New Article: Lubin, American Studies, the Middle East, and the Question of Palestine

Lubin, Alex. “American Studies, the Middle East, and the Question of Palestine.” American Quarterly 68.1 (2016): 1-21.

 

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/aq.2016.0002

 

Abstract

This essay examines the intellectual history of American studies programs and departments in the Middle East, especially the relationship of these programs to US State Department efforts at cultural diplomacy or “soft power” after the Cold War. Through this examination, the essay theorizes the relationship of transnational American studies scholarship in the Middle East to the internationalization of the field. In their efforts to understand the United States, American studies programs in the Middle East have foregrounded the question of Palestine in ways that make these programs distinct from US-based American studies programs that still often regard Palestine as “America’s last taboo.” In their insistence on centering the question of Palestine within their vision of American studies, American studies programs in the Middle East demonstrate the unruly consequences of the internationalization of the discipline in political geographies where American primacy and exceptionalism are contested.

 

 

 

New Article: Ben-Dror & Ziedler, Israel, Jordan, and UN Resolutions to Internationalise Jerusalem

Ben-Dror, Elad, and Asaf Ziedler. “Israel, Jordan, and their Efforts to Frustrate the United Nations Resolutions to Internationalise Jerusalem.” Diplomacy & Statecraft 26.4 (2015): 636-58.

 

URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09592296.2015.1096685

 

Abstract

From 1948 to 1950, the United Nations (UN) endeavoured to promote the internationalisation of Jerusalem, which had been a key element of the 1947 Palestine “Partition Plan.” Even though the war that erupted in Palestine in 1948 put paid to partition, 2 UN resolutions re-affirmed the decision to place the city under international auspices. On the opposite side stood Israel and Jordan, both of which ruled the city and were interested in frustrating the attempt to remove it from their control. This identity of interests stirred them to try to reach agreement to divide Jerusalem and make internationalisation superfluous. Unlike other studies that examine the contacts between Israel and Jordan during this period, this analysis examines the Jerusalem question as an independent issue and focuses on the moves made by Israel and Jordan during their covert negotiations in light of the UN decision to internationalise the city.

 

 

 

New Article: Saaty et al, A Structured Scientific Solution to the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict

Saaty, Thomas L., Luis G. Vargas and H. J. Zoffer. “A Structured Scientific Solution to the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict: The Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach.” Decision Analytics 2.7 (2015): 53pp.

 

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40165-015-0017-3

 

Abstract

While the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has raged for decades, in all of its ramifications there has never been a totally structured or scientific approach to the conflict with all of its details. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approaches the problem along these lines. There are a plethora of reasons why the traditional face to face negotiations have broken down over the years. This paper identifies a significant number of those impediments and indicates how the AHP can productively address them. A summary of the highlights of the AHP approach precedes how it has been applied to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. To date, the participants, significant members of both communities, have derived and agreed upon a solution that includes all the major issues, except for the refugee problem. That problem is currently being worked on, but will take an extended period because of the unique factors involved. What has been provided is an agreed upon solution to virtually all of the issues impeding past negotiations, including borders, settlements, the status of Jerusalem, the Holy Places, security and expectations of each side.

 

 

New Book: Spangler,Understanding Israel/Palestine. Race, Nation, and Human Rights in the Conflict

Spangler, Eve. Understanding Israel/Palestine. Race, Nation, and Human Rights in the Conflict. Rotterdam: Sense, 2015.

 

 

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the longest, ongoing hot-and-cold war of the 20th and 21st centuries. It has produced more refugees than any current conflict, generating fully one quarter of all refugees worldwide. Everyone knows that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is important itself, and is also fueling tensions throughout the Middle East. Yet most people shy away from this conflict, claiming it is “just too complicated” to understand.

This book is written for people who want a point of entry into the conversation. It offers both a historic and analytic framework. Readers, whether acting as students, parishioners, neighbors, voters, or dinner guests will find in these pages an analysis of the most commonly heard Israeli positions, and a succinct account of the Palestinian voices we seldom hear. The author argues that human rights standards have never been used as the basis on which the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be resolved and that only these standards can produce a just and sustainable resolution.

This book will be useful for classes in Middle East studies, peace and conflict studies, Middle East history, sociology of race, and political science. It can be helpful for church groups, labor groups, or other grass roots organizations committed to social justice, and for all readers who wish to be informed about this important topic.

