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Jewish Fundamentalism in Israel (Pluto Middle Eastern Studies S) Paperback – September 20, 2004

by Israel Shahak (Author)

26 customer reviews

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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 hostile to democracy.

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Editorial Reviews

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'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

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).

Series: Pluto Middle Eastern Studies S
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Pluto Press (September 20, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0745320902
ISBN-13: 978-0745320908
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 26 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #838,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #247 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Fundamentalism
- #1073 in Books > History > World > Religious > Judaism
- #1118 in Books > History > Middle East > Israel & Palestine

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Peter J. Piaseckyj

Shahak is in the same mold as Jewish Prophets of old

October 8, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I couldn't resist reading this book. My three favorite American intellectuals Noam Chomsky, Edward W. Said and Gore Vidal have in one way or another recommended it. This in itself is high praise.

I find Israel Shahak's book a spring of fresh water in an arid intellectual environment of disinformation, propaganda and outright intellectual intimidation. For me Shahak is in the same mold as Jewish Prophets of old, warning Israel against a new catastrophe.

I do not pretend to the intellectual heights of Shahak. I can only judge the accuracy of the book by comparing it to areas where I do have expertise, namely the history, as it pertains to the Lithuanian, Polish, Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires. The only portion of the book I found lacking was Shahak's knowledge of Petlura's government of Ukraine during the First World War.

When I sent Shahak a short article about Petlura from a Symposium "Ukrainian & Jews" he responded in a letter to me dated June 1, 1999, quote..."I am sorry for my mistake about the regime of Petlura. Your evidence, especially the translated documents, is very persuasive and I accept it. If possible I will change the next editions" Jewish History, Jewish religion" accordingly."...unquote.

I found Shahak's book made me understand portions of the Bible which I had difficulty understanding. It provided the cultural context for an intellectual conundrum that I had in regard to the Old Testament.

The two conundrums are the ethnic cleansing condoned by God of the Canaanites in Deuteronomy and the other was the dialogue between Jesus and the Canaanite women in Mathew 15:21-28, where he replies , quote..."I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."...unquote.

It is only after reading Shahak that I finally understood the unchristian behavior of Jesus. He after all was not a Christian but a Jewish Rabbi, well versed in the Talmud with all of the cultural taboos associated with it in those times. He came to save the Jews and not the World. It was Paul (Saul), another well trained Rabbi who brought Jesus' reformed Judaism to the Pagan Mediterranean world and created Christianity.

This book is replete with insights that only and intellect of rigorous and highly developed moral understanding of History could deliver.

8 people found this helpful

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New Age of Barbarism

Jewish Religious Intolerance In Israel.

October 2, 2004

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

_Jewish Fundamentalism in Israel_ by Israel Shahak and Norton Mezvinsky is a problematic book which nonetheless provides some important insights into the political situations of ultra-religious Jews in Israel. For one thing there is the abuse of the term "fundamentalism". Fundamentalism properly understood refers to a group of Protestant Christians who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible which must be interpreted literally. Jews and Muslims do not refer to themselves as fundamentalists. Secondly, the book is rather poorly written and contains quite a bit of left wing goofiness, which distracts from an otherwise interesting subject matter. The issue of intolerance among religious Jews in Israel is particularly disturbing. This book details much of that level of intolerance, particularly for the Palestinian population living in the land of Israel, but also for Gentiles in general and fellow Jews deemed heretics. Perhaps the most famous case of persecution of heresy among religious Jews is that of the philosopher Baruch (Benedict, Latinized) Spinoza who was excommunicated for going against the rabbinate. The authors try to make the claim that similar occurrences have happened throughout history (see _Jewish History, Jewish Religion_ by Israel Shahak) and continue to happen in Israel dominated by religious forces. The authors spend a great deal of time discussing various political parties including the Haredim and Gush Emunim. The conflict between secular Jews and the orthodox and ultra-orthodox sects becomes apparent in such issues as the conscription of Israeli youth to the military, where those studying for the rabbinate do not have to participate and are supported by the state. An even more radical viewpoint is expressed by the followers of Rabbi Meir Kahane, who moved to Israel from New York. Kahane advocated a radical form of Jewish supremacism and racism, basing his chauvinistic views on the arrogant myth of "the chosen". One follower of Kahane took his views seriously and gunned down a group of Arabs praying in a mosque at the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Baruch Goldstein. The authors show how the Jewish response to the Goldstein rampage was less than honest, many outright supporting what Goldstein had done. The authors also discuss the murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was perceived as a moderate willing to concede lands to the Arabs by the Israeli "far right". Another disturbing issue involves religious idolatry of the Temple Mount, on which sits a mosque which many claim must be destroyed to bring about the Messiah. (An interesting discussion of this issue in full and how it relates to Christian evangelicals may be found in the book _The End of Days_ by Gershom Gorenberg.) In sum, this book brings up some disturbing issues about the political parties in the land of Israel and should not be dismissed as mere "anti-Semitism".

