Anthropologists and other social scientists consider Israel critically in terms not only of its difficulties and inequities, but also of some of its prevalent beliefs and some of the consequences of its existence for the Middle East as a whole. Among their topics are the rhetoric of the destruction of the Israeli welfare state, suicide terrorism and America's mission impossible, and the lifeline of Bedouins as roving traders in south Sinai. An interview with Rosenfeld is included. There is no index. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Social Critique and Commitment: Essays in Honor of Henry Rosenfeld is a compilation of primarily original essays that deal with Israel from a critical position. The essays touch upon central concerns such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, Arabs in Israel, the economy, and social policy. The essays highlight the conflicted nature of Israeli society and emphasize that what is occurring on this small canvas has ramifications going beyond the particular and specific, bearing regional and indeed world-wide implication.
