From the first moment of its existence, the geostrategic positioning of the State of Israel has transformed it into a nodal point of world politics. Therefore, Israeli Studies, of which this volume presents an excellent sample, are not only a particular and promising field of comparative politics, but also a mandatory exercise for understanding the contemporary world. And in this sense, the centers for Israeli Studies, such as the “Theodor Herzl” Center for Israeli Studies, play a fundamental role in the training of researchers and the development of a structured and applied academic approach to problems whose impressionistic analysis has often led to amateur approaches or the justification of erroneous public policies. – CRISTIAN PÎRVULESCU, Faculty of Political Science, SNSPA

As this volume shows clearly, the “Theodor Herzl” Center for Israeli Studies has become since its inception a significant center in the growinglandscape of Israeli studies in Europe and elsewhere. Enjoying the full support of the SNSPA and under a dynamic leadership, the Center has built up a large community of students, public personalities, members of the public. Its seminars, conferences, summer schools and other related activities have attracted the best participants from Romania, Israel and other countries, along with wide interest among the students and members of the public.The multidisciplinary and the objective, academic treatment of the issues presented, also in this volume, serve as a testimony to the well-deserved leading place of the Center in Israeli studies. We can look forward with optimism towards the next years of fruitful activities. – RAPHAEL VAGO, Tel-Aviv University
 

Challenges of Modern Israel. Socio-Political Reality: Academic Perspectives