Overview

This book surveys discourse and opinion in the United States toward the Arab-Israeli conflict since 1991. Contrary to popular myth, it demonstrates that US support for Israel is not based on the pro-Israel lobby, but rather is deeply rooted in American political culture. That support has increased since 9/11. However, the bulk of this increase has been among Republicans, conservatives, evangelicals, and Orthodox Jews. Meanwhile, among Democrats, liberals, the Mainline Protestant Church, and non-Orthodox Jews, criticism of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians has become more vociferous. This book works to explain this paradox.

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9781107094420

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Reviews

'Professor Rynhold has made a pioneering and illuminating contribution to our understanding of the contemporary American Jewish community and its complex relationship with the Arab-Israel conflict. For the first time, scholars of American Jewry, US foreign policy and Middle Eastern politics will gain insights into the deep and often strident divisions among American Jews on an issue of paramount importance to their identity, their values, and their connection to Israel. The Arab-Israeli Conflict in American Political Culture is an essential source for anyone interested in American Jewish, US-Israel, and Israeli-Palestinian affairs.' Michael B. Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and current Chair in International Diplomacy at IDC, Herzliya, Israel 'Jonathan Rynhold's book is a first-rate analysis of the changing position of Israel in American politics. Rynhold carefully demonstrates how Republicans and Evangelical Christians have increasingly embraced Israel, while Democrats and most American Jews - Orthodox Jews are a notable exception - have increasingly questioned Israeli policies. This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in the role of Israel in US and Jewish politics.' Robert O. Freedman, Adjunct Professor, The Johns Hopkins University 'Jonathan Rynhold is one of the most perceptive observers of American perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that Israel has produced in recent years. While many Israelis fashion themselves as experts on America, Rynhold is the real thing. He has kept his finger on the pulse like very few others. Readers will gain much from his wide knowledge and profound insights.' David Makovsky, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Author Information

Jonathan Rynhold is the director of the Argov Center for the Study of the Jewish People and the State of Israel in the Political Studies Department at Bar-Ilan University, where he is also a senior researcher at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. Dr Rynhold's research focuses on Israeli and American approaches toward the Middle East peace process. His work has been published in numerous academic journals, including Political Science Quarterly, Survival, and the Review of International Studies. He has also co-edited two volumes on Israeli elections in the Israel at the Polls series and is a member of the editorial board of the journal Fathom.

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