2020 JSU Gala Journal

Galia & Milton z”l Movitz Senator
John Danforth Israel Scholars Program
Although just 1/8th of 1% of the
Middle East and smaller than the
State of New Jersey, the country
of Israel receives 75 times more
news coverage than any other
area of equal population and 10
times more than other nations in
armed conflict. Israel has been
and remains at the cutting edge
of medical and technological
advancements that are
enhancing and saving the lives
of millions of people around the world on a daily basis, yet it is embroiled in ongoing
political and military battles for its very survival.
In this course, you will be introduced to the history of Israel beginning with the ancient
and medieval eras. We will then focus on the development of modern political Zionism
in nineteenth century Europe, going into discussion of the historical background
leading to the establishment of the state of Israel and the history of Israel until present,
culminating with the relationship between Israel and the Arab world. Students will
identify and explore the circumstances leading to the development of modern and
political Zionism. We will delve into the historical events in Europe that led to the Zionist
ideological foundation of the state of Israel, Herzl’s vision of the State for the Jews,
the early immigration prior to the establishment of the state of Israel, their contribution
to the establishment of the Yishuv (the Jewish settlement) and their political agenda
under the British Mandate.
The second part of the course explores the history of Israel from its establishment in
1948 to the present day. It highlights the centrality of immigration in determining the
characteristics of the society and the emergence of ethnicity and religiosity and its
influence on the socio-cultural, economic and political center-periphery structure of
the society. The third part deals with the relationship of the State of Israel to the Arab
world and, in particular, to its neighboring countries, including the many attempts for
peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors and why some succeeded and others
failed. The fourth and final part of the course will focus on the historical relationship
between Israel and the United States based on the shared visions and shared values
of both countries, the contributions of Israel to the world in the arena of medical and
technological advancements, the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions)
and the rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment on the university campus and
around the world.
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