A Brief History of Israel

Israel is a modern country with a short history set into the lengthy story of Jewish history. ""A Brief History of Israel"" explores that history with an emphasis on the period since Israel's independence in 1948. A historical narrative that tells the complex story of a people and their modern state, established thousands of years after the destruction of the old one, this comprehensive volume also examines the key events leading up to independence. Touching on important themes such as exile, anti-Semitism, Zionism, and the Holocaust, it helps clarify the historical undercurrents to events in Israel today.The chronological narration begins with the time of Abraham and the period of the Israelite kingdoms and continues through World War II and the United Nations Partition Plan to the independent country of Israel, exploring in great detail the fabric of the modern state. Informative sidebars, black-and-white photographs, maps, a glossary, a bibliography, an index, and appendixes-including major documents and election results - accompany the highly readable text. This one-stop reference to the events, people, and ideas leading up to and following the creation of the independent state of Israel provides invaluable information for anyone interested in Jewish history, Israel and the Middle East, or current events in this troubled region.Special attention is given to: the period since Israel's independence in 1948; Israel's position in the international community; the Middle East Peace Process; and economic and political challenges.