ISMI

Institute for the Study of Modern Israel
of Emory University

1256 Briarcliff Road A-427N Atlanta, GA 30306    404.727.2798 tel    404.727.2441 fax

Useful Websites

 

ISMI’s Suggested Websites for the Study of Modern Israel

Many illustrative maps. Check dates.

    • Teaching Tools
      • MENIC: The Middle East Network Information Center: A public service of  The Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin: www.menic.utexas.edu/menic/

Loads of teacher resources and community outreach curricula.

This site has resources for researchers and teachers in all fields, interested in the Middle East and North Africa.

A searchable database with exhaustive sections on: History, women, Israeli politics, religion, biographies, maps, statistics etc.

Includes several creative lesson plans on the Middle East.

Primary Resources Galore! (Not exclusively pertaining to the Middle East).

This listing was compiled with the permission of MERIA (Middle East Review of International Affairs).

 MERIA has been in existence since January 1997. All previous issues of MERIA may be found on its home page. Its purpose is to advance research on the Middle East and foster scholarly communication and cooperation. MERIA produces two complimentary yet distinct elements; its News serves to provide an academic forum for the exchange of information and its articles are superb in-depth analyses of particular issues that relate to more than just Israel, but the entire Middle East. The articles on the Arab World, Israel, and the Middle East are generally of the highest scholarly standards and should be considered among the best available in the English language.

A public educational foundation dedicated to scholarly research and informed debate on US interests in the Middle East. Under the guidance of a distinguished and bipartisan Board of Advisors, the Institute seeks to bring scholarship to bear on the making of U.S. policy in this vital region of the world. Drawing on the research of its scholars and the experience of policy practitioners, the Institute promotes an American engagement in the Middle East committed to strengthening alliances, nurturing friendships, and promoting security, peace, prosperity, and democracy for the people of the region.

    • The Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies of Tel Aviv University: www.dayan.org

The Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies seeks to contribute to the study and understanding of the modern history and current affairs of the Middle East and Africa.

    Washington base, the independent think tank publishes cutting analyses on all international topics, with frequent pieces related to political reform in the Middle East, Islam in politics, and other policy related issues connected to the Middle East. Its home page is particularly user-friendly. Monthly contributions from its "Arab Reform Bulletin" are particularly worthwhile.

                The Brookings Institution: http://www.brook.edu

    Washington based think provides insightful analyses on domestic and foreign policy issues. The Saban Center located at Brookings has four or five resident specialists who turn out excellent and thoughtful reviews of contemporary issues, including the Middle East. There is a link on their website's home-page for access to the American Enterprise Institute. Articles can be accessed via topic or world area of interest.

                 Stiftung for Wissenschaft und Politik, Berlin
    http://www.swp-berlin.org/en/forschungsgruppen.php?id=78&PHPSESSID=&active=naher+osten+und+afrika

    The Research Unit Middle East and Africa focuses both on the Middle East and North Africa and on sub-Saharan Africa.  The main issues affecting these regions for which pieces are written  include political system change, conflict management, the creation of regional  structures, and external relations. German and European policies vis--vis these regions constitute another area of interest. Islam and development
    policies have to be considered issues of particular concern to German and European policy-makers interested in African and Middle Eastern matters. One subject of major interest has been the Elite Change in the Arab World. Not all published pieces are translated, but a significant number are available and worth reading.

                 The Association for Israel Studies: www.AISIsraelStudies.org

The Association for Israel Studies is an international scholarly society devoted to the academic and professional study of Israel. The Association's membership is composed of scholars from all disciplines in the social sciences and many in the humanities.

The purpose of the Jaffee Center is, first, to conduct basic research that meets the highest academic standards on matters related to Israel's national security as well as Middle East regional and international security affairs. The Center also aims to contribute to the public debate and governmental deliberation of issues that are – or should be – at the top of Israel's national security agenda. The Jaffee Center seeks to address the strategic community in Israel and abroad, Israeli policymakers and opinion-makers and the general public. The Center relates to the concept of strategy in its broadest meaning, namely the complex of processes involved in the identification, mobilization and application of resources in peace and war, in order to solidify and strengthen national and international security.

An independent institute for policy research, established in 1976, the Jerusalem Center is headed by Israel’s former UN ambassador Dr. Dore Gold.

The Israel Democracy Institute is an independent non-partisan research institute. It was founded in 1991 as a center for policy studies, straddling the spheres of politics and academia, the world of decision-makers and the world of thinkers in Israel. The Institute serves as an address for politicians and government officials who are searching for independent, professional partners to examine various ideas and propose practical ways to implement them. The Institute is careful to maintain its independent, non-partisan status, and for this reason enjoys the trust and esteem of all sides of the political spectrum in Israel.

The Chaim Herzog Center for Middle East Studies and Diplomacy is devoted to studies of the history, societies and cultures of the Middle East. Created in the era of peace, the center reflects Israel's emergence as an integral part of the region.

