This balanced and comprehensive text explores Israeli government and politics, tracing the history of the state, and the social, religious, economic, and military environments of Israeli politics. Gregory Mahler's concise book provides an invaluable start for readers needing an introduction to Israel today.

Gregory S. Mahler is vice president for academic affairs, academic dean, and professor of politics at Earlham College.

List of Figures, Photos, Tables, and Boxes
Introduction
Part I: The Political Setting
Chapter 1: History and the Creation of Israel
Chapter 2: Zionism, Culture, and the Domestic Political Environment
Chapter 3: Judaism and the Role of the Jewish Religion in Israeli Politics
Chapter 4: The Military, Economic, and Bureaucratic Setting
Part II: The Governmental Institutions
Chapter 5: The Constitutional System and Parliamentary Government
Chapter 6: The Prime Minister and the Knesset
Chapter 7: Political Parties and Interest Groups
Chapter 8: The Electoral Process and Voting Behavior
Part III: Foreign Policy and the Middle Eastern Political Setting
Chapter 9: The Foreign Policy Setting
Chapter 10: The Palestinians, the West Bank and Gaza
Chapter 11: Jerusalem
Chapter 12: The Peace Process
Notes
About the Author