Israel Books

Israel exists in order to protect the rights of the Jews. That includes rights to life, liberty, property, and, of course, immigration to Israel as a place of refuge. The "post-Zionists" claim that this function of Israel is no longer necessary. That would be a dubious claim in peacetime. It is absurd in wartime. That means that the "post-Zionists" are wrong, and that are failing to defend human rights.

Shlomo Sharan begins this book by explaining that in every generation, some Jews sought freedom from Exile, and that the flow of Jews into the Levant never completely ceased. And that the Arab armies have far more soldiers than does Israel's army. And that the idea that peace can be achieved, rather than precluded, by setting up a new Arab country next to Israel, although promoted by Europe and America, is an illusion.

Following Sharan's introduction are twelve articles that comprise the rest of the book.

Yoav Gelber's article shows that the goal of the Levantine Arabs has been neither coexistence nor compromise.

Sharan follows with an article about Myth. He points out that post-Zionist publications are aimed at vilifying Zionism, not at telling the truth. And he wonders why the statement that the Arab armies have a numerical superiority over Israel's army is called a "myth" (with the implication of being a falsehood) when it is actually a fact. He says that "the ingathering of exiles" (another fact) is not included in the list of Zionist "myths." I suspect it will be, though! And he says that the deconstructionist approach to history is extremely nihilistic.

Now, is post-Zionism antisemitic? Sharan says it is. After all, the salient characteristics of antisemitism are:

1) Fabrication (false accusations, such as blood libel)
2) Generalization (holding all Jews responsible for an act of an individual)
3) Judaization (asserting that only Jews commit a set of crimes that are regularly committed by people in all societies)
4) Discriminatory harshness (if Gentiles do it, it's cool, if Jews do it, it's tacky)

Post-Zionism certainly meets the first, third, and fourth of these characteristics.

Edward Alexander's fine article discusses politics and Israeli intellectuals. One book he discusses is David Grossman's "The Yellow Wind," which he points out has occasional patches of honesty. But he explains that Grossman is more upset by the potential of Jewish terrorism than the reality of Arab terrorism.

Hanan Alexander shows the danger of dismissing Jewish rights on the grounds that Israel is "hegemonic" and the Arabs are "oppressed." Any crimes could be justified by such an argument, and acceptance of this would preclude the rule of law.

David Bukay tries to explain the identification of many Jews with their mortal enemies. He says it is part of the heritage of Exile, where there was a desire to flatter and tattle to win approval from Gentiles. And he points out that this runs counter to the behavior of most of the people in other nations.

Raya Epstein shows the religious nature of anti-Zionism, which is basically a "new world church" that pits an alliance of Europe and the Muslim world against the right of Israel (and of Jews) to exist. And John Fonte has a fine article about the powerful antidemocratic forces that remain in Western society.

Norman Doidge shows the seriousness of the failure to bring Arafat to justice for his horrendous crimes. This has had the effect of implying that some of his crimes may be justified.

Arieh Stav discusses Jewish self-hatred. And he explains that Israel's status in the UN ought not be overlooked. In 1997, 131 states, representing 95% of the people in the world, denounced Israel "for daring to prepare land for housing construction within the municipal boundaries of its capital."

Articles by Yosef Oren, Hillel Weiss, and Shlomo Sharan conclude this interesting book. I recommend it.

Authors Perry and Ironside cut through the complexities of Israeli society to offer a clear and perceptive analysis of how Israel's past has shaped its present, a present in which deep, disturbing social divisions are coming to a boil. The starkness of these divisions emerges as the authors ask probing questions of Israelis occupying various positions on the Israeli political and social spectrum - Arab and Jew, secular and religious - and deftly weave their interviews, as well as memoir, together with their analysis. The authors' journalistic talents and experience are evident throughout the book, which reads like a good travel narrative. While the reader will feel like he has been taken on an entertaining journey, he will also take away a clear understanding of the extreme positions being staked out among Israel's people, positions that may tear the nation apart and leave some groups disenfranchised, unless Israelis can find a way to renegotiate the delicate balancing act that has kept Israel's quest for permanence alive for the past 50 years.

The cliche of good things coming in small packages fits here. As a former PT(Physical Training) Instructor in the Army in the 60's and staying w/ this ever since I keep up on what's happening. This small book will benefit all. Check it out.

I consider Dr. Gefen's new book to be an excellent update on the history of Israel and an analysis of the current situation and how it got that way. Dr.Gefen's own experiences as a Holocaust survivor, as a dynamic worker in the establishment of the State, and as a diplomat in Israel's foreign service all lend a strong foundation to his report in his latest book. His narrative is well-written, the style is friendly and serious, and he gives the reader the basis for understanding the life of Israelis and of their efforts to achieve a stable peace in their region. Professor Nathan Kravetz

I think it is useful to look at 15-year old descriptions of nations. For one thing, you can see predictions for the next fifteen years and assess them. Another virtue is being able to see how 15-year old issues stay with us.

