IDI in the News - The Israel Democracy Institute

May 2009

Special Edition: IDI in the News

Dear Friend,

The award of the Israel Prize to IDI has thrust the Institute into the headlines in recent weeks. The tremendous credibility IDI has acquired among decision makers, opinion shapers and the public at large is well reflected in the abundance of congratulatory mail we have received. While the award did not come without controversy, we are heartened by the fact that most of our detractors come from the political fringes—both Left and Right. For us, this is an affirmation that we are exactly where we intend to be: in the middle. We remain staunchly non-partisan and committed to the idea that broad consensus is essential for progress in a divided society such as Israel's.

We would like to share with you some recent coverage of IDI Fellows in the English media. Below you will find an interview with IDI President Dr. Arye Carmon in the Jerusalem Post, an editorial by IDI Vice President Prof. Yedidia Stern, also in the Jerusalem Post, and an article by IDI Senior Fellow Prof. Anita Shapira in the Journal of Israeli History.

We would also like to take this opportunity to extend congratulations to IDI Vice President Prof. Yedidia Stern, who has been selected by the President of the Israeli Supreme Court to serve on a State Commission of Inquiry into the handling of the settlers uprooted from Gaza and Northern Samaria. This appointment reflects the widespread recognition of the excellence and integrity that characterize Prof. Stern's work.

Warm regards from Jerusalem,

Barak Cohen
Director, International Communications

Jerusalem Post interviews IDI President Dr. Arye Carmon

Israel Democracy Institute Prize Carmon Jerusalem Post

The international press joined in celebrating IDI's receipt of the 2009 Israel Prize for Life Achievement. Jerusalem Post columnist Ruthie Blum Leibowitz conducted a feature interview with Dr. Arye Carmon about the accomplishments of the Institute and the challenges ahead. Click here for the full text.

The Jewish Case for the Israel Democracy Institute

Israel Democracy Institute Religion State Jewish

In a sharply worded essay published by the Jerusalem Post, IDI Vice President Prof. Yedidia Stern responds to critics of the Institute's position on nation, religion and state. Despite attacks from both extremes of the political spectrum, Prof. Stern argues, IDI remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening Israel's Jewish and democratic qualities. Click here for the full text.

IDI Vice President Yedidia Stern Appointed to Blue Ribbon Commission of Inquiry Prof. Yedidia Stern, Vice President for Research on the Jewish State at IDI, was recently appointed to the State Commission of Inquiry into the Handling by the Authorized Authorities of the Evacuees from Gush Katif and Northern Samaria, headed by Justice Eliahu Matza. The Commission was established by the State Control Committee of the Knesset in order to investigate the treatment of the evacuees in the aftermath of the disengagement from Gaza and Northern Samaria in August 2005.		'The Jewish People Deniers' – IDI Senior Fellow Anita Shapira takes on a prominent skeptic of Jewish peoplehood In a recent essay published in the Journal of Israeli History, IDI Senior Fellow and Israel Prize Laureate Prof. Anita Shapira takes issue with the thesis and methodology underlying the bestselling book When and How was the Jewish People Invented? by Tel Aviv University Prof. Shlomo Sand. Prof. Shapira argues that Judaism's distinctive link between religion and nationality is a fact that cannot be written out of history. Click here for the full text.

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