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Lecturer(s)
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Reichard Ariel, Ph.D.
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Cahová Ivana, Mgr. PhD.
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Course content
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Content: The course will offer a comprehensive insight into contemporary Israeli politics and foreign policy. Through the presented materials, lectures, and discussions, students will have the opportunity to analyze Israeli security and foreign policy choices and behavior from independence until the current war. List of topics: 1. The historical and cultural origins of Israel's security doctrine - from King David to the Holocaust 2. Jewish diplomacy in the Pre-Independence Phase (Yishuv) 3. Israel's National Security making system 4. The Israeli-Arab and Israeli-Palestinian conflict 5. Israeli foreign relations with the world: the US, Africa, Europe, China and Russia. 6. Selected case studies in foreign and security affairs - counter-terrorism, propaganda, and intelligence 7. Israeli Security and the October 7 attack 8. Changes to Israel's security environment: The New Middle East and Beyond
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the seminars is to present an overview of Israel's foreign and security policies since independence until the current war and examine the factors and processes that shaped Israel's relations with regional and international actors. The course will analyze the factors that determine Israel's major policies, taking into account the tension between Israel's geographic location in the Middle East and its Western orientation, Israel's Jewish origins and identity, and its strategic situation in the Middle East, including the Israeli-Arab and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts and recent changes in the region. Specific focus will be given to Israeli decision makers' dilemmas and the tension between ideology and interest in Israel's foreign policy. Estimated dates: Thursday 10.4., 12:00-15:00 Friday 11.4., 12:00-15:00 Thursday 17.4., 12:00-15:00
Graduates of the course will gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by Israel and the ways in which Israelis view their position in the Middle east. Students will understand the ways Israeli foreign policy decisions are made and the ways Israel's security situation changed since independence. Students will understand some of the factors - materials and normative - that influence Israel's foreign policy and security behavior towards its main rivals and allies (e.g., United States, Russia, Arab states and Palestinians, UN, China, East and Central Europe etc.).
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Prerequisites
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No prior knowledge is required. An interest and curiosity of Israel and/or the modern Middle East is welcome. The seminar is primary open to students of the Center for Jewish studies and to students of the Department of Politics and European Studies. Students from other UPOL study programs are welcome too.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Essay
1. Attendance and active participation in the discussions during the seminar. Max. excused absence 20%. 2. Home preparation in the form of viewing predetermined materials (e.g., movies, slides) and reading assigned literature (Moodle). 3. Preparation of a final term essay on a selected topic in the range of 3 standard pages.
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Recommended literature
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Ahron Bregman. (2020). Israel's Wars: A History Since 1947. Routledge.
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Emmanuel Navon. (2020). The Star and The Scepter - A Diplomatic History of Israel. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society.
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Charles D. Freilich. (2012). Zion's Dilemma: How Israel Makes National Security Policy. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
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Uri Bialer. (2020). Israeli Foreign Policy: A People Shall Not Dwell Alone. Indiana University Pres.
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