US-Israeli Relations in Context

Israeli troops continued their withdrawal from Palestinian territories today, after intense pressure from the United States. The Bush Administration has been working hard to reduce the violence between Israelis and Palestinians that has escalated over the past couple of weeks, afraid that it might jeopardize its alliance in the war on terrorism. The U.S. has been Israel's most valuable ally throughout its history. But the friendship has frequently been strained. How has the relationship between the U.S. and Israel evolved over the years? How stable is it now during this critical period?

Guests:

Shlomo Avineri, Director of the Foreign Ministry under the first regime of Yitzhak Rabin, 1975-1977
Steven Spiegel, Author of ``The Other Arab Israeli Conflict''