Governing Israel

"Sharkansky discusses three central issues in Israeli public affairs: religion, national security, and social policy. He describes how policymakers relate to these issues and themes. Major problems may not be solved, but they are managed in a way that is tolerable. It is in this trait that Israel resembles other Western democracies. In sum, biblical themes affect Israel's political rhetoric more than they affect the way officials actually work out their problems. Pragmatic coping with worldly realities generally overcomes emotional expressions that convey ingredients of spirituality."--BOOK JACKET.