In the Shadow of the Holocaust and the Inquisition - Israel's Relations with Francoist Spain (Paperback)

This is an analysis of the reasons for the failure of all efforts to establish diplomatic relations between Israel and Francoist Spain from the late 1940s to the mid-1970s. It uncovers the political discussions and the diplomatic moves of each country as well as the the mutual images common in Spain and Israel, and their influence on both public opinion and policy makers. In the late 1940s the Francoist dictatorship was eager to form ties with the new Jewish state. At that stage it was Israel who rejected any rapprochement with Franco. In the mid-1950s however, Israel became interested in cultivating a closer relationship with Madrid. Now it was Franco's turn to say no. Only in January 1986 did Spain's Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez and Israel's Labour Prime Minster Shimon Perez, sign the agreement to establish full diplomatic ties between the two countries.