Fateful Triangle: The United States, Israel, and the Palestinians (Updated Edition) (South End Press Classics Series) [Paperback]

Noam Chomsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0896086011 | ISBN-13: 978-0896086012 | Edition: Revised Edition

Contents

Foreword by Edward W. Said
Preface to the Updated Edition
1. Fanning the Flames
2. The Origins of the "Special Relationship"
3. Rejectionism and Accommodation
4. Isreal and Palestine: Historical Backgrounds
5. Peace for Galilee
6. Aftermath
7. The Road to Armageddon
8. The Palestinian Uprising
9. "Limited War" in Lebanon
10. Washington's "Peace Process"
Index

An Excerpt from Fateful Triangle, Updated Edition

For some time, I've been compelled to arrange speaking engagements long in advance. Sometimes a title is requested for a talk scheduled several years ahead. There is, I've found, one title that always works: "The current crisis in the Middle East." One can't predict exactly what the crisis will be far down the road, but that there will be one is a fairly safe prediction.

That will continue to be the case as long as basic problems of the region are not addressed.

Furthermore, the crises will be serious in what President Eisenhower called "the most strategically important area in the world." In the early post-War years, the United States in effect extended the Monroe Doctrine to the Middle East, barring any interference apart from Britain, assumed to be a loyal dependency and quickly punished when it occasionally got out of hand (as in 1956). The strategic importance of the region lies primarily in its immense petroleum reserves and the global power accorded by control over them; and, crucially, from the huge profits that flow to the Anglo-American rulers, which have been of critical importance for their economies. It has been necessary to ensure that this enormous wealth flows primarily to the West, not to the people of the region. That is one fundamental problem that will continue to cause unrest and disorder. Another is the Israel-Arab conflict with its many ramifications, which have been closely related to the major U.S. strategic goal of dominating the region's resources and wealth.

For many years, it was claimed the core problem was Soviet subversion and expansionism, the reflexive justification for virtually all policies since the Bolshevik takeover in Russia in 1917. That pretext having

Product Details

• Paperback: 600 pages
• Publisher: South End Press; Revised Edition edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896086011
• ISBN-13: 978-0896086012
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #419,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > History > Middle East > Lebanon

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

First published in 1983, Fateful Triangle is a comprehensive indictment of what Noam Chomsky calls the "disgraceful and extremely dangerous" policy the United States has enacted towards Israel, particularly with regard to Israel's actions concerning the Palestinians. Supporters of Israel must willfully overlook or deny that nation's long history of human rights violations and military aggression, Chomsky writes, and they will continue to do so as long as Israel is strategically useful towards "the U.S. aim of eliminating possible threats, largely indigenous, to American domination of the Middle East region." In the course of elaborating his argument, Chomsky cuts through the myths and distortions that appear in mainstream media accounts; the damning facts that he so systematically assembles portray a government more brutally and overtly racist, perhaps, than even apartheid-era South Africa. Three new chapters, drawing upon material from Z magazine and other publications, incorporate such developments as the Palestinian uprising, Israel's war on Lebanon, and the ongoing "peace process."

From Library Journal

"A devastating collection of charges aimed at Israeli and American policies that affect the Palestinian Arabs negatively," said LJ's reviewer of this thesis on Middle East politics. With several additional chapters, a new preface, and a new foreword by Edward Said, Chomsky brings the story up-to-date. With the political situation in the Middle East just as hot now, this is bound to be an important volume. (LJ 12/15/83)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 600 pages
• Publisher: South End Press; Revised Edition edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896086011
• ISBN-13: 978-0896086012
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #419,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > History > Middle East > Lebanon

More About the Author

Noam Chomsky is Institute Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston. A member of the American Academy of Science, he has published widely in both linguistics and current affairs. His books include At War with Asia, Towards a New Cold War, Fateful Triangle: The U. S., Israel and the Palestinians, Necessary Illusions, Hegemony or Survival, Deterring Democracy, Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy and Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 87 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Noam Chomsky, as always, brings clarity to this world April 28, 2002

By "nukemind"

Format:Paperback

Noam Chomsky delves into a delicate subject for many Americans, Israel and the politics surrounding our unwavering support of their regime. Chomsky, himself a nominal Jewish American, takes an academic and objective approach to examining the "special relationship" between the US and Israel and the dynamics surrounding the specific exchanges that have gone on for decades. What is apparent is that Chomsky has learned and given in great detail certain specific information about Israel's actions that make those who support Israel nervous and outraged. Chomsky doesn't pull any punches when he describes Israel's reasons for invading Lebanon and the illegality of that action. He discusses the role of American Jewry and their attempt to intertwine the tragedy of the Jewish Holocaust of WWII with the destiny of Israel. To speak out against Israel, Chomsky argues, is to be dubbed anti-Semitic. The fear of being called anti-Semitic has stopped many Americans from discussing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in an objective manner (as they would with other similar situations). He goes on to discuss the politics of the Arab-Israeli wars, popular perception and myth, and the reasons behind what motivates America to support Israel's actions with little or no criticism (even in the face of worldwide condemnation). For skeptics and other critics Chomsky includes prodigious notes and primary sources on the subject and leaves room for little doubt as to his reasoning. The newer updated version has a foreword written by Edward Said that is quite poignant and apt: "There is something profoundly moving about a mind of such noble ideals repeatedly stirred on behalf of human suffering and injustice." I couldn't have said it better myself.... Far from being "anti-Semitic," this book is an honest analysis by a courageous academic crusader, willing to disregard his supposed religious affliation for the greater good and to serve the cause of justice and truth in reporting. Chomsky is not for those readers seeking an easy answer to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and is not certainly not for those without an open mind. Highly recommended. Read more ›

47 of 56 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good analysis, very detailed but not a general review. March 7, 2001

By Eric N. Romsted

Format:Hardcover

I'm going to break with the convention of the other reviewers and give this book a 3.

