Jewish Fundamentalism in Israel - New Edition (Pluto Middle Eastern Studies S) - Softcover

Shahak, Israel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745320902 ISBN 13: 9780745320908

Publisher: Pluto Press, 2004

Synopsis

'Illuminative, insightful and accessible, this is an important book that deserves as wide a readership as possible.' Ethnic Conflict Research Digest 'A first-class overview of the different fundamentalist movements . . . A fascinating and thought-provoking book.' Neue Zurcher Zeitung (Switzerland) 'Shahak and Mezvinsky's explicit objective is to rouse the reader, particularly the North American reader, into an acknowledgement that Jewish fundamentalism is as 'pernicious' as other fundamentalisms. This requires us to approach the Jewish past not as folk-tale, but as history.' Outlook 'Unlike all other English-language accounts [this] is frank and fiercely critical . . . A must-read for anyone interested in exploring the dark corners of an ideology that has an impact on international events.' Race and Class This is a new edition of a classic and highly controversial book that examines the history and consequences of Jewish Fundamentalism in Israel. Fully updated, with new chapters and a new introduction by Norton Mezvinsky, it is essential reading for anyone who wants a full understanding of the way religious extremism has affected the political development of the modern Israeli state. Acclaimed writer and human rights campaigner Israel Shahak was, up util his death in 2001, one of the most respected of Israel's peace activists - he was, in the words of Gore Vidal, 'the latest - if not the last - of the great prophets.' Written by Shahak together with American scholar Norton Mezvinsky, this books shows how Jewish fundamentalism in Israel, as shown in the activities of religious settlers, is of great political importance. The authors trace the history and development of Jewish fundamentalism. They place the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin in the context of what they see as a tradition of punishments and killings of those Jews perceived to be heretics. They conclude that Jewish fundamentalism is essentially h

About this title

Synopsis:

In this controversial work, acclaimed Israeli writer and human rights campaigner Israel Shahak, and American scholar Norton Mezvinsky, examine the history and consequences of Jewish fundamentalism in Israel. This new edition, fully updated throughout with new chapters and a new introduction, is aimed at anyone who wants a full understanding of the way religious extremism has affected the political development of the modern Israeli state. Jewish fundamentalism in Israel, as shown in the activities of religious settlers, is of great political importance. The authors trace its history and development, examining the various different strains, and identify the messianic tendency as the most dangerous. Shahak and Mezvinsky place the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin in the context of what the authors see as a tradition of punishments and killings of those Jews perceived to be heretics. The authors argue that Jewish fundamentalism is essentially hostile to democracy because it opposes equality for all citizens and therefore it poses a considerable threat to democracy in Israel.

About the Author:

Israel Shahak was a resident of the Warsaw Ghetto and a survivor of Bergen-Belsen. He arrived in Palestine in 1945 and lived there until his death in 2001. He was an outspoken critic of the state of Israel and a human rights activist. He was also the author of the highly acclaimed Jewish Fundamentalism in Israel (Pluto Press 1999) and Jewish History, Jewish Religion (Pluto Press 1994).

About this edition

• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0745320902
• ISBN 13: 9780745320908
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 208