No Alternative to War? Militarism and Militarization in Israel

Israeli society is a war society. It is accustomed to seeing military solutions as unavoidable, as a fundamental condition for the existence of the state and its security. With every war and each generation, militaristic thinking deepens, forming the basis for the willingness to engage in further wars and for the dehumanization of Palestinians. What are the foundations for the longevity of militaristic thinking in society? What are its consequences? How does militarism affect different segments and groups within Israeli society?

The Israel office of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung has addressed these and other questions in a new reader. This work seeks to explore both the origins and forms of the militaristic discourse in Israel as well as its societal function. It gives voice to progressive Israeli perspectives, which, based on their analysis of Israeli militarism in its various manifestations, also offer alternatives to the current untenable status quo. In this panel discussion, we aim to introduce and discuss the key points of the reader, while also connecting these insights to the experiences of people in Israel from different perspectives.

Panelists:

• Rela Mazali, peace activist and researcher, e.g. for "New Profile," and contributor to the reader
• Tali Konas, co-editor of the reader and content editor for the Israel Office of Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung (www.rosalux.org.il)
• Donia Abbas, project manager at the Israel office of Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung in Tel Aviv

Chair:

• Gil Shohat, Director of the Israel-Office of Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung in Tel Aviv

Event location

Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung

Straße der Pariser Kommune 8A

10243 Berlin

For Registration