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In FROM HERZL TO RABIN, Amnon Rubinstein traces the history of the Israeli state and provides the reader with a fascinating study of Zionism. Moving deftly between the roles of objective historian and persuasive politician, Rubinstein uses his skills to show both the political and religious aspects of Zionism and the attacks on it by the haredim and Post- and anti-Zionists.
Israel's presence in the world has changed the status of Jews everywhere---both inside and outside its borders. But a recent and destructive reality threatens the classic Zionist perception. The threat comes form two directions: first is the danger of religious and haredi Judaism becoming the spearhead of nationalism in its most insidious form, and second is the threat to the essence of Judaism and Israel from the left. Rubinstein believes that to be Post- or anti-Zionist is to undermine the existence of the state of Israel and its necessary place in the world.
 Can Israel be both Jewish and truly democratic? How can a nation-state, which incorporates a large national minority with a distinct identity of its own be a state of all its citizens? Written by two eminent Israeli scholars, a professor of constitutional law and a historian, Alexander Yakobson and Amnon Rubinstein are the first to treat Zionism and Israeli experience in light of other states' experiences and in particular of newly established states that have undergone constitutional changes and wrestled with issues of minorities.Citing various European, constitutions and laws, the authors explore the concept of a Jewish State and its various meanings in the light of international law, and the current norms of Human Rights as applied to other democratic societies compatible with liberal democratic norms and conclude that international reality does not accord with the concept which regards a modern, liberal democracy as a culturally 'neutral' and a nationally colourless entity. In light of the new political map in Israel and the prospect of future disengagement from the West Bank, "Israel and the Family of Nations" is essential reading for all those who wish to understand Israel's future challenges.
HIGHWAY NUMBER 5 - A NOVEL
Highway number 5 is a wild, unusual, colorful, funny novel about the journey of Uri Manoss, a well-established Tel-Aviv lawyer, into the heart of the other Israel. This other Israel includes a cast of enchanting, marginal and bizarre figures: Simon -Zalman, the beggar- teacher; Brigitte, the trsansexual: Barbara the refugee- prostitute; Ibraham, the Arab Jew; Harry Krishna and Hassidic disciples. Uri's encounters with these characters lead him to reflect on his life and on his own family, as well as about the role of mere chance in life. These reflections expose his inner ambiguities as well as the contradictions of Israeli society. At the height of the novel's drama, a rare encounter between these marginal figures and the stalwarts of Israeli bourgeoisie takes place. This encounter is written as a separate, chamber masterpiece which is both funny and sad. The novel is a bitter-sweet tale which keeps surprising its readers all the way to the unexpected end. (taken from the blurb of the Hebrew edition published by Schocken publishing house/All rights reserved).
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