The Oxford Handbook of Israeli Politics and Society (OXFORD HANDBOOKS SERIES)

This publication offers the most wide-ranging examination to date of an intriguing country, one that is often misunderstood. It serves as a comprehensive reference for the growing field of Israel studies and is also a significant resource for students and scholars of comparative politics, recognizing that in many ways Israel is not unique but rather a test case of democracy in deeply divided societies and states engaged in intense conflict. The Oxford Handbook of Israeli Politics and Society considers the role of external hostilities, but this is not taken as the main determinant of Israel's internal politics. Rather, the Handbook presents an overview of the historical development of Israeli democracy through chapters examining the country's history, contemporary society, political institutions, international relations, and most pressing political issues. This comprehensive volume offers contributions by internationally recognized authorities on their subjects, outlining the most relevant developments over time while not shying away from the strife both in and around Israel. It presents opposed narratives in full force, enabling readers to make their own judgments. Cover The Oxford Handbook of ISRAELI POLITICS AND SOCIETY Copyright Dedication Contents About the Editors Contributors Introduction to Israeli Politics and Society Are Israeli Politics and Society Comparable? The Sections and Chapters References PART I: INTRODUCTION Chapter 1: Israel as a Field of Study: A Historical Overview Background to the Genesis of the Field Political Roots of Academic Scholarship The Globalization of Israel Studies Notes References Chapter 2: A Minimal Demographic History of Israel Territory and Habitability Long-Term Population Change in Israel/Palestine Contemporary Israeli and Palestinian Population Jews and Palestinians: Homelands and Diasporas The Future of the Israeli and Palestinian Populations References Chapter 3: State and Society Building in Early Israel Nation-Building and Cultural Production The Transition to Statehood: Continuity and Change Shaping Israeli Democracy Perceptions of Sovereignty State, Society, and Israeli Identity Acknowledgments References Chapter 4: Political History of Israel The Jewish Community under British Rule, 1918–1948 Smaller Israel, 1948–1967 Greater Israel under Left Rule The Turnabout: Begin as Prime Minister, 1977–1984 he Age of Political Parity, 1981–1991 Peace Process and Political Polarization, 1992–2000 The Rule of the Right since 2000 References Chapter 5: Democracy in Israel Nondemocratic by Definition? Context: Obstacles and Legacies Israel in Standard Rankings Current Concerns Freedom of Expression Freedom of Association Equality before the Law Judicial Constraints on the Executive Conclusion References Chapter 6: Israel’s Wars The Origins The Mix: Basic and Current Security The Prevalence of Current Security Problems/Low Intensity Conflict Notes References PA RT II: ISRAELI SOCIETY Chapter 7: Sociopolitical Cleavages in Israel The National Cleavage: Israeli Jews versus Palestinian Arabs The Cultural Cleavage: Secular versus Religious Jews The Socioeconomic (Class) Cleavage: Rich versus Poor The Ethnic Cleavage: Mizrahim versus Ashkenazim Conclusion: Cleavages and Politics Notes References Chapter 8: Arab Citizens in the “Jewish” State of Israel The Historical Context Society and Politics Social Gaps Parties Voting The Political and Civil Status of Arabs in Israel Government Policies toward Arab Citizens Overview Types of Policy A National Minority in the “Jewish” State of Israel Internal Changes The Vision Documents, 2006–2007 The Need for a Fair, Comprehensive, and Consistent Policy Notes References Chapter 9: Religion, Society, and Politics in Israel Religion and State in Israel versus Models of Religion and State in the West Religion and Society: Ultra-Orthodox, Religious, Traditional, and Secular Ultra-Orthodox Jews Religious Jews Traditional Jews Secular Jews The Political System in the Context of Religion and State: Between Accommodational and Crisis Politics The First Period: 1948–1977 The Second Period: 1977 and Afterward The Main Disputes in the Relations of Religion, Society, and Politics Who Is a Jew and the Conversion Issue