Introduction To Israel

This comprehensive book provides a well-rounded introduction to Israel—a definitive account of the nation's past, its often controversial present, and much more. Written by a leading historian of the Middle East, Israel is organized around six major themes: land and people, history, society, politics, economics, and culture. The only available volume to offer such a complete account, this book is written for general readers and students who may have little background knowledge of this nation or its rich culture. Based on research by scholars with extensive firsthand knowledge of Israel, this book offers accessible, clearly explained material, enhanced with a generous selection of images, maps, charts, tables, graphs, and sidebars. This book provides readers with a solid foundation of knowledge about Israel and provides useful reference lists by topic for those inspired to read further.

Israel is a small country located in the Middle East that has a rich and complex history. It was founded in 1948 after the United Nations approved the partition of Palestine, which resulted in the establishment of two states: Israel and Palestine. Israel is a parliamentary democracy and its government is divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The country is led by a prime minister who is elected by the Knesset, which is the Israeli parliament. Israel is known for its diverse population, which includes Jews, Arabs, Druze, Christians, and other minorities. Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages of Israel, and the country also has a strong cultural scene with a thriving film industry, music scene, and literature. Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, and it is a holy site for Jews, Christians, and Muslims as it contains important religious sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock. Israel also has a strong economy with high-tech industries, tourism, and agriculture being major drivers. However, the country also faces challenges such as ongoing conflicts with Palestinians, regional instability, and social issues related to the diverse population.

A balanced and accessible introduction to the Palestine-Israel conflict

Take a historical and theological survey of the geography of the land of Israel.

Steering a middle course between those who argue that a history of Israel can no longer be written because the sources that we have prove inadequate, and what now seems to be the extreme conservatism of the old classic, John Bright's History of Israel, this book presents all the problems and where they cannot be resolved, provides the evidence and leaves the reader with the current situation.

"The conflict between Palestine and Israel is one of the most highly publicized and bitter struggles of modern times, a dangerous tinderbox always poised to set the Middle East aflame, and to draw the United States into the fire. In this volume the author illuminates the history of the problem, reducing it to its very essence. He explores the Palestinian-Israeli dispute in twenty-year segments, to highlight the historical complexity of the conflict throughout successive decades. Each chapter starts with an examination of the relationships among people and events that marked particular years as historical stepping stones in the evolution of the conflict, including the 1897 Basel Congress, the 1917 Balfour Declaration and British occupation of Palestine, and the 1947 U.N. Partition Plan and the war for Palestine. Providing an exploration of the main issues, the author explores not only the historical basis of the conflict, but also looks at how and why partition has been so difficult and how efforts to restore peace continue today"--OCLC

The history of Israel is a much-debated topic in Old Testament studies. On one side are minimalists who find little of historical value in the Hebrew Bible. On the other side are those who assume the biblical text is a precise historical record. Many serious students of the Bible find themselves between these two positions and would benefit from a careful exploration of issues in Israelite history. This substantive history of Israel textbook values the Bible's historical contribution without overlooking critical issues and challenges. Featuring the latest scholarship, the book introduces students to the current state of research on issues relevant to the study of ancient Israel. The editors and contributors, all top biblical scholars and historians, discuss historical evidence in a readable manner, using both canonical and chronological lenses to explore Israelite history. Illustrative items, such as maps and images, visually support the book's content. Tables and sidebars are also included.

The Palestine-Israel conflict is the most notorious and ingrained conflict of the twentieth, and now twenty-first, century. Yet the way it is reported in the media is often confusing, leading many to assume the hostilities stretch back to an ancient period. The Palestine-Israel Conflict Third Edition is the first book to provide a clear, accessible, and annotated introduction that covers the full history of the region, from Biblical times until today. Perfect for the general reader, as well as students, it offers a comprehensive yet lucid rendering of the conflict, setting it in its proper historical context. Harms and Ferry show how today's violence is very much a product of recent history, with its roots in the twentieth century. New to the Third Edition: *New sections on Palestine and the Arab Spring, Demographics and the Gaza flotilla *New preface and revised introduction *New conclusion This balanced account is now fully up to date, including the ongoing situation in Gaza, making it a valuable resource for anyone who wants a clear guide to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian territories, and its place in the history of Middle Eastern affairs.