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Understanding Israel

Political, Societal and Security Challenges
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Understanding Israel offers a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary analysis of the complex realities facing contemporary Israel. Since its founding in 1948, Israel has maintained an uninterrupted democracy, developed a thriving economy, and built one of the world's most powerful armed forces. Yet it grapples with significant internal and external challenges such as political corruption, soaring living costs, and the contentious Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The book is organised into three parts: the first explores the Israeli political system; the second examines societal divisions including those between Jews and Arabs and religious versus secular communities; and the third addresses security, geopolitical and foreign policy issues. Written by recognised authorities, this volume fills a key gap in Israeli Studies, providing detailed insights into a country often resistant to easy categorisation.
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Format: Hardback
$34100
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for students and scholars of Israeli politics, Middle Eastern studies, and comparative politics. It will also appeal to readers seeking a nuanced and scholarly understanding of Israel's political, societal, and security complexities.

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The State of Israel is an unlikely powerhouse in a troubled region. This book provides a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary analysis of the external and internal threats, opportunities and issues facing contemporary Israel. The book comprises sixteen chapters written by recognized authorities in the field of Israeli Studies.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The State of Israel is an unlikely powerhouse in a troubled region. Since 1948, Israel has retained its status as a democratic state without interruption. An investor-friendly environment and skilled workforce have led to a thriving economy, whilst the Israel Defense Forces are one of the most powerful armed forces in the world.

Yet Israel is also blighted by a plethora of foreign, domestic and security challenges, some of which threaten the very fabric of the state. The cost of living continues to soar; political corruption appears endemic and the conflict with the Palestinians divides domestic opinion and sours Israeli foreign relations. Thus, contemporary Israel remains perplexing, resisting any straightforward categorizations or generalizations.

Understanding Israel provides a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary analysis of the external and internal threats, opportunities and issues facing contemporary Israel. The book comprises sixteen chapters written by recognized authorities in the field of Israeli Studies. Together, the chapters offer a detailed overview of Israel while separately they provide stand-alone coverage of specific topics under discussion.

Part I examines the Israeli Political System, such as the Knesset, political parties and extra-parliamentary politics; Part II addresses issues in Israeli society, including the Israeli economy, the divides between Jews and Arabs, religious and secular Israelis and the struggle for gender equality; and Part III focuses on security, geopolitical and foreign policy challenges, looking at relations between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, Israeli foreign policy, borders and settlements and regional security threats.

By filling an important gap in the study of contemporary Israel, this book is of interest to multiple audiences, most notably students and scholars of Israeli politics, the Middle East and comparative politics.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Gad Barzilai, Vice Provost at University of Haifa, praises the book as "amazingly engaging" and unique in scope, highlighting its critical and constructive analyses that offer deep understanding useful for scholars and students alike.

Clive Jones, Professor of Regional Security of the Middle East, Durham University, commends the interdisciplinary approach. He notes the book elucidates Israel’s paradox of being both Jewish and democratic amidst internal struggles, making it essential reading for those interested in Israel's future trajectory.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781138125643

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 23 October 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Routledge

Illustration: 3 Tables, black and white; 8 Line drawings, black and white; 8 Illustrations, black and white

Contributors:

  • Edited by Joel Peters
  • Edited by Rob Geist Pinfold

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 566g

Pages: 292

About the Author

Joel Peters is Director of the School of Public and International Affairs and Professor in Government and International Affairs at Virginia Tech, USA.

Rob Geist Pinfold is a Neubauer Research Associate at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at the University of Tel Aviv. He holds a PhD in War Studies at King’s College London, UK.

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