Israel: The first decade – Introductory course
In its first decade, Israel's history was dominated by dramatic events. The 1948 war yielded both an Israeli military victory and a massive and yet unresolved Palestinian refugee problem – security issues were still a major concern long after the war had ended. Mass immigration reshaped the land. Logistical, political, and social challenges had to be met while the new nation was being built. Time and great effort were dedicated to the establishment of state institutions according to the ideology of mamlakhtiyut, or statism. This course traces the impact of Israel's major security, political and economic struggles on the shaping of Israeli society.