Zionism in Arab discourses

by Uriya Shavit, Ofir Winter

Zionism in Arab discourses presents a ground-breaking study of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Through analyses of hundreds of texts written by Arab Islamists and liberals from the late-nineteenth century to the 'Arab Spring', the book demonstrates that the Zionist enterprise has played a dual function of an enemy and a mentor. Islamists and liberals alike discovered, respectively, in Zionism and in Israeli society qualities they sought to implement in their sown homelands.

Focusing on Palestinian, Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian political discourses, this study uncovers fascinating and unexpected Arab points of views on different aspects of Zionism; from the first Zionist Congress to the First Lebanon War; from gardening in the early years of Tel Aviv to women's service in the Israeli Defence Forces; from the role of religion in the creation of the state to the role of democracy in its preservation.

232 pages, Hardcover

Published March 29, 2016

About the author

Uriya Shavit (Hebrew: אוריה שביט) is an Israeli author and Full Professor at Tel Aviv University (TAU). He specializes in research on Islamic law, theology, and politics in modern Islam, Muslim minorities in the West, processes of liberalization and democratization in the world, and the Haredi society in Israel.

Reviews

[Samuel A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book detailing the treatment of Zionism by Arab ideological elites. Explains why the seeming duality of looking up to zionism and hating zionism isn't really a duality at all.

[Moomen Sallam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent chronological review of Islamist and Liberal views for Zionism and Israel since the 30’s of the 20’s century till the revolutions of 2011. It can save lots of time if u r interested in the developing of Liberals or Islamists’ vision for Israel. But i think this review presented by the authors may need another edition within few years to keep up with new generation of Liberal Egyptians that started to emerge since 2012.
The only problem with this book is the definition of a Liberal. The authors has used some names as examples of Liberal thinkers or writers that are not considered liberal in the political spectrum such as Alaa Aswani, Burhan Ghalyun.
I enjoyed reading it.