Obligation in Exile

This book offers a radical reframing of the idea of political obligation that uses the Jewish diaspora as its case study. Combining political theory and sociological interviews spanning four countries, Ilan Zvi Baron explores the Jewish Diaspora/Israel relationship and suggests that instead of looking at Diaspora Jews' relationship with Israel being a matter of loyalty, it is one of obligation. Baron develops an outline for a theory of transnational political obligation and, in the process, provides an alternative way to understand and explore the Diaspora/Israel relationship than one mired in partisan debates about whether or not being a good Jew means supporting Israel. He concludes by arguing that critique of Israel is not just about Israeli policy, but about what it means to be a Diaspora Jew. It establishes a theoretical framework for the analysis of diaspora politics. It looks at the Jewish diaspora and the Israel relationship as an example of international political obligation.