About the Book
The first all-encompassing book on Israel’s foreign policy and the diplomatic history of the Jewish people, The Star and the Scepter retraces and explains the Jews’ interactions with other nations from the ancient kingdoms of Israel to modernity.
Starting with the Hebrew Bible, Navon argues that one cannot grasp Israel’s interactions with the world without understanding how Judaism’s founding document has shaped the Jewish psyche. He then sheds light on the people of Israel’s foreign policy through the ages: the ancient kingdoms of Israel, Jewish Diasporas in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Emancipation, the emerging nineteenth-century Zionist movement, and Zionist diplomacy post World War I and surrounding World War II. Finally, Navon elucidates Israel’s foreign policy from 1948 (the birth of the state) to our days: the dilemmas and choices at the beginning of the Cold War; Israel’s attempts to establish “periphery” alliances; the Arab-Israeli conflict; Israel’s relations with Europe, the U.S., Russia, Asia, Africa, Latin America, the UN, and the Jewish Diasporas; and how twenty-first-century energy geopolitics is transforming Israel’s foreign relations today.
Navon’s analysis is rooted in two central ideas: 1. the Jews’ interactions with the world have always been best served by combining faith with pragmatism; 2. the State of Israel owes its diplomatic achievements to national assertiveness and hard power—not only military strength, but economic prowess and technological innovation. Hence this book’s title, The Star and the Scepter. The Star of David is the symbol of Jewish faith; the scepter symbolizes political power. Diplomacy is a balancing act between ideals and realpolitik; The Star and the Scepter draws aspirational and pragmatic lessons from Israel’s exceptional diplomatic history.
“The Star and the Scepter fills an important niche and is a recommended reference, particularly for those with a limited knowledge of the history and complexities of Israeli diplomacy.”—Gerald M. Steinberg, Journal of the Middle East and Africa
“Navon deserves praise for his vast and in-depth coverage of a large number of dramatic historical events throughout Jewish and Israeli history. His book makes for enjoyable and thought-provoking reading.”—Avi Millo, Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs
“In many ways, diplomacy is like a global mixer dance, whereby countries swap partners and intel as they prance around the international stage. The way Emmanuel Navon maps the choreography of this field’s multi-layered density is what makes his latest book, The Star and the Scepter: A Diplomatic History of Israel, a groundbreaking work. . . . The Star and the Scepter is a trusted companion for any individual seeking an in-depth understanding of Israel, Israel’s relations with other countries or region, or a quick reference to a historical event. . . . [It] proves itself to be an ever-growing staple for anyone invested in the future of the State of Israel.”—Tradition
“A respected scholar of Israeli foreign policy. . . . Provides a sweeping portrayal of an ancient nation’s diplomacy—a diplomacy that should be more carefully studied in universities, both in Israel and abroad.”—Shmuel Sandler, Israel Affairs
“A welcome, accessible and readable contribution to our understanding of Israel’s history and the Jewish people’s history. . . . Deft analysis and explanation of Israel’s relations with Asian states, its diplomatic initiatives in Africa, Latin America and the Arab world, make this book impressive and timely.”—Seth J. Frantzman, Jerusalem Post
This is a diplomatic history like no other. Emmanuel Navon takes us through the whole of the Jewish experience, from remotest antiquity to the present, drawing out the beliefs and events that explain Israel’s approach to foreign states and world powers today. If Israel is to flourish, even survive, it will have to learn the lessons this unique book teaches about the past. A tour de force.” – Martin Kramer, Chair of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, Shalem College
“Emmanuel Navon’s far-ranging work on Israeli and Jewish diplomacy through the centuries helps us better appreciate the political and moral implications of Israeli efforts to win acceptance among the nations.” – Yossi Klein Halevi, senior fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute and author, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor
“The underdeveloped field of Jewish political studies has much to gain from Emmanuel Navon’s ambitious, authoritative survey of Jewish “diplomatic history” from biblical origins to Israel’s latest oil and gas treaties. As well as providing reliable and firm guidance through minefields of explosive national history, the book develops a level-headed concept of modern Israeli foreign policy. It is a good read and a lasting resource.” – Ruth Wisse, Emeritus Professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard University
“Emmanuel Navon’s important and expansive survey teaches us that a genuine diplomatic history of Israel must reach back millennia, from the Bible and antiquity through the Middle Ages and modernity, to understand the epic saga of the Jewish people, and to evaluate the decisions of its leaders. With encyclopedic breadth, this timely and insightful book provides an extraordinary account of Israel’s determination to survive and flourish against all odds, and a fascinating chronicle of both great events and individuals, from Jacob, Moses and Jeremiah, to Disraeli, Churchill, Ben Gurion, Kissinger, Golda Meir, Rabin and Netanyahu.” – Hillel Neuer, Executive Director, UN Watch
“Devoid of jargons and rhetoric, Navon paints a fascinating overarching picture of Israel’s trials and tribulations in the journey towards normalization and acceptance among the comity of nations.”– Professor P. R. Kumaraswamy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
“The Star and the Scepter offers deep insight about how faith, history, and profound determination shape the unique diplomatic history of the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Emmanuel Navon convincingly argues that Israel’s foreign policy is best understood in the light of history and faith, which he masterfully analyzes. I highly recommend The Star and the Scepter to those passionate about Israel, the Jewish people, and the contemporary diplomacy in the Middle East.” – Kenneth Weinstein, President, Hudson Institute