The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute is a leading intellectual center for the interdisciplinary study and discussion of issues related to philosophy, society, culture and education. The Institute gives expression to the wide range of opinions in Israel, and takes particular pride in its role as an incubator and creative home for many of the most important civil society efforts to enhance and deepen Israeli democracy.

  • Media
    • Daily Israeli Newspapers on the Web
      • Jerusalem Post: www.jpost.com
      • Haaretz: www.haaretzdaily.com
      • Maariv (in Hebrew only): www.nrg.co.il/online/HP_0.html
      • Ynetnews:www.ynetnews.com (Ynetnews is the English-language website from Yedioth Group, and a sister site to Ynet , Israel’s leading news web site. Ynetnews provides Jewish communities and others worldwide interested in Israel with the same authoritative, fast, and world-class news reporting and commentary Hebrew-speakers receive from Ynet and “Yedioth Ahronoth,” Israel’s most-read newspaper.
      • Yediot Aharonot (in Hebrew only): www.ynet.co.il/home/0,7340,L-8,00.html
    • CAMERA: Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America: www.camera.org
    • BBC: British Broadcasting Corporation (www.bbc.co.uk) has  a link for Middle East headlines: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/default.stm
    • Israel Radio News on the Web

      • Israel’s Government Sites

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has a lot of valuable information and also serves as a portal to other websites. It details the ministry, foreign relations, government, Jerusalem, treaties, peace processes, terrorism, anti-Semitism/Holocaust and international development.  There are also sections titled History of Israel (with official maps) and Facts about Israel.

A thorough website for both those familiar, and not-yet-familiar, with the Israeli Parliament system.

An extensive, well designed website of the IDF

This site introduces Israel's positions on important U.N. related issues, and offers a full range of information about Israel's activities in the United Nations, its different bodies and agencies.

Information about the Prime Minister, his office and advisers, Cabinet Ministers and past Prime Ministers.

List includes links to: Government ministries, other government sites including local governments and kibbutzim websites. Also: Archeology in Israel, Culture, and the Arts, Economic and Business, Education, Health and Medicine, Aliyah information, Youth and Student organizations, New and Media, Elections and Politics, Public Organizations, Tourism, 100 years of Zionism, and Sports.

Very extensive website detailing Israel’s many political parties.

This site has a detailed and clear explanation of the Israeli political system and elections.

This site details negotiations by country and has useful diagrams.

ICT is a research institute and think tank dedicated to developing innovative public policy solutions to international terrorism. The Policy Institute applies an integrated, solutions-oriented approach built on a foundation of real world and practical experience.

A Seven-Part Series Tracing the Israeli-Palestinian dispute via maps, timelines, biographies, etc.

Bat Shalom is an Israeli national feminist grassroots organization of Jewish and Palestinian Israeli women working together for a genuine peace grounded in a just resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict, respect for human rights, and an equal voice for Jewish and Arab women within Israeli society.

Collection of memorandums and documents.

    • Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information: www.ipcri.org

IPCRI is a joint institution of Israelis and Palestinians dedicated to the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of “two-states for two people” solution.

  • Other Important Websites

The American Jewish Committee works to promote pluralistic and democratic societies where all minorities are protected. In addition to its New York headquarters and Office of Government & International Affairs in Washington, AJC operates 33 U.S. offices and 18 international posts. They are an international think tank and advocacy organization that attempts to identify trends and problems early - and take action. Their key areas of focus are combating anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry; Promoting pluralism and shared civic values; Protecting human rights and combating abuses; Asserting Israel's right to exist in peace and security with its neighbors; Safeguarding and strengthening Jewish life.

ADL fights hatred, extremism and terrorism. Their goal: to make the world a safer place. Over the past few years, they have expanded their expertise and capabilities to confront a more dangerous world. Their three priorities are to: Gather, analyze and disseminate intelligence on extremism and hate activity; Enhance law enforcement’s ability to combat serious threats; Provide assistance, support and resources on security to the Jewish community.

The Jewish National Fund is the caretaker of the land of Israel, on behalf of its owners - Jewish people everywhere.

    The Shalem Center: www.shalemcenter.org.il

    Founded in 1994 by scholars and public figures from Israel and the Diaspora, the Shalem Center is a Jerusalem-based research and educational institute dedicated to developing and transmitting ideas in the areas most crucial to the intellectual and public life of the Jewish people.  In carrying out its mission, the Center engages in research, education, and publications in areas that include Jewish moral and political thought,  Zionist history and ideas, Biblical archaeology, democratic theory and practice, strategic studies, and economic and social policy.

     

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer women's organization, whose members are motivated and inspired to strengthen their partnership with Israel, ensure Jewish continuity, and realize their potential as a dynamic force in American society.