Does the bible justify Zionism?
Since the foundation of the Israeli state in 1948, Torah and tank have become increasingly inseparable, resulting in the forced expulsion and subjugation of millions of indigenous Palestinians.
Nur Masalha's groundbreaking new book traces Zionism's evolution from a secular, settler movement in the late 19th century, to the messianic faith it has become today. He shows how the biblical language of 'chosen people' and 'promised land' has been used by many Christian and Jewish Zionists as the 'title deeds' for Israel, justifying ethnic division and violence.
With Edward Said, Masalha argues that a new politics of peace can only be achieved through a single, democratic state, which replaces religious zealotry with secular equality.
By:
Nur Masalha
Imprint: Zed Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 153mm,
Spine: 153mm
Weight: 585g
ISBN: 9781842777619
ISBN 10: 1842777610
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 15 August 2007
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Acknowledgements Introduction 1. The Bible and the Founding Myths of Israel: History, New Historiography and the Truth (1882-1948) 2. From the Secular to the Sacred: Messianic Zionism and the Occupied Territories (1967-2006) 3. Reinventing Maimonides: From Universalist Arabo-Jewish Philosopher to Religious Fundamentalist (1967-2006) 4. Jewish Fundamentalism and the 'Sacred Geography' of Jerusalem in Comparative Perspective: Implications for Inter-faith Relations 5. The Politics of Armageddon: Christian Fundamentalism, the State of Israel and Jerusalem 6. Political Islam in Palestine and Israel 7. Reading the Bible with the Eyes of the Canaanites: Michael Prior, Liberation Theology and Moral Obligations 8. The Secular Democractic State: Edward W. Said and a New Political Vision for Palestine and Israel Epilogue
DR NUR MASALHA is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Holy Land Research Project at St.Mary's College, University of Surrey, UK. He is Editor of Holy Land Studies: A Multidisciplinary Journal . His books include: Imperial Israel and the Palestinians (2000); and The Politics of Denial (2003).
Reviews for The Bible and Zionism: Invented Traditions, Archaeology and Post-Colonialism in Palestine-Israel
Groundbreaking. * Abrar * His argument should be read and taken deadly seriously...Nur makes a fascinating comparison between US backing for Israel today and British Christian backing for the Zionist project over a hundred years ago. * John Rose, International Socialism * As a collection of virtually independent, yet interdependent essays, this books must strike the reader as unique in its breadth of discourse in the now increasingly over-subscribed as well as predominately 'area study' focussed discipline of Middle Eastern politics and history ... very important and contextually relevant. * Sam Jacob, University of Exeter, Friends of Al-Aqsa * Challenging. * The Pastoral Review *