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December 4, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great book

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May 15, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I like Shahak very much. The mandatory mythology is usually ignored by him. I have read his other book. He's pretty honest.

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An eye-opener

October 12, 2000

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Fascinating insights into the groups which are generally over-simplified into the "ultra-Orthodox" (itself a serious misnomer, since "Orthodoxy" isn't the issue at all). The authors explain the differences between the various fundamentalist factions and sub-factions (Haredim, Shas, NRP, Kookists, Gush Emunim, etc., etc... and the black vs. knit skullcaps), who often put more energy into battling each other and other Jews than they do against the Palestinians. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book is that it draws almost entirely on Israeli sources in Hebrew, rather than the self-censoring and often apologetic English-language press which attempts to put as good a light on things as possible, largely for the benefit of the diaspora. I was unaware, for example, of the extent of open rejoicing among fundamentalists (and many other Israelis) over the Patriarch's Cave massacre and the murder of Rabin; and the role of "magic amulets" in election campaigns. Alas, the book does not make one optimistic about the prospects for reaching peace through rational discussion.

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December 28, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Israel Shahak the last prophet of Israel and the author of this excellent book.
This book is NOT anti Jewish. It was written by a very righteous, truthful and humble Jewish gentleman.
R.I.P Sir.

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Most recent customer reviews

felixnola

The Complete Guide to Understanding Israeli Thought.

One of the best books I've read in years. An absolute must for every American. If you want to understand the inner workings of the Israeli belief system and it's religious...Read more

Published on August 27, 2014

uncle tom

Zionism is not Jewish Fundamentalism

Shahak certainly did a lot of good by translating Hebrew articles that showed that racism is inherent in Zionism. However by focusing on fundamentalism the authors miss the point.Read more

Published on July 21, 2014

Dr. Michael A. Marcus

Problematic in the Extreme

Intelligent and reasonable people understand that multiple and complex cultural,psychological,and political forces are always at work to make things "the way they are."Read more

Published on April 10, 2010

Jerusalem

If you like Fabrication and Political Anti-Semitism

then please buy this book! This is clearly a book written by someone who has never stepped foot out of his comfortable city life and engaged with a real religious Jew.Read more

Published on December 1, 2009

Knowledge & Stuff

Great source of knowledge about Israel

Although many people have their own opinion about this book there is one requirement when reading it: be unbiased.Read more

Published on May 9, 2008

HAN

Time to discuss Fundamentalism in Judaism

Yes, I have read this and other of Israel Shahak's books. And believe it or not (unless you are familiar), he does hold "punches".Read more

Published on September 18, 2007

Shalom Freedman

A hate- filled anti- Jewish polemic

This work is a hate- filled Anti- Jewish polemic which is filled with inaccuracies and distortions. It wholly ignores the fundamental position of Judaism which is that all of...Read more

Published on May 7, 2007

The other fundamentalist Middle Eastern regime

A lack of historical perspective underlies most American's understanding of Middle Eastern politics.Read more

Published on August 2, 2006

Neophyte

You have got to be kidding

I know little of Judaism and therefore must rely on the expertise of the writers to evaluate the book's worth. On that basis, the quality of the book must be uneven.Read more

Published on December 20, 2004

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