Yitzhak Rabin

Soldier, Leader, Statesman

Rabinovich Itamar

An insider's perspective on the life and influence of Israel's first native-born prime minister, his bold peace initiatives, and his tragic assassination.

More than two decades have passed since prime minister Yitzhak Rabin's assassination in 1995, yet he remains an unusually intriguing and admired modern leader. A native-born Israeli, Rabin became an inextricable part of his nation's pre-state history and subsequent evolution. This revealing account of his life, character, and contributions draws not only on original research but also on the author's recollections as one of Rabin's closest aides.

An awkward politician who became a statesman, a soldier who became a peacemaker, Rabin is best remembered for his valiant efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for the Oslo Accords. Itamar Rabinovich provides extraordinary new insights into Rabin's relationships with powerful leaders including Bill Clinton, Jordan's King Hussein, and Henry Kissinger, his desire for an Israeli-Syrian peace plan, and the political developments that shaped his tenure. The author also assesses the repercussions of Rabin's murder: Netanyahu's ensuing election and the rise of Israel's radical right wing.

About the Author

Itamar Rabinovich is president of The Israel Institute (Washington, D.C., and Tel Aviv); Global Distinguished Professor, New York University; and Non-Resident Distinguished Fellow, Brookings Institution. He served as Israel's ambassador to the United States and chief negotiator with Syria from 1992-1996. He lives in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Reviews

"Yitzhak Rabin was a soldier and a statesman who fought for the security of Israel and for a concept of peace for all nations. Itamar Rabinovich has written a thoughtful and extraordinarily comprehensive account of a significant leader" – Henry A. Kissinger, 56th US Secretary of State

"Itamar Rabinovich has written an insightful book on Yitzhak Rabin, Israel's charismatic warrior-statesman who valiantly dedicated himself to the cause of peace in the Middle East. As the head of Rabin's team during Syrian-Israeli peace negotiations and as Israel's ambassador in Washington, Rabinovich was at Rabin's side during key moments in his country's history. I recommend his book to all those interested in peace between Arabs and Israelis" – James A. Baker, III, 61st US Secretary of State

"This highly informative and tightly-packed biography is undergirded by a deep personal knowledge of Rabin's strengths and flaws as a leader and a sure command of Israel's military and diplomatic history" – Derek Penslar, Harvard University and the University of Toronto

"Puts the complexities of [Rabin's] career and achievement in fresh perspective" – Kirkus Reviews

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