 

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements

Section 1: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction: Tell Our Story
Chapter 2: In Israel and Palestine: What You See Is What We Bought
Chapter 3: Basic Concepts: Human Rights, Race, and Nation
Chapter 4: Zionism: The Idea That Changed Everything

Section 2: The History of the Conflict: Another Look
Chapter 5: State Builders, Settlers, and Colonial Subjects: The Past Is Prologue
Chapter 6: Establishing the State, Preparing Occupation
Chapter 7: Occupation and Resistance: The Zionist Dream Comes True, or Be Careful What You Ask for 129
Chapter 8: The Endless, Deceptive Peace Process

Section 3: Moving Forward
Chapter 9: Four Frames: Israeli Self-Defense, Genocide, Apartheid, Ethnic Cleansing/Sociocide
Chapter 10: Zionism Revisited: From 1967 back to 1948
Chapter 11: Conclusion: Hope and History

Section 4: Supplementary Materials
Appendix: Study Questions
References
Index

Eve Spangler is a sociologist and a human and civil rights activist. For the last decade, her work has focused on the Israel/Palestine conflict; she argues that human rights are the neglected standards that could lead to a just and sustainable solution. See more at evespangler.com.

New Article: Zhadovets, Problems and Prospects of Internationalization of Israeli Higher Education (in Russian)

Zhadovets, N.V. “Problems and Prospects of Internationalization of Israeli Higher Education.” Journal of Tomsk State University. History 35.3 (2015): 79-85.

 

URL: http://journals.tsu.ru/engine/download.php?id=50192&area=files#page=84

 o

Abstract
One of the consequences of globalization is the internationalization of higher education. This process takes various forms in different countries. Israeli academic sector, as well as other areas influenced by globalization, is gradually opening to the world: Israel gained access to the cooperation with scientific institutions and universities in Europe and the United States, and participates in a variety of new research programs abroad. 96% of the scientific and technical articles written by the Israelis are published in foreign journals. The best known form of internationalization of higher education is the mobility of students. The number of Israeli students studying abroad increases steadily. Many Israelis prefer to get higher education in American universities. The advantage of Israeli education system is that Israel has sought to extend the knowledge of English among the population, which largely helped to internationalize its higher education. Israel is also seeking to attract foreign students. Israeli universities are regularly visited by many students from abroad; these students can be engaged in research and scholarly activities in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral academic programs. The universities have agreements with many foreign higher education institutions, these agreements define the terms of cooperation, exchange of students and/or faculty members; every Israeli university has programs in English available for overseas students, and can offer foreign students one-semester or one-year programs. Programs designed specifically for foreign students who have Jewish ancestry set a special bloc of courses in many Israeli higher education institutions. But in the process of internationalization the Israeli system of higher education faces certain difficulties: brain drain, competition, the constant need to improve the quality of education, etc. The most acute problem in Israeli system of higher education is the outflow of skilled professionals and faculty members, and even talented students. This problem was primarily caused by the inability of Israeli universities to provide employment of many graduates who wish to pursue research activities and are interested in science career. In addition, the young Israeli scientists often find working conditions and salaries in foreign research institutions more attractive. Difficult moment for Israel is the presence of foreign universities and their affiliations in the country, the implementation of educational activities and the recognition of diplomas issued by them.

 

 

New Article: Becker et al, The Preoccupation of the United Nations with Israel: Evidence and Theory

Becker, Raphael N., Arye L. Hillman, Niklas Potrafke, and Alexander H. Schwemmer. “The Preoccupation of the United Nations with Israel: Evidence and Theory.” Review of International Organizations (early view; online first).

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11558-014-9207-3

 

Abstract
We compiled data on all United Nations General Assembly resolutions on which voting took place between January 1990 and June 2013 and find a preoccupation with one country: in 65 % of instances in which a country is criticized in a resolution, the country is Israel, with no other country criticized in more than 10% of resolutions. We use comparative quantitative criteria to confirm that Israel is subject to discrimination. To explain the motives for discrimination, we present a model of behavioral political economy that includes decoy voting, vanity of autocrats, and a Schelling focal point for deflection of criticism. The model includes a role for traditional prejudice. Our conclusions more generally concern political culture in the United Nations.

