Modern Israel is a state built on deep historical, religious, and ideological foundations, yet it exists within a web of contradictions. It defines itself as both a Jewish and democratic state—a balance that continues to generate internal tension, especially in relation to the rights of its Arab minority, secular-religious divides, and contested definitions of citizenship and identity.
Externally, Israel presents itself as a liberal democracy and a start-up nation, while maintaining a long-term military occupation in the Palestinian territories, raising international concerns about human rights, apartheid allegations, and the viability of a two-state solution.
The country also faces growing divisions within its own society: between left and right, secular and ultra-Orthodox, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi, and between advocates for peace and hardliners. All these contradictions shape Israel’s domestic policies, regional relations, and its role in the international system.
This project invites a critical exploration of Israel’s internal and external paradoxes-examining how they affect its democratic character, security strategies, and global legitimacy.
