Post-Post-Zionist Historiography

Abstract

In 1980s and 1990s, a group of historians and sociologists revolutionized study of Israeli history. These scholars, often called collectively Post-Zionists, sought to undermine the founding myths of Israel. The Post-Zionist paradigm has made important and lasting contributions to understanding of Israeli history, but no historiographical trend is permanent. In last decade, a new generation of scholars, sometimes called the third wave in Israeli historiography, or the Post-Post-Zionists, has produced works that differ in many respects from those of previous generation. This generation studies new subjects, utilizes new types of sources and new writing styles, asks new questions about Israeli society, and its attitude to Zionism is often more empathic than that of previous generation. The article analyzes some aspects of new paradigm, which can be seen as a local, Israeli, manifestation of a more general approach—the new cultural history—that appeared outside Israel in 1970s.