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)

9781009088312, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 May 2025

330 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 2 cm, 0.5 kg

'This book is an excellent starting point for any who are interested in Israel's Declaration of Independence (and de facto Constitution).' Michael J. Broyde, Israel Studies 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]