The Oxford Handbook of Israeli Politics and Society

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