American Presidents, Religion, and Israel

Book flyer
MS Word
International
MS Word

American Presidents, Religion, and Israel The Heirs of Cyrus

Paul Charles Merkley

Book Code: C8340

ISBN: 0-275-98340-4

ISBN-13: 978-0-275-98340-6

DOI:

296 pages, n/a

Praeger Publishers

Publication: 7/30/2004

List Price: $55.00 (UK Sterling Price: £31.95)

Availability: In Stock

Media Type: Hardcover

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

Reviews:

General collections; faculty.
—Choice April 2005
Professor Merkley's book is both timely and informative....Professor Merkeley's book is an important contribution to the study of the special ties that have existed between Israel and this country, the phenomenon of Christian Zionism and the so-called religious right in the U.S. political and diplomatic arenas.
—Jewish Book World Spring 2005

Description: Shortly after the end of the Second World War, President Harry S Truman declared his support for the creation and maintenance of the modern state of Israel, basing that support on religious and theological grounds. This is the first book to explore the connection between the religious backgrounds and beliefs of U.S. presidents in relation to their policies toward Israel. From Truman to Ford, U.S. presidents relied, in part, on their religious and moral commitments to support their policies and views toward Israel. Beginning with Carter, however, presidents have abandoned the role of champions of Israel to become champion of the "Peace Process," stressing peace and a secular approach that rises above the religious and theological fray. And yet, even in the context of this attempted fair-mindedness, U.S. presidents reveal their personal religious and moral beliefs in their responses to the issue of Israel. Today, George W. Bush, one of the most vocally religious presidents, seems poised to take up the tradition once again of relying on his religious convictions to justify his positions toward the Arab-Israeli conflict. Here, Merkley argues that while faith alone does not determine action, or that it even has a controlling influence, religious belief does play a role in the policies that U.S. presidents, and the nation, adopt toward Israel. When Truman declared, "I am Cyrus," he was emphatically grounding his support of the modern state of Israel in his belief in the Bible. Referring to the Persian king who allowed the Jews to return to Israel, and to build the Second Temple, Truman revealed his religious commitments and supported his policies on biblical grounds. Bringing to the fore neglected evidence of the role of religious belief in policies toward Israel, Merkley explores an overlooked aspect of presidential decision-making, suggesting that religion, while not the only factor, is at least among the influences that determine a president's view of the Arab-Israeli conflict. From Truman to Ford, policies often reflected the Evangelical traditions that dictated unyielding support of Israel, but with Carter's commitment to the peace process above all else, the trend turned toward moral absolutes and more general religious beliefs that could sustain arguments for a negotiated peace. George W. Bush, thus far, however, has clearly demonstrated his personal religious beliefs and may, in the end, reclaim the mantle of Cyrus.

Table of Contents:

Introduction
The Champion of Israel
In Pursuit of "Even-Handedness"
The Camp David Process
Living with the Legacy of Camp David
The Worldwide War on Terrorism
Retrospect and Conclusions
Bibliography
Index

LC Card Number: 2004048060

LCC Class: E183

Dewey Class: 327


All rights reserved. Copyright © 1999-2009 Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. 88 Post Road West, Westport CT 06881, (203) 226-3571