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Be Strong and of Good Courage
How Israel's Most Important Leaders Shaped Its Destiny
Modern Israel’s founding fathers provided some of the boldest and most principled leadership of any nation–now Israel needs their example more than ever.
Modern Israel’s founding fathers provided some of the boldest and most principled leadership of any nation. Now Israel needs their example more than ever.At a time when the political destiny of Israel is more uncertain than at any moment since its modern founding, Be Strong and of Good Courage celebrates the defining generation of leaders who took on the task of safeguarding the country’s future.
David Ben-Gurion, Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, and Ariel Sharon were all present at the creation of the new nation in 1948. Over the next sixty years, each experienced moments when the country’s existence was directly imperiled. In those moments, Israel needed extraordinary acts of leadership and strategic judgment to secure its future, and these leaders rose to the occasion. The strength they showed allowed them to prevail.
Today, Israel may be on the verge of sacrificing the essential character that its greatest citizens fought to secure. This is the story of that epic struggle.
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Modern Israel’s founding fathers provided some of the boldest and most principled leadership of any nation. Now Israel needs their example more than ever.At a time when the political destiny of Israel is more uncertain than at any moment since its modern founding, Be Strong and of Good Courage celebrates the defining generation of leaders who took on the task of safeguarding the country’s future.
David Ben-Gurion, Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, and Ariel Sharon were all present at the creation of the new nation in 1948. Over the next sixty years, each experienced moments when the country’s existence was directly imperiled. In those moments, Israel needed extraordinary acts of leadership and strategic judgment to secure its future, and these leaders rose to the occasion. The strength they showed allowed them to prevail.
Today, Israel may be on the verge of sacrificing the essential character that its greatest citizens fought to secure. This is the story of that epic struggle.
Praise
"Solid historical guidance for policymakers and students of the Israeli-Palestinian conundrum."—Kirkus Reviews
"An unusually well-written book by two seasoned American diplomatic and academic commentators...It is certainly a stimulant to shake off the cobwebs of apathy - a work that provides food for thought."—Colin Shindler, Jerusalem Post
"a subtle account of Israeli foreign policy, based in part on declassified documents from Israel, in the form of biographies of how four Israeli Prime Ministers - David Ben-Gurion, Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon - took risks for peace."—Jewish Chronicle (UK)
"For those of us who care
deeply about Israel and the US-Israel relationship, Ross and Makovsky have done
a real service. . . . They tell the story of Ben-Gurion, Begin, Rabin and
Sharon . . . [and] provide guidance for today's leaders in Israel and for all
of us on the meaning of leadership."—Hillary Rodham
Clinton, 67th US secretary of state
"A powerful statement on the style and
principles of leadership that are critical for shaping the Middle East peace
process."—Henry Kissinger, 56th US secretary of state
"The decisions you describe, with meticulous attention to detail and with penetrating analysis, indeed required them to exhibit leadership, strategic judgment and moral fortitude....It will make a significant contribution to my library."—Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin President of Israel
"A brilliant study of the role of moral courage
in politics as exemplified by four of Israel's boldest prime ministers, and a
passionate plea for similar courage in Israel today."—Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former chief rabbi of
the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth
"An astute understanding of
the policies of real leaders, along with insights based on many meetings and
close observations."—George Shultz, 60th US secretary
of state
"Be Strong
and of Good Courage is of great importance to understand the most intimate
decision-making process of our leaders during pivotal points of our history . .
. and to learn and gain insights for Israel's future historic decisions that
must be taken."—Gadi Eisenkot, 21st chief of general staff of
the Israel Defense Forces, 2015-2019
"This book is a wake-up call to the most
difficult decision that the State of Israel has faced since its establishment:
preserving a Jewish and democratic identity or losing it. This is not a
question of if it happens, but when."—Amir Eshel, former commander of the Israeli Air
Force, 2012-2017
