Manifestations of hatred of Jews and Israel have risen over the last few decades in the Arab and Muslim world. This hatred is demonstrated in many ways -- from propaganda to terrorism. But is such hatred the result of Islamic anti-Semitism, as widely claimed? Or does it have other roots and reasons? This book sets the record straight by explaining that while anti-Semitism is the credo of fanatic groups and regimes, such an attitude is not representative of traditional and contemporary Islam. For centuries Muslim attitudes to Jews were ambivalent: contempt and antagonism alongside tolerance and co-operation. In fact Jews under Islam were better off than their Christian neighbours, and much better off than their Jewish brethren under Christianity. A similar pattern of relations has developed over the last several decades between Muslim nations and the Jewish state of Israel: hostility and violence, mostly by Muslim Arabs, but also dialogue and co-operation by and with many other Muslims. These complex relations are discussed here by Muslim and Jewish scholars -- from Azerbaijan, Egypt, India, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, the USA, Palestine and Turkey -- who analyse the religious, cultural, political and economic factors that have shaped Muslim attitudes to Jews and Israel. Ideas and suggestions are put forward to improve Muslim-Jewish relations -- the theme of which was first conceived at an international conference organised by the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, and the Divinity School, Harvard University.

About the Author
Moshe Maoz, Prof. Emeritus, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has been a Visiting Fellow at many universities and research centres, including Harvard, Oxford, Columbia, NYU, and Beijing. He is the author of 20 books and 80 academic articles on the history and politics of Islam, Muslim-Jewish and Arab-Israeli relations. He served as advisor to Israeli PMs and Defense Ministers, and to the IDF Coordinator in the Territories, at the rank of Full Colonel.


Book Information
ISBN 9781845193225
Author Moshe Ma'oz
Format Hardback
Page Count 326
Imprint Liverpool University Press
Publisher Liverpool University Press
Weight(grams) 740g