The Public Character of the Jewish Sabbath Religion, Politics, and State: 2019–2020 Elections Conclusion References Chapter 10: Immigration Dynamics and Changing Constructions of Jewish Nativeness in Israel European Jewish Experimentation with Nativeness in the Pre-State Era (Yishuv) Middle Eastern Jewish Migration and the Erection of New Social Boundaries The Diversification of Jewishness: Immigration from Ethiopia and the Former Soviet Union Israel’s “Other” Others: Migrant Workers and Asylum Seekers Conclusion Acknowledgments Notes References Chapter 11: The Jewish Ethnic Divide and Ethnic Politics in Israel Ethnic Divide Ethnic Politics Conclusion Notes References Chapter 12: Gender in Israel Good, but Not Good Enough: On the Status of Women in Israel Women in Politics LGBTQ Rights The Path Dependency of Gender Relations in Israel Israeli Feminism Conclusion Notes References Chapter 13: Conceptualizing Palestinian Politics in Israel in the Shadow of the Arab Spring The “Modest Harvest” of the Arab Spring and the Palestinians in Israel The Maze of Popular Political Will The Liquidity of Loyalty and Treachery Appropriating al-Muqawama and the Cunning of Discourse Popular Protests and the Power of the Masses Concluding Thoughts Notes References Chapter 14: Public Opinionin Israel: The Sociodemographic Nexus Israeli Public Opinion: Main Features and Cleavages Main Divisive Issues The Nature of the State of Israel The Israeli–Palestinian Conflict Main Agents The Media The Politicians Discussion Notes References PART III: ISRAELI POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS Chapter 15: The “Constitutional” System of Israel The Debate Over Creating a Written Constitution Other Recent Attempts to Write a Constitution: “Inside” and “Outside” Efforts The Structures of the Israeli Constitution The Role of the Courts in the Creation of a Constitution Conclusion Notes References Chapter 16: The Executive Branch in Israel Parliamentary Democracy and Government Formation Coalition Types The Prime Minister The Cabinet and the Ministers Termination of Governments (In)Stability and Governability Conclusion Notes References Chapter 17: The Legislative Branch in Israel Legal Infrastructure Knesset Functions The Plenum Arena Legislation Oversight Motions for the Agenda Parliamentary Questions and Question Time Declaration of a State of Emergency Vote of No-Confidence The Committee Arena Contemporary Legislative–Executive–Judicial Relations Opposition Conclusion Notes References Chapter 18: The Judicial Branch in Israel Constitutional Politics in Modern Democracies Constitutional Politics in Israel Judicial Politics Politics and the Judiciary during the Political Crisis of 2019–2020 Conclusion Acknowledgments Notes References Chapter 19: The Electoral System of Israel Israel’s Electoral System and Its Politics Concepts in Electoral Systems Analysis Tools for Analysis of Electoral Systems Effective Number of Parties Deviation from Proportionality The Seat Product Model: A Predictive Tool for Party-System Outputs Israel and the Electoral System Effect on the Party System over Time Conclusion Author note Acknowledgments Notes References Chapter 20: Parties and the Party System of Israel Party Organization Party Ideology The Party System Party System A: A Dominant Party in a Moderate Multiparty System Party System Change 1: The Collapse of Domination Party System B: Competitive Bipolarity in a Polarized Multiparty System Party System Change 2: Electoral Reform and Its Ramifications Party System C: Dealignment? Conclusion: Party and Party System Change in Israel Notes References Chapter 21: Bureaucratic Politics in Israel Government Policy and Structure as a Product of Two-Tiered Bureaucratic and Political Struggles The Historical Roots of the Ministry of Finance’s Institutionalized Advantage The Unstable and ContingentPower of the Ministry of Finance Conclusion: Bringing Politicians into the Analysis of Bureaucratic Autonomy and Power Acknowledgments References Chapter 22: Political Reform in Israel The Politics of Reform Electoral Reform: Major Failures, Minor Achievements The Reforms That Passed: Bypasses above and below the Electoral System Direct Elections of Heads of Executives Reforms at the Party Level The Referendum Summary and Conclusion: Many