The Israeli Right:
From Jabotinsky to Netanyahu
The Israeli right’s hold on political power since 1977 is nothing short of astounding. Its leaders have shaped government policy while its activists have driven Israeli history. What are the major ideas that animate this political movement? In this seminar course, we will examine the origins of the Israeli political right, beginning with the life and ideas of Vladimir (Ze’ev) Jabotinsky, the founder of so-called Revisionist Zionism. We will explore the activities of the major right-wing groups active before Israel’s founding: Betar, Lehi (the Stern Gang), and the Brit ha-Biryonim. This investigation of the origins of the Israeli right will serve as the basis of discussions about the governments of Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Shamir, Ariel Sharon, and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Dr. Brian Horowitz
Tulane University
Brian Horowitz holds the Sizeler Family Chair in Jewish Studies at Tulane University. He grew up in Roslyn, NY and attended New York University (B.A.) and University of California, Berkeley (M. A., PhD). He is the recipient of many awards including Yad Hanadiv, Lady Davis, Alexander Von Humboldt, and Fulbright. He is the author of six books that include, Vladimir Jabotinsky’s Russian Years (2020); Russian Idea-Jewish Presence (2013); Empire Jews (2009) and Jewish Philanthropy and Enlightenment in Late-Tsarist Russia (2009). He has published in popular newspapers, such as the Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Mosaic, and Jewish Review of Books. He is presently working on a book on right-wing Zionists in the Mandate period.
Meet the Instructor
Courses in our special learning campaign are open to anyone in the community who registers at no cost. The Q&A will be reserved for current high-school students.
