Israel Prize - The Israel Democracy Institute

May 2009

Special Edition: IDI in the News

Dear friends,

As the excitement of the past few weeks infuses our work with increasing enthusiasm and commitment, we wanted to take the opportunity to share with you a few items of interest from the English language press. The following items highlight IDI Fellows and projects and provide a window into the Institute that we hope you find interesting and timely.

As ever, we remain humbled by the great honor bestowed upon us by the 2009 Israel Prize Committee and ever grateful to you, our friends and supporters, for your dedication to the work and vision of IDI.

J-Post Interview with IDI President Dr. Arye Carmon

The international press joined IDI in celebrating its receipt of the 2009 Israel Prize for Life Achievement on Israeli Independence Day, April 29th. Following this great honor, the Jerusalem Post conducted a feature interview with IDI President, Dr. Arye Carmon, to further explore the programs and accomplishments of the Institute, as well as the guiding principles and policy perspectives of its founder.

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IDI VP Appointed to Blue Ribbon State Commission
Prof. Yedidia Stern, Vice President for Research on the Jewish State, was a appointed to the prestigious three member State Commission of Inquiry into the Handling by the Authorized Authorities of the Evacuees from Gush Katif and Northern Samaria (Gaza)

Scholarly Responses

An IDI answer to questions regarding the Institute's place on the 'right'/'left' continuum
An op-ed by Prof. Yedidia Stern, Vice President of IDI Research on the Jewish State, clarifies IDI's location within the Israeli political spectrum. Despite consistent attacks from the far 'right' and the far 'left', IDI remains unwavering in its commitment to the successful synthesis of Israel's Jewish and a democratic identities. Full Text
'The Jewish People Deniers' - IDI's Anita Shapira defends the fundamental tenants of Jewish peoplehood
IDI Senior Fellow, Prof. Anita Shapira, reviews the controversial text, When and How was the Jewish People Invented? for The Journal of Israeli History. Prof. Shapira argues that the claims aired against the traditional Jewish narrative by the author, Prof. Shlomo Sand of Tel Aviv University, are based upon "the most esoteric and controversial interpretations." Full Text

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