Reforms, but Not the Right Ones References Chapter 23: The Political Institutions of the Palestinian Minority in Israel Introduction Four Major Phases of Political Development Phase One, 1948–1967 Phase Two, 1967–Oslo Phase Three, the Post–Oslo Accord Period Phase Four, 2006–Today Palestinians in Israel’s Political Institutions Palestinian Arab Political Movements/Groups The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality The Sons of the Village (Ibnaa al-Balad) The Islamic Movement(s) The Progressive Movement The Democratic Arab Party The National Democratic Alliance The Arab Movement for Change The Joint List National Political Organizations: The National Committee for the Heads of Local Councils and the High Follow-Up Committee Conclusion References PART IV: ISRAEL AND THE WORLD Chapter 24: Israel’s National Security Policy Israel’s Classic Defense Doctrine A Strategic Environment Transformed Israel’s Contemporary Strategic Environment The Israeli Response References Chapter 25: Israel’s Policy in and toward the West Bank and the Gaza Strip The Making of Israel’s Policy Continuity and Change Challenges and Responses Broader Implications Notes References Chapter 26: Israel and the Palestinians Years of Denial: The Palestinian Cause, 1948–1967 Between Political Denial and Military Repression, 1967–1987 The Israeli–PLO Competition over the Occupied Territories The Palestinian Uprising and the Road to Oslo, 1987–1993 The Failed Oslo Process and Its Repercussions, 1993–2005 The Politics of Stalemate: Is the Two-State Solution Over? Conclusion References Chapter 27: Israel and the Arab World The Origins 1948 and the Emergence of the Arab–Israeli Conflict The Turning Point of 1967 Egyptian–Israeli Peace, 1977–1979 The Madrid Peace Process, 1991–1996 The Madrid Peace Process: Years of Hope The Peace Process in the Twenty-First Century Note References Chapter 28: US–Israeli Relationship The United States and the Middle East in Context The Relationship: Its Predicate and the Early Years The Relationship: Deepening and with Differences The Relationship: Point, Counterpoint, Stronger Than Ever References Further Reading Chapter 29: Israel’s Global Perspective Before 1948 Israel and Decolonization The Kremlin’s Antagonism After 1973 The South African Connection Israel’s Isolation and Pariah States The End of the Cold War India, China, and Japan Turkey and Greece Toward 2020s References Chapter 30: Israel and the Jewish Diaspora An Overview of the Jewish Diaspora Israeli Engagement with the Diaspora Diaspora Engagement with Israel The Israel Lobby Tensions within the American Jewish Community over Israel Issues of Religious Pluralism Conclusion Note References PART V: ISSUES IN ISRAELI POLITICS Chapter 31: The Territories in Israeli Politics The Evolution and Long-lasting Success of the Settlements’ Project Demographic Success Territorial Success Deciphering the Success of the Settlements’ Project Shaping the Brand: Symbolism and Political Emotional Attachment The Formation of Policy Networks Transition to the Political Mainstream The Failure to Protect the Gaza Strip Settlements Concluding Remarks: New Challengesf or the Settlements’ Project References Chapter 32: Religion in Israeli Politics Status Quo: Political Compromises Status Quo: Challenged Status Quo: Defense and More Challenges The End of the Status Quo New Sites of Religious–Secular Politics Secularization A New Status Quo? Conclusion Author Note Notes References Chapter 33: The Military in Israeli Politics The Occupation in the Territories Changes in the Nature of Warfare Changes in the Civilian Value System Change in the Military’s Role in the Cultural Struggle over Collective Identity The Deepening Gap between the Political and Military Leaderships Manifestations of the Changes in Civil-Military Relations The Military Has Lost Its Universal and Apolitical Status Heightened Criticism of the Military in the Media The Changing Nature of Trust in the Military Economic Pressure on the Military The Growing Motivational Crisis The Military’s Efforts to Reduce the Gap The Transition to a New Model of Conscription Conclusion: Future Scenarios for the Deepening Gap Notes References Chapter 34: Civil Society and Israeli Democracy Civil Society and Democracy Civil Participation: Volume and Significance