The Islamic World – Culture, Politics and Terrorism

The rise of global Islamic terrorism, culminating with the 9/11 attacks, brought humanity face to face with what is referred to as "the clash of civilizations" between the Christian-liberal West and radical Islam. The State of Israel, a Western and democratic county, is surrounded by extremist Islamic countries, and is thus at the center of this global conflict. Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip, the empowerment of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the open alliance between Iran and Syria and the strengthening of Islam in Turkey have turned the Middle East and the conflict between Israel and its neighbors as a case study as to whether—and how—it is possible to overcome fundamentalist Islam.

The study unit of "The Islamic World–Culture, Politics and Terrorism" deals with the religious and historical background of Islam, the development of radical Islam, and the unique modes of operation employed by international terrorist groups. In addition, the unit covers the operative strategies of the West and Israel in facing these phenomena.


Among the topics covered in this unit:

The religious development of Islam
Implications of the religious principles of Islam on the conflict in Israel
The significance of the fundamentalist factor in Islam
Radical Islam and Moderate Islam
Changes in the Islamic world in the 20th century
Islam, Europe, and the Israeli price
Islam and Judaism: hostility or cooperation?