 
 
 
 

New Article: Yemini and Dvir, International Baccalaureate and Conflicting Values in the Israeli Education System

Yemini, Miri, and Yuval Dvir. “International Baccalaureate as a Litmus Test Revealing Conflicting Values and Power Relations in the Israeli Education System.” Discourse (early view; online first).

 

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2015.1023700

 

Abstract

This study comprises a comprehensive attempt to reveal the power relations and conflicting interests within the local–global nexus of the Israeli public education system. The perceptions of different stakeholders were explored, in regard to the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program as an example of a globally oriented curriculum. Vignette scenarios and mixed methods were utilized in order to survey various stakeholders including parents, school principals, Education Ministry officials, academics, and educational entrepreneurs. Findings indicate that the Israeli education system is somewhat trapped between different and opposing pressures that force transformations in conflicting directions. The Israeli case may serve as a reference point for future research, advancing the study of power relations and tensions between different values and diverse stakeholders in modern education systems, especially within societies engaged in active conflict.

New Article: Yemini and Giladi, Internationalization of Israeli Educational Administration Programs

Yemini, Miri, and Aviva Giladi. “Internationalization Motivations and Strategies of Israeli Educational Administration Programs.” Journal of Studies in International Education (early view; online first).

 

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1028315315579240

 

Abstract

Internationalization became a mainstreamed goal of almost every higher education institution, and institutions are expected to proactively implement this process. Although as an academic discipline, education is considered to be one of the most context-related and locally oriented ones, it had not avoided pressures to internationalize. Within the flurry of research on internationalization, a paucity of information exists on the perceptions of academic leadership regarding internationalization within academic educational administration programs, which are preparing future schools’ leadership, who may in turn act as catalysts or inhibitors of internationalization at schools. This study aims to fill this gap with a comprehensive, in-depth, interview-based analysis of the views and opinions of educational administration program directors within diverse contextual settings in the Israeli higher education system, including the large research universities and colleges in the Jewish and Palestinian-Arab sectors, with both secular and religious inclinations. We identified three major discrete themes in the perceptions of educational administrative directors regarding internationalization: (a) the program’s purpose, (b) internationalization’s relations with the institutions’ goals, and (c) internationalization’s meaning. This study sheds light on the motivations for and obstacles facing internationalization from the underresearched perspective of educational administration degree program directors operating within the complex tension of the global–local nexus in education systems.

New Book: Peters and Newman, eds. The Routledge Handbook on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Peters, Joel and David Newman, eds. The Routledge Handbook on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. London and New York: Routledge, 2013.

 

URL: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415778626/

Abstract

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most prominent issues in world politics today. Few other issues have dominated the world’s headlines and have attracted such attention from policy makers, the academic community, political analysts, and the world’s media.

The Routledge Handbook on the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict offers a comprehensive and accessible overview of the most contentious and protracted political issue in the Middle East. Bringing together a range of top experts from Israel, Palestine, Europe and North America the Handbook tackles a range of topics including:

• The historical background to the conflict
• peace efforts
• domestic politics
• critical issues such as displacement, Jerusalem and settler movements
• the role of outside players such as the Arab states, the US and the EU

This Handbook provides the reader with an understanding of the complexity of the issues that need to be addressed in order to resolve the conflict, and a detailed examination of the varied interests of the actors involved. In-depth analysis of the conflict is supplemented by a chronology of the conflict, key documents and a range of maps.

The contributors are all leading authorities in their field and have published extensively on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict/peace process. Many have played a leading role in various Track II initiatives accompanying the peace process.

 

Table of Contents

Part 1: Competing Nationalisms

1. The Origins of Zionism Colin Schindler

2. The Palestinian National Movement: from self-rule to statehood Ahmad Samih Khalidi

Part 2:Narratives and Key Moments

3. Competing Israeli and Palestinan Narratives Paul Scham

4. The 1948 War: The Battle over History Kirsten E. Schulze

5. The First and Second Palestinian Intifadas Rami Nasrallah

6. The Camp David Summit: a Tale of Two Narratives Joel Peters

 

Part 3: Seeking Peace

7.The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process: 1967-1993 Laura Zittrain Eisenberg

