ISRAELI SOCIETY, HISTORY AND POLITICS – PART 2

A course for those who have completed “Israeli Society, History and Politics”, in which we’ll take an in-depth look and add new perspectives to some of the topics covered in the first course, using texts, analysis, and other sources.

We’ll discuss issues which were not covered deeply in the first course like the story of North African and Middle Eastern Jews in the 20th century and the conflicts between Theodor Herzl and his Jewish opposers. We’ll also read key texts by Herzl, Yitzhak Rabin, Binjamin Netanyahu, Reuven Rivlin and more and go deeper into the implications of the 1948, 1967 and 1973 wars when we’ll look into the development of post war movements such as Gush Emunim (the settler movement) and Shalom Acshav (Peace Now).

Like in the first course, these subjects will be complemented by inserts of Israeli cultures – music, film and literature.

Paideia folkhögskola also offers the course “Israeli Society, History and Politics – Part 1” in the spring of 2026. You can find more information on the course page for that course. 

Prior knowledge

The course is given in English.

Applicants need to have completed the course “Israeli Society, History and Politics”. 

Course material

Course material is included in the cost for this course.

About the teacher

Born and raised in Israel and currently living in Stockholm, David Stavrou is a journalist, a guide and a teacher. As a journalist he writes for Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz and for other publications about Sweden, Scandinavia and Europe and about issues related to democracy, human rights and genocide worldwide. His book, “An Israeli Cross”, which he co-authored with his brother, Daniel Stavrou, was published in 2014 by Israeli publisher Indibook. His second book about the Israeli diaspora in Europe, “Leaving Zion”, was published in 2020 by Israeli publisher Pardes. He is married and a father of four boys.

Photo: Haifa, Canva.