Liberal Nationalism for Israel: Towards an Israeli National Identity [Hardcover]

Joseph Agassi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1999

This book suggests a Western-style, Liberal, Democratic-Nationalism for the State of Israel.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joseph Agassi is a former Rabbinical student, IDF parachute instructor in the Israeli War of Independence, and a professor emeritus at Tel Aviv University and York University, Toronto, Canada. Professor Agassi had received his Master's degree in Physics from Hebrew University and his Doctorate in Science: Logic and Scientific Method from the University of London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Gefen Publishing House, Ltd (November 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9652291900
• ISBN-13: 978-9652291905
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,165,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Israeli National Identity: A Dilemma, February 16, 2000

By 

Malachi Hacohen (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liberal Nationalism for Israel: Towards an Israeli National Identity (Hardcover)

This is a brilliant book by a leading Israeli public intellectual on the vexing question of Israeli national identity and the relationship between church and state, religion and nation in Israel. Agassi provides a brief synopsis of the history of nationalism and Zionism from the perspective of "liberal nationalism" and develops a program for radical revision of Zionist goals and Israel's "constitution" in light of progressive enlightenment ideals. He demonstrates that "normalization" in accordance with the Western model of nation-state would have beneficial effects for Israel, the Jewish Diaspora, and the Palestinians. When the book first appeared in 1983 in Hebrew, it evoked a lively discussion, but few were willing to consider seriously Agassi's vision of a secular Israeli identity. Since then a second edition has been published, and the number of Israelis willing to follow the book's inexorable logic is constantly on the rise. An excellent translation and wonderful design enhance the pleasure of reading. A must read for anyone wishing to understand Israel's abiding dilemma.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommendation of Liberal Nationalism in Israel, March 31, 2000

By 

abner shimony (Departments of Physics and Philosophy, Boston University) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liberal Nationalism for Israel: Towards an Israeli National Identity (Hardcover)

Joseph Agassi is a thoughtful philosopher, whose recent book, Liberal Nationalism in Israel, presents a profound analysis of national identity, political processes, and the relation between religion and the state. He makes a passionate plea for the separation of religion from government in Israel, arguing that the result will be greater security for the nation, a more open political life, and a healthier religious life. It should be read by every one concerned with fundamental questions in political philosophy and with the special case of Israeli society.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Professor Shevah Weiss, Chairman, 13th Knessset, writes:, February 11, 2000

By 

Professor Shevah Weiss (Heifa University, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liberal Nationalism for Israel: Towards an Israeli National Identity (Hardcover)

_Who is an Israeali? Who is a Jew?_ On May 14, 1948 David Ben Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. At the time there were about seven hundred thousand Jews in the country. On the threshold of the third millenium about five million Jews live in Israel, nearly one million Arabs, Druse and Circassians, hundreds of thousands of foreign workers and non-Jewish new immigrants from the Commonwealth of Independent States. Israeli Society and its political system are still engaged, perhaps excessively so, with the problem of national identity and the question of the political status of religion. The Israeli "melting pot" does not manage to smelt this great people into a homogenous "Israeli" entity. On the contrary, the chasm is deepening and it is as if it threatens to tear apart Israeli society. Professor Joseph Agassi, one of the important Jewish Israeli philosophers of our time, designs a platform for the normalization of Israel in the accepted western liberal style, and does this in the internal, regional and global contexts of Israel. This book is an absolute must for anyone who cares about the future of Israel. Professor Shevah Weiss, Chairman of the Thirteenth Knesset