Judaism and Israeli Identity

Judaism is fundamental to Israel’s self-conception, but Israelis disagree about whether this is a religious, ethnic, or cultural claim. This book analyzes the implications of religious nationalist sentiment for public support in domains like democracy, war, and social policy. A large segment of the Israeli population subscribes to the Jewish nationalist ideology. Jewish nationalists are more conservative, seek Jewish-homogeneous social groups, and pursue more aggressive foreign policies. In the face of a sizable secular and non-Jewish population, Jewish nationalism thus threatens democratization and stability in Israel.

About the Book

A Jewish State? offers a rare combination of theoretical sophistication and methodological depth. With clarity and rigor, Ridge fills a long-standing gap in scholarship, demonstrating how Jewish nationalism shapes Israel’s identity, democracy, and global role. This book reframes urgent debates with precision and lasting significance.

Endorsements

--Andrew Ward, Tulane University

“The book is timely given the ongoing war in Gaza and aggressions in the West Bank. Ridge’s thorough analysis perceptively demonstrates how Jewish nationalism drives Israeli settlement and war policies.”

--Peter O’brien, author of The Muslim Question in Europe: Political Controversies and Public Philosophies.