Challenging Civil Society Conclusion Notes References Chapter 35: Political Culture and Israeli Politics Is There a Single “Israeli Political Culture”? A Historical Overview Locating Israel on the World Political Cultures Map Basic Orientations toward Politics and Political Participation System Support and Democratic Norms Conclusion Acknowledgments Notes References Chapter 36: Electoral Behavior in Israel Voter Turnout Voter Turnout in Israel: A Cross-National Comparison Voter Turnout in Israel in Historical Perspective Variation in Turnout among Israelis: Who Votes, and Who Does Not? Voter Turnout among Israeli Arab Voters Those Who Participate: Who Are They Voting For? Increased Electoral Volatility Voting for Large Parties vs. Small Parties Who Votes for Whom? The Jewish Voters The Arab-Palestinian Electorate Conclusions Notes References Chapter 37: Political Communication and Israeli Politics Structure, Characteristics, and Freedom of the Press of the Israeli Media The Development of the News Media Cross-Ownership and Crony Capitalism The Reform in the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Struggles against the News Media Mainstream News Consumption and Media Trust Online Media and Politics Israeli Media Coverage of Politics News Frames for the Arab-Israeli Conflict News Frames for Electoral Campaigns Mediatization of Politics Political Personalization Negativity Political Bias Political Satire References Chapter 38: The Political Economy of Israeli Neoliberalism Neoliberalism in Israel: Uneven and Unequal Industry and Finance The Labor Market The Welfare State The State and the Politics of Neoliberalism The Quest of State Agencies for Political Power The Growing Power of Economic Bureaucracies after 1985 Building Coalitions for Change The State as a Neoliberal Agent Past Legacies and Power Structures The Shadow of a Stratified Past The Legacy of Economic Concentration Leaving the Strongest until Last Israel’s Distinctive State Projects What’s Next? The Future of Neoliberalism in Israel Notes References Index This publication offers the most wide-ranging examination to date of an intriguing country, one that is often misunderstood. It serves as a comprehensive reference for the growing field of Israel studies and is also a significant resource for students and scholars of comparative politics, recognizing that in many ways Israel is not unique but rather a test case of democracy in deeply divided societies and states engaged in intense conflict. 0The Oxford Handbook of Israeli Politics and Society considers the role of external hostilities, but this is not taken as the main determinant of Israel's internal politics. Rather, the Handbook presents an overview of the historical development of Israeli democracy through chapters examining the country's history, contemporary society, political institutions, international relations, and most pressing political issues. This comprehensive volume offers contributions by internationally recognized authorities on their subjects, outlining the most relevant developments over time while not shying away from the strife both in and around Israel. It presents opposed narratives in full force, enabling readers to make their own judgments "Few countries receive as much attention as Israel and are at the same time as misunderstood. The Oxford Handbook of Israeli Politics and Society brings together leading Israeli and international figures to offer the most wide-ranging treatment available of an intriguing country. It serves as a comprehensive reference for the growing field of Israel studies and is also a significant resource for students and scholars of comparative politics, recognizing that in many ways Israel is not unique, but rather a test case of democracy in deeply divided societies and states engaged in intense conflict. The handbook presents an overview of the historical development of Israeli democracy through chapters examining the country's history, contemporary society, political institutions, international relations, and most pressing political issues. It outlines the most relevant developments over time while not shying away from the strife both in and around Israel. It presents opposed narratives in full force, enabling readers to make their own judgments"-- Provided by publisher