Demon in the Box : Jews, Arabs, Politics, and Culture in the Making of Israeli Television

What does a country’s television programming say about its deep character, beliefs, dreams, and fears? In Demon in the Box, Tasha G. Oren recounts the volatile history of Israeli television and thereby reveals the history of the nation itself. Initially rejected as a corrupting influence on "the people of the book," television became the object of fantasies and anxieties that went to the heart of Israel’s most pressing concerns: Arab-Israeli relations, immigration, and the forging of a modern Israeli culture. Television broadcasting was aimed toward external relations—the flow of messages across borders, Arab-Israeli conflict, and the shaping of public opinion worldwide—as much as it was toward internal needs and interests. Through archival research and analysis of public scandals and early programs, Oren traces Israeli television’s transformation from a feared agent of decadence to a powerful national communication tool, and eventually, to a vastly popular entertainment medium. This Terrific Landmark Text Arches Across So Much Important Terrain-cultural Policy, State Formation, Zionism, Program Meanings-and In So Interesting A Way! -toby Miller, Editor Of Television & New Media

oren Effectively Shows How Debates About Television Become Debates About The Limits Of State Power. As Such, This Book Will Be Important Not Only For Those Studying Television But Also Those Interested In Larger Debates About Nations As Imagined Communities.-henry Jenkins, Director Of The Mit Comparative Media Studies Program

what Does A Country's Television Programming Say About Its Deep Character, Beliefs, Dreams, And Fears? In Demon In The Box, Tasha G. Oren Recounts The Volatile History Of Israeli Television And Thereby Reveals The History Of The Nation Itself.

initially Rejected As A Corrupting Influence On The People Of The Book, Television Became The Object Of Fantasies And Anxieties That Went To The Heart Of Israel's Most Pressing Concerns: Arab-israeli Relations, Immigration, And The Forging Of A Modern Israeli Culture. Television Broadcasting Was Aimed Toward External Relations-the Flow Of Messages Across Borders, Arab-israeli Conflict, And The Shaping Of Public Opinion Worldwide-as Much As It Was Toward Internal Needs And Interests. Through Archival Research And Analysis Of Public Scandals And Early Programs, Oren Traces Israeli Television's Transformation From A Feared Agent Of Decadence To A Powerful National Communication Tool, And Eventually, To A Vastly Popular Entertainment Medium.

tasha G. Oren Is An Assistant Professor Of Film And Media Studies In The English Department At The University Of Wisconsin-milwaukee. She Is Co-editor Of Two Forthcomingvolumes, Global Currents: Media And Technology Now (rutgers) And Asian American Popular Culture.

Demon in the Box : Jews, Arabs, Politics, and Culture in the Making of Israeli Television......Page 1 Table Of Contents......Page 8 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 10 INTRODUCTION......Page 14 Part One Telespeculations: Debating Israeli Television......Page 28 1 MERE GLINTS AND REFRACTIONS: The Uses of Prehistory and the Origins of the Television Discourse......Page 30 2 BROADCASTING THROUGH THE BACK DOOR: Three Models for Israeli Television......Page 51 3 THE BELLY-DANCER STRATEGY: Israeli Educational Television and Its Alternatives......Page 83 Part Two Image and Nation: Broadcasting in Conflict......Page 118 4 CLENCHED FIST AND OPEN PALM: The Six Day War,the Combat Radio Formula, and the Launch of General Television......Page 120 5 JEWISH TELEVISION OR MICKEY MOUSE CULTURE? The 1969 Election and the Sabbath Debate......Page 150 6 GOOD FOR THE JEWS: Airing National Guilt and the Hirbat Hizaa Affair......Page 169 CONCLUSION: On Televisual Imagination......Page 205 NOTES......Page 212 INDEX......Page 230 What does a country's television programming say about its deep character, beliefs, dreams and fears? Here, Tasha G. Oren recounts the volatile history of Israeli television and aiming to reveal the history of the nation itself. Initially rejected as a corrupting influence on ''the people of the book'', television became the object of fantasies and anxieties that went to the heart of Israel's most pressing concerns: Arab-Israeli relations, immigration and the forging of a modern Israeli. Television broadcasting was aimed toward external relations - the flow of messages across borders, Arab-Israeli conflict, and the shaping of public opinion worldwide - as much as it was toward internal needs and interests. Through archival research and analysis of public scandals and early programmes, Oren traces Israeli television's transformation from a feared agent of decadence to a powerful national communication tool, and eventally, to a vastly popular entertainment medium. Pt. 1: Telespeculations: Debating Israeli Television ; 1. Mere Glints And Refractions: The Uses Of Pre-history And The Origins Of The Television Discourse ; 2. Broadcasting Through The Back Door: Three Models For Israeli Television ; 3. The Belly Dancer Strategy: Israeli Educational Television And Its Alternatives -- Pt. Ii. Image And Nation: Broadcasting In Conflict ; 4. Clenched Fist And Open Palm: The Six Day War, Combat Radio Formula, And The Launch Of General Television ; 5. Jewish Television Or Mickey Mouse Culture?: The 1969 Election And The Sabbath Debate ; 6. Good For The Jews: Airing National Guilt And The Hirbat Hizaa Affair. Tasha G. Oren. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [199]-216) And Index.