The following is a video of a lecture presentation at Michigan State University sponsored by the Jewish Studies Program at MSU.
Wednesday, January 20, 7:00 pm
James Madison Library, 322 South Case Hall
Lecture
“New War Rationale, Old War Expectations: Israeli Society’s Understanding of Recent Wars”
Yuval Benziman, Israel Institute and Serling Visiting Israeli Scholar at MSU
Israel’s ongoing wars with Hamas and Hezbollah have characteristics significantly different from the wars in Israel’s first three decades. Israeli society is well aware of these new characteristics, which include the understanding that a clear victory is not possible, that cycles of violence will continue, and that wars do not have clear starting and ending points. Yet Israeli society, while rationally understanding this, still looks for victories, big “wins,” and clear “rules.” These contradictions between Israeli society’s understanding and their wishes lead to ongoing frustration with the leadership, a decrease in the cultural centrality of the Israeli Defense Force, and more.
Co-sponsored by the Asian Studies Center and James Madison College.
