Israel, Zionism, and the Weight of History

Many arguments about Israel rest on three contested claims: that Jews lack a historical connection to the land, that Israel is not a liberal democracy, and that anti-Zionism can be separated from antisemitism. Strauss tests each claim against the historical record, beginning with Jewish life and sovereignty in the region from antiquity to the rise of modern Zionism. This broader history draws a crucial distinction between criticizing Israel’s government and denying the legitimacy of Israel itself.