Historical Dictionary of Israel

(Hardback, Third Edition)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Since its creation, the State of Israel has been a magnet for attention. A country beset by conflict in its region and faced with the need to integrate mainly Jewish immigrants of disparate backgrounds into a modern and advanced democratic state and society, Israel has preoccupied observers, scholars and journalists since its independence in May 1948. Although a Jewish state Israel is also a democratic state that guarantees the rights of all of its citizens, including its large Arab and Moslem minority, in law and in practice. Israel and its modern history and politics have been the subject of substantial and often highly partisan literature, being hotly and vigorously debated both at home and abroad. This third edition of Historical Dictionary of Israel contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1100 cross-referenced entries on significant persons, places, events, government institutions, political parties, and battles, as well as entries on Israels economy, society, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the various diplomatic and political personalities, institutions, organizations, events, concepts, and documents that together define the political life of the Jewish state of Israel.

Reviews

The third edition of this historical dictionary by political scientists Reich and Goldberg is more than twice as long as the first, written in 1992 by Reich alone. Now featuring more than 1,100 cross-referenced entries on significant people, places, events, government institutions, political institutions, and battles, it includes revisions of earlier entries, and important social, cultural, and economic topics have been added. In the 24 years between editions, Israel has experienced significant growth and changes in all aspects of its society as well as such pivotal political developments as the Oslo Accords, which impacted Israel's diplomatic relations worldwide. Events such as the 2000 second intifada, the rise of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, multiple border wars, and the many new political movements and personalities that characterize the intervening years are all essential factors in Israel's evolving identity. As a reference work, it presents onlyessential facts and definitions, but the extensive bibliography offers a broad selection of literature for further investigation. The addition of a country map to the new edition is helpful. Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels. * CHOICE *
[R]eaders will be impressed by the authors extensive knowledge of the complexities of Israeli politics. But, the authors have not neglected to cover economic and cultural matters, some of which may come as a surprise to non-specialists. The Historical Dictionary of Israel is full of useful information which will assist readers studying that remarkable and controversial country. * s *

Author Bio

Bernard Reich is Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University. He is author and editor of numerous books and articles focusing primarily on the Middle East and North Africa, with an emphasis on Israel, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and U.S. Middle East policy. David H. Goldberg was, for many years, director of research and education for the Canada-Israel Committee in Toronto and taught Political Science at York University. He is author and editor of several publications on Israel, the Middle East, Israel-Diaspora relations and Canadas Middle East policy.