Secret Channels: Inside Story of Arab-Israeli Peace Negotiations Book

Drawing on his years of experience as a journalist, editor, and advisor to Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Mohammed Heikal gives an insider's view of 100 years of secret peace negotiations between Arabs and Israelis in his book Secret Channels; the picture he paints is not especially flattering for either side. But Heikal reserves his greatest indignation for the Arab leaders whose bungling, cowardice, and outright betrayals brought about a peace that Heikal claims sacrificed Palestinian interests in exchange for meaningless Israeli concessions. Sadat in particular receives the brunt of Heikal's ire, coming off as a vain, narcissistic, and easily manipulated "showman." Offering a passionate critique of the recent peace process without demonizing Israel or Israelis, Heikal's impressively detailed account fills an important gap in the existing literature of Arab-Israeli conflict.Read More