Press and Mass Communication in the Middle East. Festschrift for Martin Strohmeier

This book is a Festschrift for Professor Martin Strohmeier. It consists of various articles in German and English language on press and mass communication in the Eastern mediterranean region

VIOLENCE ON INTER-RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND IN THREE ISRAELI CITIES: SAFED, NAZARETH, AND BEIT SHEMESH

This article focuses on three case studies representing highlights of tensions concerning the religious background. We examine the deep cultural roots of religious intolerance and some of the triggers for the recent outbreak of the following disputes in Israel: Safed – The call by rabbis to Jews not to rent or sell apartments to Arabs; Beit Shemesh – The intimidation of Ultraorthodox against non-Haredi and secular Jews, particularly targeting women and children; and Nazareth – The growing control of the Islamic Movement at the Shihab al-Din Tomb in front of the Church of Annunciation. All three case studies manifest an immediate trigger and religious discourse for justifying violence but we found that they cover deeper social processes. Violence emerged from the same roots of cultural exclusivity though refracted through different cultural lenses. The crises discussed reflect on the one hand the growing need of identity-groups to solidify their group-solidarity in times of crisis. While on the other hand they manifest the need of conservative groups to counter modernity

Holy Places in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Confrontation and Co-existence

This book addresses the major generators of conflict and toleration at shared holy places in Palestine and Israel. Examining the religious, political and legal issues, the authors show how the holy sites have been a focus of both conflict and cooperation between different communities. Bringing together the views of a diverse group of experts on the region, Holy Places in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict provides a new and multifaceted approach to holy places, giving an in-depth analysis of relevant issues. Themes covered include legal regulation of holy places; nationalization and reproduction of holy space; sharing and contesting holy places; identity politics; and popular legends of holy sites. Chapters cover in detail how recognition and authorization of a new site come about; the influence of religious belief versus political ideology on the designation of holy places; the centrality of such areas to the surrounding political developments; and how historical background and culture affect the perception of a holy site and relations between conflicting groups. This new approach to the study of holy places and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has great significance for a variety of disciplines, and will be of great interest in the fields of law, politics, religious studies, anthropology and sociology.https://scholarship.law.edu/fac_books/1002/thumbnail.jp

Holy Places in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Confrontation and Co-existence

This book addresses the major generators of conflict and toleration at shared holy places in Palestine and Israel. Examining the religious, political and legal issues, the authors show how the holy sites have been a focus of both conflict and cooperation between different communities. Bringing together the views of a diverse group of experts on the region, Holy Places in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict provides a new and multifaceted approach to holy places, giving an in-depth analysis of relevant issues. Themes covered include legal regulation of holy places; nationalization and reproduction of holy space; sharing and contesting holy places; identity politics; and popular legends of holy sites. Chapters cover in detail how recognition and authorization of a new site come about; the influence of religious belief versus political ideology on the designation of holy places; the centrality of such areas to the surrounding political developments; and how historical background and culture affect the perception of a holy site and relations between conflicting groups. This new approach to the study of holy places and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has great significance for a variety of disciplines, and will be of great interest in the fields of law, politics, religious studies, anthropology and sociology.https://scholarship.law.edu/fac_books/1002/thumbnail.jp

Sacred Space in Israel and Palestine: Religion and Politics

Religion and religious nationalism have long played a central role in many ethnic and national conflicts, and the importance of religion to national identity means that territorial disputes can often focus on the contestation of holy places and sacred territory. Looking at the case of Israel and Palestine, this book highlights the nexus between religion and politics through the process of classifying holy places, giving them meaning and interpreting their standing in religious and civil law, within governmental policy, and within international and local communities. Written by a team of renowned scholars from within and outside the region, this book follows on from Holy Places in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Confrontation and Co-existence to provide an insightful look into the politics of religion and space. Examining Jerusalem’s holy basin from a variety of perspectives and disciplines, it provides unique insights into the way Jewish, Christian and Muslim authorities, scholars and jurists regard sacred space and the processes, grass roots and official, by which spaces become holy in the eyes of particular communities. Filling an important gap in the literature on Middle East peacemaking, the book will be of interest to scholars and students of the Middle East conflict, conflict resolution, political science, urban studies and history of religion.https://scholarship.law.edu/fac_books/1001/thumbnail.jp

Sacred Space in Israel and Palestine: Religion and Politics

Religion and religious nationalism have long played a central role in many ethnic and national conflicts, and the importance of religion to national identity means that territorial disputes can often focus on the contestation of holy places and sacred territory. Looking at the case of Israel and Palestine, this book highlights the nexus between religion and politics through the process of classifying holy places, giving them meaning and interpreting their standing in religious and civil law, within governmental policy, and within international and local communities. Written by a team of renowned scholars from within and outside the region, this book follows on from Holy Places in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Confrontation and Co-existence to provide an insightful look into the politics of religion and space. Examining Jerusalem’s holy basin from a variety of perspectives and disciplines, it provides unique insights into the way Jewish, Christian and Muslim authorities, scholars and jurists regard sacred space and the processes, grass roots and official, by which spaces become holy in the eyes of particular communities. Filling an important gap in the literature on Middle East peacemaking, the book will be of interest to scholars and students of the Middle East conflict, conflict resolution, political science, urban studies and history of religion.https://scholarship.law.edu/fac_books/1001/thumbnail.jp