JS 135 - Israeli Foreign Policy: History, Politics, and Culture

Course Cross-listed with HIS 135 and IS 135
3 credit(s)
This course examines Israel’s evolving foreign relations agenda, especially considering the recent opening of relations with several Middle Eastern countries. Students in the course will examine Israel’s founding through the lens of international relations. They will study how individuals and Jewish organizations across the globe, despite competing interests and ideologies, sought to obtain international support for a Jewish state. Students will also examine how objections to Israel’s establishment influenced its foreign policy approach. The course will then turn to the evolving relationship between Israel and the United States, before examining realignments Israel has established with countries including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, India, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Argentina, among other countries. The course will conclude with an examination of current events, including Israeli foreign policy directives related to the most recent Israel-Gaza War.

Click here for Fall 2025 course scheduling information.

Click here for Spring 2026 course scheduling information.