In 2021 Fathom will publish a set of articles about the UK-Israel relationship, to be collected into an eBook, and perhaps a print edition later in the year.
We want to cover all dimensions of the contemporary relationship: diplomatic, military, security, economic (including the post-Brexit trade relationship), tech, cyber, and cultural, as well as Israel-UK diaspora relations.
We are interested in articles of 3000-5000 words addressed to:
- Histories: the historical evolution of the UK-Israel relationship, studies of key political moments and the individuals who have shaped the relationship.
- Economics and Trade: what are the opportunities today for both countries and how should they be seized? How will Brexit impact on the relationship?
- Peace: what role can the UK play now it is outside the EU?
- Diasporas: analyses of the changing dynamics of Israel-UK diaspora relations and the main points of cooperation and conflict today.
- Military and Security: what is the state of relations between the Israeli and British armed forces and security services, what potential is there for deepening collaboration, and how can those opportunities be seized?
- Culture: explorations of the burgeoning cultural interchanges, and the books, paintings, films, plays, and TV that are flowing between the two countries.
- Divisions: both societies are wrestling with deep divisions based on politics, culture, and ethnic, religious or national identities. There is much talk of the surge of ‘populism’ reshaping political cleavages and policies. We are interested in comparative analyses of this so-called ‘populist moment’.
- Futures: informed and evidence-based analyses of where the UK-Israel relationship is going, and where it should be going.
- Stories: alongside the above, we invite submissions about the human side of the relationship: the manifold personal relationships, the profound meaning of Israel to the UK ‘s Jewish and Palestinian Arab communities, the profound meaning of the old home to those Jews who have made aliyah, the benefits to both countries of the hybrid identities developed by so many Brits and Israelis, the sheer range of links that are enriching both societies.
At the time of the publication of the eBook we will organise an event – hopefully, by then, not only on Zoom – to bring together authors, politicians, civil servants, academics, journalists, civil society leaders and think tankers from both countries to discuss the issues raised by the book.
Please consider contributing to the eBook. First step: please send me a short note (no more than 200 words) setting out what you would like to write about.
Thanks.
Professor Alan Johnson, for the Fathom editors