8. Peace Plans: 1993-2012 Galia Golan

Part 4: Issues

9.Palestinian Refugees Rex Brynen

10. Jerusalem Michael Dumper

11. Territory and Borders David Newman

12. Water Julie Trottier

13. Terrorism Magnus Norell

14. Religion Yehezkel Landau

15. Economics Arie Arnon

16. Unilaterlaism and Separation Gerald M. Steinberg

17. Gaza Joel Peters

Part 5: Domestic Actors

18.The Palestine Liberation Organization Nigel Parsons

19. The Palestinian Authority Nigel Parsons

20. Hamas Khaled Hroub

21. Palestinian Civil Society Michael Schulz

22. Gush Emunim and the Israeli Settler Movement David Newman

23. The Israeli Peace Movements Naomi Chazan

Part 6: International Engagement

24. Palestinian Citizens of Israel Amal Jamal

25. The United States: 1948- 1993 Steven L. Spiegel

26. The United States: 1993-2010 Steven L. Spiegel

27. Russia Robert O. Freedman

28. Europe Rosemary Hollis

29. The Arab World P. R. Kumaraswamy

30. The Jewish Diaspora and the Pro-Israel Lobby Dov Waxman

Chronology Steve Lutes

ToC: Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, 8.1

Click here for PDF: http://israelcfr.com/documents/8-1/8-1-0-Contents.pdf

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At Issue: Iran

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Iran Thirty-Five Years After the Islamic Revolution: A Conversation

David Menashri

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“Like Two Scorpions in a Bottle”: Could Israel and a Nuclear Iran Coexist in the Middle East?

Louis René Beres

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“No Permanent Allies, No Permanent Enemies, Only Permanent Interests”: Israeli–Iranian Relations

Avi Primor

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Middle East Currents

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Breakdown and Possible Restart: Turkish–Israeli Relations under the AKP

Matthew S. Cohen and Charles D. Freilich

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Egypt’s Quest for Normalcy

David Sultan

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Internationalizing the Arab–Israeli Conflict

Yehuda Bauer

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European Currents and Retrospectives

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Israel and the EU: Beyond the Horizon

Frans Timmermans

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Combating Antisemitism in Europe

Michael Whine

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Two Vignettes on Israeli–European Economic Community Relations in the Late 1950s

Sharon Pardo

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Linking the Vistula and the Jordan: The Genesis of Relations between Poland and the State of Israel

Szymon Rudnicki

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Counterpoints

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Absolving the Allies? Another Look at the Anglo–American Response to the Holocaust

Alexander J. Groth

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Holocaust Rescue Revisited: An Unexplored Angle

Wojtek Rappak

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Reviews

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Israel Has Moved by Diana Pinto

Reviewed by Colette Avital

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Israel in Africa 1956–1976 by Zach Levey

Reviewed by Joel Peters

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The Wisdom of Syria’s Waiting Game: Foreign Policy Under the Assads by Bente Scheller

Reviewed by Dimitar Mihaylov

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Shiism and Politics in the Middle East by Laurence Louër

Reviewed by Harold Rhode

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Beyond War: Reimagining American Influence in a New Middle East by David Rohde

Reviewed by Juliana Geran Pilon

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The Nixon Administration and the Middle East Peace Process, 1969–1973: From the Rogers Plan to the Outbreak of the Yom Kippur War by Boaz Vanetik and Zaki Shalom

1973: The Road to War by Yigal Kipnis

Reviewed by David Rodman

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Race and US Foreign Policy: The African-American Foreign Affairs Network by Mark Ledwidge

Reviewed by Fred A. Lazin

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Useful Enemies: John Demjanjuk and America’s Open-Door Policy for Nazi War Criminals by Richard Rashke

Reviewed by Efraim Zuroff

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The Influence of Airpower upon History: Statesmanship, Diplomacy, and Foreign Policy since 1903 edited by Robin Higham and Mark Parillo

Reviewed by Danny Shalom

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Governments-in-Exile and the Jews during the Second World War edited by Jan Lánič ek and James Jordan

Reviewed by Alexander J. Groth

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Forgotten Ally: China’s World War II, 1937–1945 by Rana Mitter

Reviewed by Yitzhak Shichor

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Letters

Bertram Marc Katz, Rafael Medoff, Konrad Baumeister

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Conference: Israel and the Foreign Forces? (Tel Aviv, June 20, 2013)

 

 

 

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in collaboration with The Israeli Model UN Association (IMUNA)

Israel and the Foreign Forces?

Thursday, 20 June 2013 at INSS, Tel Aviv 15:00-18:00

 

 

A Middle East in flux induces taking in hand Israel’s national security and the United Nation’s Peace Keeping Operations that have been stationed in and around Israel for some time. Each session spotlights a different aspect to stimulate a holistic scrutiny.

