Behind the Uprising: Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians

In a valuable work of investigative reporting, Israeli journalist Melman and CBS correspondent Raviv here uncover details about secret meetings between Jordan's King Hussein and Israeli leaders over the last two decades. The results of the negotiations have been impressive: tacit cooperation between Amman and Tel Aviv in administering the West Bank and de facto peace between the two countries. Among the issues discussed in these conferences, the authors concentrate most on the one major goal they show to be shared by both parties: prevention of an Palestinian Arab state. According to Melman and Raviv, the hopes of Israeli leaders, American supporters and Hussein in this regard have been severely damaged by intifada that began in late 1987 when Palestinians fought occupation forces and shattered Israel's confidence in its ability to maintain control of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, with Jordanian participation, are essential, the authors stress. (Nov.)