The authors are Protestant Christians, thus the book has some interesting discussions about Protestant Christianity in Israel. They make the point that in the Middle East, most people are born into a religion rather than choosing it. We find out that the Protestants have no representation at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. But that's okay, because they have their own site where Jesus was buried, namely the Garden Tomb. My Christian friends guffawed when someone asked them if Jesus was actually buried in both places, once before the resurrection and once afterwards.

The book points out that many Arab Christians have very racist attitudes towards Jews. They explain this by an analogy: two hundred years ago, many American Christians had equally racist attitudes towards Blacks. And we see a discussion of Israel's "anti-mission" law.

There are sections about all sorts of aspects of Israeli society. But there is an interesting emphasis on some religious issues. These include the Jewish Temple, its history, and prospects for rebuilding it. And there's also some material on technology, including ideas about a canal from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea (but nothing on the, um, anticommunist version of it, from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea).

One intriguing discussion was about Meir Kahane's political party, Kach, and a Knesset antiracism law. The focus was on getting rid of Jewish racism in the Israeli Knesset. But I think the more interesting consequence is that antiracism legislation is more applicable to the far more prevalent Arab racism we see there.

Overall, this is an interesting and atypical book about Israel. I recommend it.

"Israel At A Crossroads"

As noted in the forward, "This book is a revised and updated edition, in English, of the original in Hebrew, "Soul-Searching - Towards a Palestinian State."

Written through the prism of a Jewish patriot, it is an historical account of the author's path, from being in hiding from the Nazi occupation in l941-44, through his personal involvement in l944-45 in the punishment of Lithuanian Nazi collaborators; the ordeal of 250,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors, smuggled across Europe after cessation of hostilities in l945; their life in refugee camps in Germany and Austria in l945-48; and strategies used by the "Brichah" (Hebrew for Germany and Austria in l945-48; which facilitated their movement to Eretz Israel, the Land of Israel.

The author was rewarded for his leadership role with the Brichah by the newly formed State of Israel by being invited to enter the Foreign Ministry.

He earned a doctorate in political science, and for 50 years served the State of Israel as a diplomat.

A heavy dose of the politics behind policy decision is given through the lens of Gefen. The book is peppered with his personal view as events unfold from the formation of the Israli government in l948 by the Uniited Nations until the present time.

It is a must read for all jews, and for all who have a commitment to history and peace and justice in the world.

No more singing over the title of pagan deities for me. This praise and worship music uses the real Hebrew name of our Creator as it is written in Scripture and the real Hebrew name of the Messiah as it is written in Scripture. What a spiritual relief to be able to sing praises to the King in spirit and in truth the way it was meant to be. Stop singing over those pagan titles forever!

If you have visited or have an passion for the land of Israel and the Bible be sure and purchase this book by Mr. Rosenthal. After seeing an review in Biblical Arch. Review magazine I ordered a copy. The description was exceptional but the actual book exceeded the reviewers comments.

If this was a lifes work then nothing else would ever have to be said. His articles are first rate and reflect the authors years of study and his heritage to the land itself.

Israel Discovered is picture lovers dream come true. If you are considering it just for the photos and pictures you are going to love it! These photos, many taken from angles and perspective of these wonderful location and most from angles and perspectives I've never seen before in any publication.

The quality of the book is beautiful even down to the very paper that it printed on. A first class book and one that I love to hand to anyone that visits our home.

Malusky writes a hard hitting book on US relationships with Israel. Starting out by his own observations as a young man, growing up in the mid-west, then later as a successful sales executive with a international electronics firm. Malusky writes with passion and fury, while backing up every point about early Israel, US policy regarding the mid-east, 9/11, and especially the Bush administration.

Malusky writes with a mid-western style, educated wit, but spares no punches, as he blasts his way through, what he calls a primer, with anger, facts and figures. He calls out the problems, but also suggests solutions.

The end of the book is especially strong as he details his references and covers the reader in facts that cause dizziness.

The book is a bit short, and Maluski tips the scales of acceptable social commentary, but keeps the reader's attention until the very end. The book was "conceived with a vengeance".

We have used this Haggadah at our Passover Seder for the past 24 years. Although we have studied several newer publications, we have yet to find another Haggadah that is as poetic, easy to follow, holds children's interest, and is paced as well. In addition, the photographs are lovely!