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

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.

Table of Contents:
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.

About the Author :
Neil Rogachevsky is clinical assistant professor and associate director at the Straus Center of Yeshiva University, where he teaches Israel studies and political thought. His writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Tablet, Mosaic, Jewish Review of Books, American Affairs, Ha'aretz and other publications. Dov Zigler is an independent scholar and an economics researcher at Element Capital in New York.

Review :
'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 '[Rogachevsky and Zigler] present a strong analysis of the political theory behind writing a declaration of independence … The book analyzes early drafts of the Israel's Declaration that were ultimately not adopted, comparing them to David Ben-Gurion's final draft.' Martin Lockshin, Jerusalem Post '[a] pioneering study … As I write, the war that Hamas brought on is far from over and no one can know its scope or repercussions. But when it ends … the questions of democratic power and legal theory that the constitutional crisis of 2023 brought to the surface will still be unresolved. Those who wish to think them through will do well to turn for guidance to Rogachevsky and Zigler.' Michael S. Kochin, Claremont Review of Books '… a well-researched manuscript that describes the political and international environment, as well as some of the main figures that had an impact during the era of the birth of the Jewish state. … I recommend adopting this study in courses on Israeli politics or the political history of the Jewish state. The broad scope of the book, and especially the exploration of the central role of the Jewish dimension, merits its adoption in Jewish studies courses.' Shmuel Sandler, Contemporary Jewry '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