The Promise of Israel

Why Israel's greatest weakness is its greatest strength, and what its supporters and enemies can learn from its successIsrael's critics in the West insist that no country founded on a single religion or culture can stay democratic and prosperous?but they're wrong. In The Promise of Israel, Daniel Gordis points out that Israel has defied that conventional wisdom. It has provided its citizens infinitely greater liberty and prosperity than anyone expected, faring far better than any other young nation. Israel's "magic" is a unique blend of democracy and tradition, of unabashed particularism coupled to intellectual and cultural openness. Given Israel's success, it would make sense for many other countries, from Rwanda to Afghanistan and even Iran, to look at how they've done it. In fact, rather than seeking to destroy Israel, the Palestinians would serve their own best interests by trying to copy it.

• Takes many of the most compelling arguments against Israel and turns them completely on their heads, undoing liberals with a more liberal argument and the religious with a more devout argument
• Puts forth an idea that is as convincing as it is shocking?that Iran's clerics and the Taliban should want to be more like Israel
• Written by Daniel Gordis, the author of the National Jewish Book Award winner, Saving Israel
• Daniel Gordis has been called "one of Israel's most thoughtful observers" (Alan Dershowitz) and "a writer whose reflections are consistently as intellectually impressive as they are moving" (Cynthia Ozick) Certain to generate controversy and debate, The Promise of Israel is one of the most interesting and original books about Israel in years.

Autorentext

DANIEL GORDIS is Senior Vice President and Koret Distinguished Fellow at the Shalem Center and a columnist for the Jerusalem Post. He has also written for the New York Times, Commentary, Tikkun, the Forward, and the New York Times Magazine. He is the author of several books, including Saving Israel, winner of a National Jewish Book Award.

Inhalt

Introduction: Asleep under Fire 1

ONE The Israel Model 14

TWO Where a Tradition Meets the World 25

THREE Diff erence Matters 39

FOUR Universalism's Betrayal 57

FIVE A Biblical Tug-of-War 73

SIX The Invention of the Invention of Nationalism 91

SEVEN Diversity Is the Key to Human Freedom 112

EIGHT The Only Thing We Should Not Tolerate Is Intolerance 126

NINE A Country with the Soul of a Church 140

TEN A State unto the Diaspora 165

Conclusion: Survival Is Not a Purpose 183

Acknowledgments 197

Notes 203

Index 229