Ben-Gurion, Zionism and American Jewry

1948 - 1963

Ariel Feldestein

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2007
• ISBN:
  9781134193233
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Storia
• Subtopic: Storia mediorientale

Based on archival material, this intriguing book examines David Ben-Gurion's influence on the relationship between the state of Israel, the Zionist Organization and American Jewry between 1948 and 1963 when he served as Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. The author discusses how Ben-Gurion was largely instrumental in forming Israel's policies throughout the first two decades of the country's existence and, due to his position, personality and prestige, he was able to influence the fashioning of political structures as well as their content.

The book discusses both the political motives of the leaders and the ideological discourse, in order to understand their dependency and to highlight their significance in the terms Diaspora and exile, the centrality of the State of Israel, and the role played by the Jews of America. As such this will be of great interest to scholars of Middle East Studies, Jewish Studies, and ethnicity and nationalism.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Ben-Gurion, Zionism and American Jewry
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction: Ben-Gurion, Zionism, and American Jewry before statehood
• Part I: Establishing and consolidating the State, 1948–1953
• Part II: After resigning from the premiership, 1953–1955
• Part III: Second term in office, 1955–1963
• Conclusion
• Notes
• Sources and bibliography