including secret diplomatic contacts. Now, when the subject is on the national agenda, the book gives important background material which helps in the understanding of the difficulty of the problem.
• Endorsement From The Associated Press: The authors are the first to deal thoroughly with the history of behind-the-scenes diplomacy between Israel and Jordan, compiling and expanding on persistent reports of secret contacts.

Table of Contents:

• Preface
• Introduction
• The Territories Explode
• Abdullah of Arabia
• "Meir"
• Hussein the Heir
• The Devonshire Place Doctor
• This Time in Paris
• A Phone Call to the Palace
• "Operation Lift"
• Why Not in Tel Aviv?
• "Must I Make War on You?"
• Seven Lean Years under Likud
• Minimalists and Maximalists in Amman
• Return of the Jordanian Option
• May We Help You, Your Highness?
• Building a Condominium
• Breaking the Deadlock?
• Appendices
• Bibliography
• Index