Contemporary Israel: Domestic Politics, Foreign Policy, and Security Challenges

Author: Robert O. Freedman
Publisher: Routledge
Category: Regional Studies, Regional Studies, Middle Eastern History, Society & Culture: General, Politics & Government, International Relations, Defence Strategy, Planning & Research
Book Format: Paperback

Since its formation in 1948, and particularly since the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin in 1995, Israel has experienced turbulent political change and numerous ongoing security challenges, including major party splits, collapsed peace talks with the Palestinians and Syria, nuclear threats from Iran, and even the specter of civil war as Israel withdrew from Gaza. This essential survey brings together Israeli and American scholars to provide a much-needed balanced introduction to Israels domestic politics and foreign policy. Experts tackle this difficult subject in three parts: domestic politics, foreign policy challenges, and strategic challenges. Domestic topics include the Israeli Right and Left; religious, Russian, and Arab parties; the Supreme Court; and the economy. Part two discusses Israels complicated and often fractious relationships with the Palestinians and the Arab world, as well as its improved relations with Turkey and India and continuing close relationship with the United States. Israels second Lebanon war and existential threats to Israel, including the threat from Iran, are detailed in part three. This compelling and authoritative coverage provides students with the necessary framework to understand Israels political past and present, as well as the direction it is likely to take in the future.

Table Of Contents

Preface -- About the Authors -- Introduction -- Israel's Domestic Politics -- The Israeli Right -- After Rabin: The Malaise of the Israeli Zionist Left -- Israel's Religious Parties -- Israel's "Russian" Parties -- Israel's Arab Parties -- Israel's Supreme Court -- The Israeli Economy -- Israel's Foreign Policy -- Israel and the Palestinians -- Israel and the Arab World -- Israel's Strategic Relations with Turkey and India -- Israel and the United States -- Israel's Security Challenges -- Existential Threats to Israel -- Israel's 2006 War with Hizbollah: The Failure of Deterrence -- Election Results

About Robert O Freedman

Robert O Freedman