The first thing prospective readers should know is that this is not (despite the implication of the title) a general review of of Israeli-Palistinian-US relations. Almost half of the book is taken up by a detailed review of the 1982 war in Lebanon. This would have made sense in 1983 when the book was originally published, but 20 years it later makes for a skewed focus. The first few chapters provide some rather spotty background history. And the additional material in the new addition is essentially a few slightly reworked Z Magazine articles which are not really integrated into the rest of the book. Even for the events focused on, this book is not designed as a complete history. In classical Chomsky style, it is designed to be an antidote the to incomplete history provided by the mainstream media. The style of the book is also classical Chomsky, an almost stream of conciousness flow of information demolishing the standard historical explination and bolstering his own. However, put together, these two factors make the book difficult to follow for a reader not already well versed in the events.

Despite this negative begining, don't think that I'm one of those Chomsky-bashers who give 1 star to everything he's ever written. I actually like Noam. And I am generally persuaded by his analysis. However, after slogging through this book I felt that the lasting knowledge I will take from it could have been fit into 100 pages rather than 550. So unless you have a serious interest in the 1982 war in Lebanon this probably isn't the book for you.

42 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Israel's Apartheid and the devastation of the Palestinians June 4, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

In addition to being "arguably the most important intellectual alive," according to the New York Times, renouned linguist Noam Chomsky was cited as a source more often than any living scholar between 1980-1992, by the Arts and Humanities Citation Index. He sure proves his supremacy in this detailed and angry account of the Palestinian Israeli struggle and the US & Western media role in it.

Exposing human suffering and death is Chomsky's eternal goal in all of his foreign policy publications; he is merciless when it comes to injustice and violations of human rights. Not only does he meticulously detail all the factors and facts of the conflict in this book, but also transcends the big picture into the suffering and humiliation of the average Palestinian in his daily life, be it in the occupied territory or Lebanon. All facts are skillfully put into perspective where the views relating to both sides are listed, leading to irrefutable conclusions.

As customary of Chomsky's writings, an infinite amount of quotes is collected from both sides of the conflict, which are then woven together into his text creating a factual, and often, sarcastic picture of the issue and the people involved. Using their actual words he exposes the hypocrisy and deception of the Israeli leadership.

Chomsky's frequent use of long sentences makes it necessary to read the text slowly. Sometimes it is necessary to read each paragraph twice to comprehend the usually profound conclusion.

As usual his analysis reflect his powerful insight into the issue involved, which gives the allusion that Chomsky is a scholar in this field only. The depth of Chomsky's account in anything he addresses surpass that of most scholars in the respective topics addressed.... The Fateful Triangle is as deep as any analysis of the Arab-Israeli conflict gets.

Chomsky is way ahead of his time in this writing, as he documents many of the issues that were only recently realized. These include the roots and deception of th! e present "peace process" (Oslo), and also the fact that the Israeli press is the best source for information, and is more superior to the western (U.S.) one which usually is dedicated to portraying Israel as the victim while the Palestinians as oppressors. Israeli press is not timid when discussing many issues that are considered taboos in the U.S. such as Israel's control (through its lobbies) of the U.S. Middle East foreign policies.

Among the many Apartheid-style laws in Israel, Chomsky discusses how the Jewish National Fund, relying on U.S. tax-exempt donations, maintains 92% of the land in Israel for the sole use of Jews only.

Another crucial issue discussed is the fact that the Labor left is more dangerous than the Likud right, which lies in the difference between their pronounced versus actual policies. While the Likud does things in-your-face style, the Labor preachs one thing to the world, while doing the complete opposite (such as settlement building). Labor usually speaks in a more mellow tone than Likud and is more skillful and diplomatic, -- a trait attractive to the West -- when it comes to covering up the oppression of the Palestinians.

Yet another of the issues cleverly avoided in the Western Media (so as to shield Israel from criticism and keep the local population ignorant) is the many Arab initiatives for peace that were rejected by Israel, such as Sadat's 1971 and PLO's 1976 offers. Chomsky also exposes how the PLO would not respond to Israeli provocation, (prior to the 1982 invasion of Lebanon) the purpose of which is to give Israel pretext for an invasion or a raid. A monumental revelation is that of how Israel fears a more politically strong PLO than a terrorist organization, which is the direction the PLO was moving in, and which is the reason Israel was relentlessly trying to force the PLO into a terrorist path which would strip it from its growing international status.

Chomsky's account of the Palestinian-Israeli-American relations is as usual, heav! ily documented and referenced. The volume of material researched is astounding to say the least. Chomsky's reliance on the Israeli press and Zionist publications as well as Arab and world literature on this issue makes this work highly authoritative.

About 50% of the book is devoted to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and the destruction of Palestinian society there, as well as the Western media coverage of it. The devastation and the civilian toll inflicted by Israel are angrily criticized, and the Israel-apologist nature of many of the U.S. reporters' coverage of the events there, are meticulously dissected and refuted. Notably, the coverage by the New Republic editor Martin Peretz, based on "testimonies of Israeli soldiers", are put into perspective by contrasting them to the coverage by the Israeli press, which portrays a vastly more accurate picture of the invasion.

The Fateful Triangle is a masterpiece and should be the first and mandatory reading to all interested in this conflict and to human right activists in general. After reading Chomsky's work one surely feels wiser and more astute in analyzing issues and detecting media deception. 10/10. Read more ›