Description: There is growing interest in Israel's political system from all parts of the world. This Handbook provides a unique comprehensive presentation of political life in Israel from the formative pre-state period to the present. The themes covered include: political heritage and the unresolved issues that have been left to fester; the institutional framework (the Knesset, government, judiciary, presidency, the state comptroller and commissions of inquiry); citizens' political participation (elections, political parties, civil society and the media); the four issues that have bedevilled Israeli democracy since its establishment (security, state and religion, the status of Israel's Arab citizens and economic inequities with concomitant social gaps); and the contours of the political culture and its impact on Israel's democracy. The authors skilfully integrate detailed basic data with an analysis of structures and processes, making the Handbook accessible to both experts and those with a general interest in Israel.
Brief description: Dana Blander is a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) in Jerusalem, the editor of IDI's online magazine 'Parliament', and a clinical psychologist. Her research focuses on Israeli politics, specifically civic participation and deliberative democracy, referendums, anti-democratic legislation, public opinion and investigation committees. She received her degrees in Political Science and Psychology from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Her doctoral thesis, 'Ambivalence as a Challenge to The Political Order', won the Hebrew University Berger Prize for academic excellence.
Review Quotes: 'A treasure of information, analysis and insight. A must for anyone who wishes to understand the complex challenges, achievements and difficulties, of the Jewish state.' Shlomo Avineri, Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities