Jewish Self-Determination beyond Zionism

Lessons from Hannah Arendt and Other Pariahs

Jonathan Graubart

• Publisher: Temple University Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781439923580, 9781439923573
• eBook ISBN: 9781439923597
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Jewish History

Jewish Self-Determination beyond Zionism examines the liberal Zionist and Jewish anti-Zionist perspectives that developed in the decades following Israeli statehood. In his timely book, Jonathan Graubart. advances a non-statist vision of Jewish self-determination to be realized in a binational political arrangement that rejects Apartheid practices and features a just and collaborative coexistence of Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs. The book's vision advances a distinct Jewish self-determination committed to cultural enrichment and emancipation, internationalism, and the fostering of new political, social, and economic channels for attaining genuine reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.  

Jewish Self-Determination beyond Zionism also engages a Humanist Zionist vision to confront the Zionist movement's foundational sins and demands a full reckoning with the Palestinians. Graubart focuses on two of Humanist Zionism's most insightful thinkers, Martin Buber and Hannah Arendt, putting them "in conversation" with each other, and synthesizing their collective insights and critical Jewish perspectives alongside the ideas of Noam Chomsky, Judith Butler, Ella Shohat, Edward Said, and other philosophers and academics. Jewish Self-Determination beyond Zionism concludes that an updated, binational program is the best path forward.
 

Table of contents

• Contents
• Preface and Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1. The Need for a Reformation of Jewish Self-Determination
• 2. Bringing Humanism to Politics: Martin Buber on Zionism
• 3. Hannah Arendt’s Pariah Zionist Challenge
• 4. Missing Every Opportunity for Peace and Reconciliation
• 5. Toward an Updated Critical Jewish Vision on Zionism: Engaging Humanist Zionism with Contemporary Critical Jewish Voices
• 6. Lessons from Edward Said and Ella Shohat on Reconciliation and Coexistence
• Conclusion: How to Further an Ambitious New Vision
• Notes
• Index