Crooked Timber of Democracy in Israel : Promise Unfulfilled

A narrative chronicle of Israeli democracy that defines historic phases and follows thematic challenges to democracy, including: competition between religion and the rule of law; the statist society and chaotic minoritocracy; modern illiberal populism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The comprehensive portrait exposes endemic flaws of democracy in Israel, but also shows that Israel has considerable capacity – and responsibility – to fulfill the promise of democracy.

"Scheindlin brilliantly situates Israel’s democratic crisis in a broad historical perspective. Unlike many works on the subject, she proactively addresses the dynamic relations between Jewish and Arab citizens, and how Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories cannot be separated from addressing the nature of the Israeli system. Marshalling fresh data in making her case, Scheindlin produces a must-read book that cannot be timelier." Shibley Telhami, Anwar Sadat Professor of Peace and Development, University of Maryland, and Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution

"Quite simply an essential read for anyone seeking a true understanding of Israel, written by one of the most astute experts on the subject. Informed, nuanced, lucid, and comprehensive, this book exposes the deep roots of Israel’s current crisis and its prospects for the future." Dr. Yael Sternhell, Senior Lecturer, Department of History at Tel Aviv University and columnist, Haaretz newspaper

"The book concludes before the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, which paused but did not end the debate about democracy in Israel. It is an enormously valuable resource for understanding the Israeli reactions to the attack, as well as the challenges the country will still face when the guns fall silent." Lisa Anderson in: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/crooked-timber-democracy-israel-promise-unfulfilled (17.05.2024)