ISRAELI SOCIETY, HISTORY, AND POLITICS – PART 1

Under what conditions was Israel established, and what is the country today—a realized dream rising from the ashes of the Holocaust? An attempt to create a utopia? An ordinary country struggling for its existence, or yet another failed state in the Middle East? When did the country cease to be a social-democratic welfare state and become a neoliberal market economy? And is there any possibility of peace with its neighbors?

The course takes us on a journey through historical events, major questions, ideologies, and decisive challenges—the conflicts, violence, and wars, the leaders, political parties, and people who have shaped 75 years of Israeli history. We also address relations between minorities and the majority society, as well as important cultural events.

Paideia folkhögskola also offers the course Israeli Society, History and Politics – Part 2. You can find more information on the course page for that course.

Prior Knowledge

The course is given in English.

No prior knowledge about the subject is needed.

Course Material

Course material is included in the cost for this course.

About the Teacher

David Stavrou was born and raised in Israel and is now based in Stockholm. He is a journalist, guide, and teacher. As a journalist, he writes about Sweden, Scandinavia, and Europe for, among others, the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz, and about Israel for, among others, Svenska Dagbladet. David’s main areas of focus are issues related to democracy, human rights, genocide, political history, and culture. His book An Israeli Cross, which he co-authored with his brother Daniel Stavrou, was published in 2014 by the Israeli publisher Indibook. David’s second book on the Israeli diaspora in Europe, Leaving Zion, was published in 2020 by the Israeli publisher Pardes. He is married and the father of four sons.

Photo: Haifa, Canva.