Israel's Declaration of Independence
The History and Political Theory of the Nation's Founding Moment

The first book-length treatment of the history and political thought of Israel's Declaration of Independence and its drafting process.

Neil Rogachevsky (Author), Dov Zigler (Author)

9781316514771, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 December 2022

300 pages
23.7 x 15.9 x 2.4 cm, 0.62 kg

'In … Israel's Declaration of Independence, Neil Rogachevsky and Dov Zigler explore the history and political theory at the heart of the nation's founding moment, rigorously analyze the founding document, and explain that it may have just as much to say as its American forebear … At this fraught moment, we would do well to revisit the Jewish state's founding and study what the country's forefathers envisioned for the nation … Rogachevsky and Zigler are helpful guides to the early debates that shaped the country's political culture, providing insights into the core values and principles that underpin Israeli democracy and the role of the judiciary within it. A careful reading and consideration of this book could help illuminate a potential path out of the present quagmire.' Bobby Miller, National Review

Israel's Declaration of Independence brings to life the debates and decisions at the founding of the state of Israel. Through a presentation of the drafts of Israel's Declaration of Independence in English for the first time, Neil Rogachevsky and Dov Zigler shed new light on the dilemmas of politics, diplomacy, and values faced by Israel's leaders as they charted the path to independence and composed what became modern Israel's most important political text. The stakes began with war, state-building, strategy, and great power politics, and ascended to matters of high principle: freedom, liberty, sovereignty, rights, and religion. Using fast-paced narration of the meetings of Israel's leadership in April and May 1948, this volume tells the astonishing story of the drafting of Israel's Declaration of Independence, enriching and reframing the understanding of Israel's founding and its ideas - and tracing its legacy.

1. Natural rights
2. From natural rights to labor Zionism: Tzvi Berenson and the legal department's draft
3. International law: Herschel Lauterpacht's draft
4. Diplomacy: Moshe Shertok's draft
5. Politics and law: debating the declaration
6. Natural and historical right: David Ben-Gurion and Israel's Declaration
7. The laws of Israel and the declaration of independence
Conclusion: sovereignty, the Jewish state, and principles of political right.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Judaism [HRJ], Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]