HISTORY / MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES / POLITICAL SCIENCE

FROM HERZL TO RABIN

The Changing Image of Zionism

In From Herzl to Rabin, Amnon Rubinstein traces the history of the Israeli state and provides the reader with a fascinating study of Zionism. Moving deftly between the roles of objective historian and persuasive politician, Rubinstein uses his skills to show both the political and religious aspects of Zionism and the attacks on it by the haredim and Post- and anti-Zionists.

"Any list of stimulating and provocative books written on Israel during the past few years would surely include Amnon Rubinstein's masterful survey of the tensions that have riveted Israeli society from before the creation of the state to the near past....[From Herzl to Rabin is] one of the finest analyses of the fault lines and stress fractures that have beset Israeli society."
—Chicago Jewish Star Magazine

"Amnon Rubinstein observes the Zionist experience and analyzes it with a critical fine-tooth comb, yet with both love and empathy. His book is an intriguing and fascinating voyage into the Zionist soul with a concerned insight. He deeply identifies with Zionism, with a universal and liberal view, out of concern for our society's image."
—Ehud Barak (from the Foreword)

"Rubinstein has written a book that is an 'easy read,' because he is a fine writer. But this book should then be read again, with great care, to savor what is between the lines and to learn from this deep and necessary account of Zionism after one hundred years."
—Arthur Hertzberg (from the Preface)

"A skillful navigation through turbulent waters."
—Kirkus Review

"Amnon Rubinstein's book opens a splendid perspective on Israeli reality and on various currencies in Israeli society. Rubinstein's voice is the voice of liberal Zionism, of pragmatic realism, and of realistic humanism."
—Amos Oz

"A masterful recounting of how Herzl's fantastic Zionist dream evolved into modern Israel—with all its warts and contradiction. Amnon Rubinstein looks unblinkingly at the century-long struggle, and its outcome. Truly, an extraordinary book."
—Samuel W. Lewis, U.S. Ambassador to Israel (1977–1985)

"At a time when extremist factions on the Right and Left are monopolizing center stage in Israeli politics, we must be grateful to Rubinstein for reasserting the centrist position. His level-headed moderation stands out in contrast to the current waves of extremism engulfing Israel—and reminds us of the Zionist vision that created the democratic state of Israel in the first place."
—Reform Judaism

"...an important history of Zionism as well as a warning that the Jewish state is caught up in an internal struggle between those who seek peace with the Palestinians and those opposed to the formula of 'land for peace.'"
—Choice

"...[Rubinstein] advocates the reassertion of what he believes to be humane Jewish values which will allow the state to accord equality to all while maintaining a Jewish character."
—The Economist

"In his cogent review of the movement that created Israel, the author elucidates why and how Zionism arose, and why it has led to the creation of a modern, democratic state in a notoriously tyrannical region of the world."
—Na'amat Woman

"Rubinstein's provocative book raises fundamental questions about the divide that separates Jew from Jew in Israel."
—Hadassah Magazine

"Amnon Rubinstein's book is a reflective reservoir that is fed by a wide range of sources, classic and contemporary. ... The author's assessment of the theory and practice of Zionism, with all its wisdom and wrangle, is evenhanded and his assent to the incontrovertible fact that Jewish nationalism, more than any other ideological course or trend, contributed to Jewish survival in the century of pogrom and Shoah is defensible and persuasive."
—Congress Monthly

"The author presents his opponents' views fairly, but rebuts them in strong terms. The debate is important and this book should be read in conjunction with opposing viewpoints. ... The book is well written by a highly intelligent Zionist author."
—Chaim Seymour, AJL Newsletter

Amnon Rubinstein's brilliant career spans more than a quarter of a century. In 1974, he founded and led the "Shinui" party, which became part of the Democratic Movement for Change ("Dash"). From 1977 to 1984, he served as a member of the Knesset (Israel's Parliament), and in 1984 was appointed Minister of Communications. From 1987 to 1992, he sat on the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, the House Committee, and was Chair of the Ethics Committee. During that time he initiated Israel's only legislation providing constitutional protection for Human Rights: Basic Law for Human Dignity and Liberty and Basic Law for Freedom of Occupation. In 1992, he served as both Minister of Energy and Minister of Science and Technology. From 1993 to 1996 he held the post of Minister of Education, Culture and Sports. He is currently a member of the Knesset and Chairman of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. ¶ In earlier years, before Professor Rubinstein entered government service, he was Dean of the Tel Aviv Law School. He has also authored many articles and books, including The Zionist Dream Revisited (Schocken, New York, 1984) and The Constitutional Law of Israel, Fifth Edition (Schocken, Tel Aviv, 1997).