In The Iron Wall: An Analysis

By the early 20th century the United States had established itself as a major world power, its policies characterized by both interventionism, the political practice of intervening in sovereign state affairs, and international diplomacy. These global pursuits are reflected in the American involvement of Middle Eastern affairs, as made evident in both the Oslo Accords of 1993, and Camp David I. The Oslo Accords set the precedent for the meetings to follow at Camp David. The Camp David Accords of 1978 have led to the beginnings of peace between Israel and Egypt, although it has failed to create any settlements in regards to the Palestinian issue. The partial success of Camp David is greatly due in part to American President Carter, whose efforts helped push along the negotiations between Sadat and Begin, whose ideals had drifted so far from meeting a common ground compromise appeared impossible. This essay will comparatively analyze the arguments …show more content…
Peace plans between the nations continuously failed because proposals, although created, were repeatedly drawn out until exhausted. This “play for time”, as Shlaim states, dissolved many proposals that may have changed Israel’s history. Rabin, the Prime Minster of Israel, led by way of jealousy, caution and egotism. Unwilling to meet Sadat halfway, the first attempt at mediation by Austria was denied. Both parties, especially the Jewish, were unwilling to compromise, as expressed in Shlaim’s writings. Rabin refused to risk losing the support of his political party by waging peace with the Arabs. Instead, he waited for the times to change in favor of Israel’s beliefs. This was a major failure for Rabin and the Labor party. With the Israeli election of 1997, Israel’s already poor relationship with the Arabs and the occupied territories worsened and American intervention was