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Boaz Ganor provides an authoritative analysis of Israel's approach to counterterrorism throughout its existence. The book features revelatory personal testimony from senior Israeli decision makers who have played pivotal roles in counterterrorism strategy.
List of contents
Acknowledgments
Chronology: Prime Ministers of Israel and Timeline of Major Events, 1948–2018
Introduction
1. The Israeli Counterterrorism Strategy and Decision-Making Process Conceptual Models
2. The “Fedayeen Phenomenon”: The David Ben-Gurion and Moshe Sharett Administrations, 1948–63
3. Palestinian National Terrorism After the Six-Day War: The Levi Eshkol and Golda Meir Administrations, 1963–73
4. Cross-Border Terrorism After the Yom Kippur War: The Yitzhak Rabin Administration, 1974–76
5. Terrorism Against the Backdrop of the Lebanon War: The Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Shamir, and Shimon Peres Administrations, 1977–86
6. The First Intifada and Activities of the Palestinian Islamist Organizations: The Yitzhak Shamir Administration, 1987–91
7. Countering Terrorism During the Peace Process: The Yitzhak Rabin Administration, 1992–96
8. A Prime Minister’s Assassination and Shifting Counterterrorism Strategies: The Benjamin Netanyahu Administration, 1996–99
9. Confronting the al-Aqsa Intifada: The Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon Administrations, 1999–2004
10. Disengagement from Gaza and Its Ramifications: The End of the Sharon Administration and the Ehud Olmert Administration, 2005–2008
11. Changes in the Greater Middle East: The Netanyahu Administration, 2009–2018
12. Israel's Counterterrorism Policy from the Perspective of Israeli Decision Makers
Conclusion: The Art of Israeli Counterterrorism
Appendix: List of Interviewees and Selected Newspapers
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
About the author
Boaz Ganor is the founder and executive director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), the Ronald Lauder Chair for Counter-Terrorism, and the former dean of the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya. He has served as an advisor to the Israeli Counter-Terrorism Bureau, the Israeli National Security Council, and the Israeli Ministry of Defense. His books include Global Alert: The Rationality of Modern Islamist Terrorism and the Challenge to the Liberal Democratic World (Columbia, 2015).
Summary
Since declaring independence in 1948, Israel has been involved in an intractable conflict with the Palestinians and its neighbors. While violence has ebbed and flowed over the years, the threat of terrorism has remained a constant factor, shaping Israeli security policy in a unique way.
Boaz Ganor provides an authoritative analysis of Israel’s approach to counterterrorism throughout its existence. Drawing on unprecedented access to Israeli leaders, he offers a comprehensive insider’s account of the decision-making processes, challenges, and dilemmas at the core of counterterror activities. Beginning with infiltration attacks from neighboring states immediately after independence and proceeding through the formation of organized Palestinian terror organizations up to the present day, this book details distinct eras of terrorism and how the Israeli state has counteracted them. Ganor also highlights the dynamic nature of both terrorism and counterterrorism: Just as waves of terror rise, fall, and evolve, so too do the measures employed to respond to them. He distills the lessons of Israel’s experience into key tenets for other countries facing the challenge of terrorism.
The book features revelatory personal testimony from senior Israeli decision makers who have played pivotal roles in counterterrorism strategy, including prime ministers, defense ministers, Israeli Defense Forces chiefs of staff, and directors of Mossad and Shin Bet. Israel’s Counterterrorism Strategy is indispensable reading for students, scholars, and practitioners alike.
Additional text
Israel’s Counterterrorism Strategy, by the preeminent authority Boaz Ganor, will be viewed as the definitive history of the country’s long and varied experience with a mode of conflict that became the challenge of our age. The revelations of its leaders are fascinating. To understand the policy and ethical complexities of counterterrorism, start here.
