This book reveals the fascinating story of the involvement of the Australian statesman, Dr. H V Evatt, in the United Nations decision to partition Palestine-a decision that paved the way for the establishment of Israel six months later. It unravels the complex interplay of motives and pressures in the shadow of an emerging Cold War that resulted in Evatt's pivotal role at a decisive moment that changed the face of the modern Middle East. The narrative focuses on the enigmatic background and character of Evatt's involvement in the Palestinian drama: the personalities that influenced him and the reason for his sometimes seemingly inexplicable conduct that intrigued historians and contemporaries. It provides the factors and developments, and the tangled story which led Evatt to move from public neutrality on the issue to support for partition in 1947. To what extent was the United Nations decision to partition Palestine vital to the subsequent course of events that saw Israel established and thefirst Arab-Israeli war? How decisive was Evatt's involvement in these events, and why did he become involved? Did he push for partition or did he have other plans? What motivated him subsequently to support Israel's quest for membership in the world body? Still later, what led Evatt, in defiance of Great Britain, the United States, Israel and Jordan, to champion the campaign for internationalization of Jerusalem in 1949? This book provides some surprising news. In unearthing the blow by blow story of an historical event in the making, this book returns us to a crucial phase in a tragic conflict that demands renewed attention today, and enlightens us-away from the headlines of the daily papers-how it assumed its present form.