This book examines leaders of the seemingly intractable conflict between Israel and its Palestinian neighbors. It takes as an intellectual target of opportunity six Israeli prime ministers, asking why some of them have persisted in some hard-line positions but others have opted to become peacemakers. This book argues that some leaders do change, and above all it explains why and how such changes come about. This book goes beyond arguing simply that 'leaders matter' by analyzing how their particular belief systems and personalities can ultimately make a difference to their country's foreign policy, especially toward a long-standing enemy. Although no hard-liner can stand completely still in the face of important changes, only those with ideologies that have specific components that act as obstacles to change and who have an orientation toward the past may need to be replaced for dramatic policy changes to take place.

'Yael S. Aronoff’s book interweaves international relations theory with selected aspects of Israeli history (Israeli leadership styles) in a very skilful way, making an important contribution both to IR theory and to the literature on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Composed in a clearly written style, it will offer important insights to undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers alike.'

Robert O. Freedman - The Johns Hopkins University

'Making her case through political biographies of six recent Israeli leaders, Yael S. Aronoff argues that leaders matter when it comes to peace. Aronoff details that features of Israeli leaders’ ideology and their propensity for risk taking predispose them for, or against, major changes in the status quo. She evaluates the extent to which their image of the enemy is subject to change and other psychological dimensions relevant to rethinking foreign policies toward the Palestinians and Arab states. Nicely structured and written in accessible prose, the book draws on an impressive familiarity with psychological theory and Israeli politics.'

Richard Ned Lebow - King’s College London

'In this book Aronoff analyses the differences leaders make in determining war and peace. … Aronoff [has] succeeded in writing an overall well-balanced view on the psychological aspects that do matter in international relations and the Middle East in particular.'

Yannick van Hoof Source: Politics, Culture and Socialization