Opening remarks:

Dr Glen Segell, Institute for National Security Studies.

Session 1: Stock Taking UN Peace Keeping Operations

Chair: Ms Chaya Esther Pomeranz, President, The Israeli Model UN Association, IMUNA.

Dr Avi Beker, The Diplomacy of UN Forces, Tel Aviv University.

Dr Chen Kertcher, From Ploughshares to Swords, Tami Steinmetz Center of Peace Research, and IDC.

Session 2: A Political-Military Perspective of UN Peace Keeping Operations

Chair: Brigadier General (Res.) Udi Dekel, Deputy Director, Institute for National Security Studies.

Ms Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, Deputy-Director UN Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel.

Brigadier General Asaf Urion, (Head of IDF Strategic Planning Division.

Major General Paolo Serra, Italy, UNIFIL, Head of Mission and Force Commander.

Colonel Patrick Gauchat, Switzerland, UNTSO Deputy Chief of Staff.

Session 3: A View from Contributing Countries to UN Peace Keeping Operations

Chair: Ambassador Oded Eran, Former Director, Institute for National Security Studies.

H.E. Pjer Simunovic, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia.

H.E. Breifne O’Reilly, Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland.

H.E. Generoso D.G. Calonge, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines.

H.E. Vebjørn Dysvik, Chargé d’affaires / Minister Counselor, Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway.

Address:

Brigadier General Shlomo Brom (Ret.), Institute for National Security Studies, Potential International Involvement in Arrangements with the Palestinians.

Closing Remarks:

Major General (Res.) Amos Yadlin, Director, Institute for National Security Studies.

 

Conference Location: The Institute for National Security Studies, 40 Haim Levanon Street, Tel Aviv, This Conference will be held in English and is open to the public. The number of seats is limited. The program is subject to change. Attendance to the conference is free of charge. Parking is available at the Tel Aviv University public parking lots.

 

 

 

Submitted by Glen Segell.

Cite: Ibrahim & Beaudet, Effective aid in the Occupied Palestinian Territories?

Ibrahim, Nassar and Pierre Beaudet. "Effective aid in the Occupied Palestinian Territories?." Conflict, Security & Development 12.5 (2012): 481-500.

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URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14678802.2012.744181

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Abstract

The Palestinian Territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, otherwise known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), have been a test case for international aid policies and practices for many years, especially since the Oslo agreement between the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Israeli government in 1993. Yet in many ways, the OPT are unique since they are not a state, not even a fragile state, therefore rendering the applicability of aid principles, as captured by the Paris Declaration, somehow problematic. Despite substantial aid flows over the last years, the problem of the absence of statehood is a fundamental block to development. Moreover, many aid programmes have been, partially at least, instrumentalised to stabilise the occupation. In the meantime, social and economic conditions have deteriorated. Although there are many reasons for that deterioration, we argue that the perpetuation of the Israeli occupation is the most important factor since it reproduces the social, political and economic dislocation of the OPT. This persisting occupation of the OPT, and the consequent external control over land, security, borders and so many other key elements of governance and sovereignty, explain the fact that the many attempts to make aid more ‘effective’, in the spirit of the aid effectiveness principles of the OECD, have failed.

Cite: Burton, The UNDP in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Burton, Guy. “The Use and Limitations of Conflict Analysis: The Case of the UNDP in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” Conflict, Security & Development 12.4 (2012): 331-57.

 

URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14678802.2012.724788

 

Abstract

The past two decades have seen international agencies pay closer attention to the relationship between conflict and development. An example of this is the UNDP and its conflict-related development analysis (CDA), which aims to identify the causes of conflict and design measures that will enhance development while reducing conflict. Through the case study of the CDA’s application in the occupied Palestinian territory, the article reveals its main limitations including an emphasis on conflict management (as opposed to conflict reduction), the choice of (neo-liberal) development model, prioritisation of particular partners over others (i.e. ‘state’ over non-state) and an erroneous assumption of neutrality. These have become manifested into the UNDP’s current programme for action which undermines its own stated objectives, to work ‘on’ the causes of conflict rather than ‘in’ or ‘around’ conflict. The UNDP’s experience therefore has important lessons for the use of conflict analysis and policy design elsewhere.