In this study of one of the most extraordinary examples of secret diplomacy in the second half of the twentieth century, David Makovsky explores the personal, domestic, regional, and international factors that led Israel's leaders to embrace Yasser Arafat as a partner in peace. He traces key episodes prior to the breakthrough in Oslo--including the deportation of radical Islamic activists and retaliation against Hizbollah rocket attacks--examining their impact on the decisions that led to the remarkable diplomatic achievement. Working from exclusive interviews, Makovsky depicts in fascinating detail the intricacies of the Israel-PLO bargaining.