Shimon Peres: An Insider's Account of the Man and the Struggle for a New Middle East

Description

The late Israeli Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres was a towering figure in Israeli and Middle Eastern politics. But what drove the hawkish statesman behind Israel's nuclear deterrence and early settlement policy to stake his political reputation on peace negotiations with the Arab world and the PLO, Israel's sworn enemy? In this insider's account, written by Avi Gil, Peres's close confidant over almost 30 years, we witness firsthand the tense moments during the historic Oslo talks, kept under the strictest secrecy, when the explosive revelation that Peres was directing direct communications with Yasser Arafat's representatives for the first time threatened to leak to the press. We also see the fervent discussions and arguments between the personalities involved in the peace process, including Peres's rivalries with the Prime Ministers he served under, including Rabin, Sharon and Netanyahu. Although one of Peres's most trusted colleagues, Gil offers a frank assessment of his mentor, recounting his foibles and failures as consistently as he does his victories. We are shown Peres's unique energy and optimism for Israel and its Arab neighbors in his vision of a 'New Middle East'. But most valuable of all, we gain unique insight into the actual thought processes, conversations and decisions of Peres and his colleagues and adversaries as they initiated, processed and reacted to events in real time, shedding new light on a historic period in Israeli and Middle Eastern History. Of unique value to all those interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the book is also an insightful meditation on the inner-workings of all high-level government and diplomatic negotiations.

Avi Gil served as the Director-General of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2001 - 2002), the Director-General of Israel's Ministry of Regional Cooperation (1999-2001), and the Bureau Chief of the Prime Minister's Office (1995 - 1996). Closely involved in Israel's policy-making and peace negotiations, Gil also served as Director of Content of the 5 Israeli Presidential Conferences (2009-2014). He is currently Senior Fellow at the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute.

It is rare to read a candid and critical examination of political events and a leader's actions from an insider's perspective, devoid of a personal axe to grind. This analysis of Shimon Peres's thoughts, actions, machinations, and achievements is a rare example of what is captivating and engrossing reading ... The process leading to the Oslo Peace Accords and subsequent events are told in fascinating detail. * The Jewish Tribune * Well-informed and perceptive ... reveal[ing] a great deal not only about its subject but about the workings of Israeli government. It is more valuable than Peres's autobiography, of which Gil told Peres that the reader has to get through 400 pages before Peres admits that he made a mistake. "What can I do if I didn't make mistakes," Peres replied. Gil, by contrast, has given a real portrait, warts and all. * The Jewish Chronicle * This book is written by a man who is full of admiration, respect and love for his subject, but who nevertheless does not conceal Peres's warts: his longing for credit, his manipulations, his desire to be loved, his boundless vanity...There are anecdotes aplenty that provide a sense of the man behind the persona that the public thought it knew so well. * The Jerusalem Post * The book, based on Gil's diaries, notes and memories of several decades in political life, paints a humanizing and often unflattering portrait of one of Israel's most prominent and enduring politicians. * Jewish Insider * Other advisers had written reverential memoirs about their political bosses. Gil, by contrast, is admiring of Peres's strengths, but unsparing when it comes to his faults, above all his preening ego. * Mosaic Book of the Year * Shimon Peres wrote many books and books were written about him. None, however, offer the compelling portrait of him that Avi Gil provides in Shimon Peres. Though deeply admiring of Peres and his visionary efforts, Gil lets the reader see his faults-including the need for credit. But he also shows Peres' self-awareness, his deeper understanding of trends in the region, his capacity to see what was important and strive to achieve it-and, most of all, his readiness to take risks that are an inherent part of leadership. Because he was rarely the leader, he had to manoeuvre others to do what he believed was both necessary and right. For anyone who wants to understand both who Shimon Peres was and what is also possible between Israelis and Palestinians, Shimon Peres is a must read. * Dennis Ross, special Middle East coordinator under President Bill Clinton * A captivating behind-the-scenes account of Shimon Peres, a unique leader and a special friend and colleague of mine, who relentlessly strived to change the face of the Middle East. The intricacies of international diplomacy and the secrets of the Israeli political kitchen are candidly exposed, as only an insightful insider can do. Being a player alongside Shimon Peres does not lessen Gil's intellectual honesty and capacity for self-reflection. This essential book excels in analytical wisdom, flowing narrative, smart political insights, good sense of humor, and a deep understanding of the indispensable human factor. * Javier Solana, former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Secretary-General of NATO, and Foreign Minister of Spain. * A major contribution to the study of a major figure in Israeli politics ... illuminating and completely gripping. The account of Peres is nuanced, penetrating, and strikingly fair-minded. * Avi Shlaim, Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford and fellow of the British Academy, UK * First-rate dive/glimpse into the personal engagement and perseverance of one of Israel's great leaders in a achieving an important success in Israel's modern diplomatic history. It is a first-hand account, written lucidly; I found no weaknesses ... probes the personalities and the step by step interchange of progress, setbacks, and potholes in the process. * Professor Kenneth W. Stein, Emory Institute for the Study of Modern Israel, Emory University, USA * Gil's account of Peres should be of interest to many disparate audiences: students, scholars, close and casual observers of Israel, and those simply interested in a gripping story of a complex leader. Indeed, this book would be a worthy addition to leadership studies. * Guy Ziv, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University, USA * It's an excellent book, fascinating, teaching, and very special. I do not remember many who wrote so candidly, deeply and honestly about politics and politicians, and in such an interesting and original way. I could not drop the book from my hands and I do not have enough praise to express. * Prof. Yoram Peri, Director, Institute for Israel Studies, University of Maryland, USA * This is a fascinating book, a wonderful book and not just a must-read book for anyone interested in the subject. Of course, the next time I pass a course on the period or on the design of Israel's foreign policy, the book will be on the mandatory list. This is because the book is readable, full of smart diagnoses and interwoven with a lot of humor that will attract readers to keep reading. * Prof. Shai Feldman, Crown Center for Middle East Studies, Brandeis University, USA *