Synopsis
The Jewish State: The Struggle for Israel’s Soul by Yoram Hazony is a provocative and meticulously researched exploration of the ideological battles surrounding the concept of Israel as a Jewish state, tracing the evolution of Zionism and the rise of post-Zionism from the late 19th century to the 1990s. Hazony, an Israeli philosopher and president of the Herzl Institute, argues that Israel’s cultural and intellectual elite have increasingly abandoned the foundational Zionist vision of a sovereign Jewish state, a shift he sees as a threat to the nation’s identity and survival. The book begins with an examination of Theodor Herzl’s seminal work, The Jewish State (1896), which proposed a national homeland as a solution to Jewish vulnerability in Europe. Hazony highlights Herzl’s political philosophy, rooted in the belief that a Jewish state would provide not only physical security but also an “internal security of the soul,” fostering a unique Jewish character and civilization. Herzl’s vision, Hazony contends, was a rejection of assimilationist ideals and a bold assertion of Jewish particularism, contrasting with universalist philosophies like Rousseau’s social contract.
The narrative then shifts to David Ben-Gurion, Herzl’s ideological heir, who faced immense opposition in realizing this vision. Hazony details Ben-Gurion’s struggles against both non-Jewish adversaries and Jewish intellectuals who resisted the establishment of a Jewish state. A central focus is the opposition from German-Jewish thinkers like Martin Buber, Gershom Scholem, and Hannah Arendt, who advocated for a binational state and criticized Zionism’s nationalist framework. These intellectuals, based at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem since its founding in 1925, are portrayed as sowing the seeds of anti-Zionism. Hazony argues that their influence persisted, shaping a post-Zionist movement that gained traction in the 1990s, characterized by a rejection of Israel’s Jewish character in favor of a secular, universalist “state of its citizens.” He cites examples in Israeli academia, literature, media, and even the military, where post-Zionist ideas have eroded traditional Zionist narratives, such as Meir Shalev’s A Russian Romance (1988), a satirical novel that mocks Labor Zionism’s pioneers.
Hazony’s analysis is both historical and polemical, critiquing the cultural shift he sees as a betrayal of Zionism’s original ideals. He contends that Ben-Gurion and Labor Zionism, while achieving practical successes like statehood in 1948, failed to articulate a robust ideological defense against intellectual assaults, leaving the Jewish state vulnerable to internal disintegration. The book also explores the political dimensions of this struggle, noting how post-Zionist ideas have influenced Israel’s foreign policy and legal establishments, fostering a narrative that questions the legitimacy of a Jewish nation-state. Hazony acknowledges the complexity of the debate, presenting the anti-Zionist perspective—particularly its moral concerns about altering Palestine’s demographics against Arab wishes—but ultimately defends Herzl and Ben-Gurion’s vision, arguing that a Jewish state remains essential for Jewish survival and cultural flourishing.
Despite its somber tone, The Jewish State ends on an optimistic note, suggesting that a renewed commitment to Zionist ideals could counter post-Zionism’s influence. Hazony draws inspiration from the very intellectuals he critiques, noting that a small group, like Buber’s circle, reshaped Israel’s intellectual landscape, implying that a dedicated few could revive the Jewish state’s ideological foundations. The book is lauded for its clarity, thorough research, and engaging storytelling, though some critics, like those in First Things, argue Hazony overstates the impact of German-Jewish intellectuals and simplifies their motives, while others find his portrayal of post-Zionism overly alarmist. Nevertheless, The Jewish State is a compelling intellectual history and a call to action for those concerned with Israel’s identity, offering a nuanced yet passionate defense of Zionism in an era of ideological flux. It remains a significant contribution to debates about Israel’s past, present, and future, appealing to readers interested in political philosophy, Jewish history, and contemporary Israeli politics.