Let My People Know - by Aryeh Lightstone (Hardcover)

About the Book

"It took three and a half years to pull the Middle East out of what had been an almost perpetual state of strife and bloodshed. In less than 150 days, the Biden presidency succeeded in bringing back the tragic status quo. Let My People Know will explain what the new administration clearly doesn't "know" about diplomacy and foreign affairs, what it must and must not do moving forward, and what the Middle East as a whole should now attempt in order to return to the path of modernity, security, and prosperity. On January 28, 2020, the "deal of the century" was announced in the East Room of the White House. The list of attendees to celebrate the seminal event was carefully curated to feature high-ranking members of the Trump administration, supporters of the president, and prominent pro-Israel personalities. The more surprising guests were the ambassadors to the United States from Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. The fact that they received the longest and loudest applause served as a glimpse at what the future could hold. From the release of the plan to the completion of the normalization agreement with Morocco in December 2020, this was the most fascinating and impactful 11 months in over a generation of U.S.-Middle East foreign policy. Let My People Know will show where the "experts" previously went wrong in trying to establish peace, where President Trump's team went right, and, most importantly, where the still-unfolding Abraham Accords might take the United States along with Israel and the broader Middle East in the future. Aryeh Lightstone had the unique privilege of being in the room to witness nearly every major policy discussion and decision involving U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East during the Trump administration. He was tasked with the most critical, complex, and sensitive component of the Abraham Accords: putting them into practice--and quickly, no less. He was on every flight to and from Israel and the other Accords nations. Lightstone led the first Abraham Accord Business Summit and the Abraham Fund, and, further, served as the key point of contact between Israel and the Accords nations for all aspects of implementation. He met with all of the region's leaders and earned the trust of the key players, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner. As such, Lightstone was the bridge that spanned myriad cultures and personalities, all during a pandemic and a number of incredible geopolitical events. Let My People Know will stand apart from other titles on the Middle East for at least two reasons. First, it will be an eye-witness of the Abraham Accords and the oft-unbelievable developments behind them. Second, Lightstone is also a rabbi and an enthralling storyteller. His book will provide readers with an unvarnished, human, colorful, and eminently readable account of the subtle contours and idiosyncratic facets of the Middle East. In turn, Let My People Know will be a book to which many different audiences will turn for years to come"--

Book Synopsis

Aryeh Lightstone, former Senior Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords, is uniquely poised to unravel the past, present, and, most importantly, the future of U.S. foreign policy with the Middle East.

"A powerful affirmation of humanity's capacity to achieve the extraordinary." --Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the President, 2017-2021

"Aryeh demonstrates that faithful adherence to one's core beliefs--in both his faith and his nation--are not only possible but necessary. Read and enjoy." --Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, 2018-2021

The Trump Administration's "Peace to Prosperity" vision for the Middle East was unveiled on January 28, 2020. What followed over the next eleven months, concluding with the signing of the Israel-Morocco normalization agreement was one of the most fascinating and consequential periods of U.S. foreign policy in a generation, leading to five normalization agreements between Israel and Muslim states. The Abraham Accords achieved what had seemed impossible for decades and set the Middle East on a trajectory toward a broad regional peace.

Aryeh Lightstone is uniquely positioned to tell the story. As the senior advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, he was in the room for nearly every major discussion and decision involving Middle East policy. He was tasked with the most complex and sensitive component of the Abraham Accords: turning them into practical action and doing it quickly--during a pandemic, no less. In addition, he led the Abraham Accords Business Summit and the Abraham Fund, and served as the key contact between Israel and the other Accords nations.

Let My People Know provides a behind-the-scenes account of the strategies that allowed the Abraham Accords to be struck, and an unvarnished look at the region's idiosyncrasies that factored into the process. A rabbi and an enthralling storyteller, Lightstone paints a vivid picture of the varied cultures and personalities involved. He also offers a glimpse into the day-to-day activities of an embassy.

Finally, he explains what the Biden administration must do better to advance America's interests abroad. We now have a paradigm for a forward-looking Middle East policy that ultimately benefits the United States. Lightstone makes the case for strategic action to maintain the momentum.

Review Quotes

"Aryeh demonstrates that faithful adherence to one's core beliefs--in both his faith and his nation--are not only possible but necessary. His description of his work alongside our team is humble and captures both the spirit of the peace we achieved and the future of stability and prosperity we pray will follow. Read and enjoy." --Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, 2018-2021

"Let My People Know is a powerful affirmation of humanity's capacity to achieve the extraordinary. Lightstone played a meaningful role in the implementation of the Abraham Accords, and with this inspirational account he proves himself a skilled chronicler." --Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the President, 2017-2021

"Let My People Know provides amazing behind-the-scenes stories and insights from someone who had a front-row seat to incredible events. Aryeh Lightstone might not be a household name yet, but his contributions to America's successful policies toward Israel and the Middle East during the Trump administration were untiring, historic, and much deserving of praise. His service in helping to unite Israel and the United States will be felt by many for years to come." --Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, 2017-2019