Israeli Politics: Government, Conflicts, and Power Struggles

The study was conducted within the framework of the motivation to understand Middle Eastern politics. Recent developments in the region have made it necessary to understand Israeli politics. The aim was to provide basic knowledge on the political history and institutions of Israel, one of the most important countries in the Middle East, upon completion of the prepared training. Our training consists of nine lessons in total. Our first lesson focused on how the foundations of the State of Israel were laid. In this context, the studies of Theodor Herzl, known as the founding father of the State of Israel, Aliyahs, mass Jewish migrations to the region, activities of Jewish gangs in the region and the importance of Jerusalem were emphasized. Our second lesson touched on the historical events leading to the establishment of the State of Israel. In this context, important events that took place between the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and 1948 were discussed. Our third lesson examined four important wars between Israel and the Arab countries in the region. In our fourth lesson, the solution attempts between Israel and Palestine and the partial conflict period were discussed. In this context, the historical events affecting the Israeli-Palestinian issue were emphasized, starting from the Camp David Accords signed in 1978 and ending with Operation Cast Lead in 2009. In the fifth and sixth lessons, the main components of the Israeli State Identity were discussed. In this context, the formation process of the Israeli State Identity was examined on six basic principles: Zionism, Judaism, Liberal Democracy and Westernism, Militarism, Settler Colonialism, Jewish History, and the Holocaust. In our seventh lesson, the political structure of the State of Israel was examined. In this context, the basic frameworks of the legislative, executive and judicial organs of the State of Israel were discussed. In addition, the Israeli election system was discussed. In our eighth lesson, the dominant ideological approaches and political parties in Israel were discussed. In this context, the Zionist approaches in Israel were examined under three groups: Socialist, Revisionist, and Religious, and in this context, the basic policies of the parties operating in the country were revealed. In our ninth and final lesson, our course ended by focusing on political leaders who left their mark on Israeli politics. At the end of the lessons, academic readings on the relevant actors were also shared. It is expected that these readings will reinforce the content of the lessons.

I hope it will be useful..