Investigates the Biblical justification for Zionism and charts the
historical rise of Zionism since its 19th century roots. Providing a
contribution to the argument for a single democratic and secular Israeli state,
this book shows how the biblical language of 'chosen people' and 'promised
land' is used to justify ethnic division and violence.Does the Bible justify Zionism? Since the foundation of the Israeli state
in 1948, Torah and tank have become increasingly inseparable, resulting in the
forced expulsion and subjugation of millions of indigenous Palestinians. Nur
Masalha's groundbreaking new book traces Zionism's evolution from a secular
settler movement in the late 19th century, to the messianic faith it has become
today. He shows how the biblical language of 'chosen people' and 'promised
land' has been used by many Christian and Jewish Zionists as the 'title deeds'
for Israel, justifying ethnic division and violence. With Edward Said, Masalha
argues that a new politics of peace can only be achieved through a single,
democratic state, which replaces religious zealotry with secular equality.
