Heller, Joseph (emeritus)

Born 1937, Tel Aviv; Ph.D. 1971, London School of Economics and Political Science; Lect. 1971; Sen. Lect. 1979; Assoc. Prof. 1989.

Research Interests:

International relations, 1870-1990. The history of Zionism and the Yishuv. The history of the State of Israel. Zeev Jabotinsky and the Revisionist movement.

Abstracts of Current Research:

From Holocaust to Statehood - the emergence of the State of Israel, 1945-1949:

Research entails a comprehensive study of the Zionist struggle for independence. The ideological and political struggle within and among the Zionist political parties is seen as a key to the eventual success. An examination is made of the consolidation of power as a basic conceptual framework, i.e., the assumption that the accumulation of manpower, strategic bases, through immigration and settlement, the building of a military force, and of economic strength as the basic lever of an international diplomatic and political campaign. The Holocaust survivors and the lessons of the Holocaust were perceived as powerful instruments in this struggle. The contribution of America and American Jewry is examined - the myth and the reality, as well as the relative assistance of Soviet Russia, with its potential and limitations. Terrorism is conceived as both obstacle and catalyst.

The focus of this book-length study is the Yishuv, with special attention to Mapai, the leading Zionist party, and the other working-class parties, such as the Ahdut Ha-Avoda movement and Ha-Shomer Ha-Tzair, which contributed to the consolidation process. The decision making process of the Zionist leadership, headed by David Ben-Gurion, will be examined systematically, particularly in its ability to distinguish between the British as a short-term enemy and the Arabs as a long-term enemy, and why the IZL (the Irgun) and Leài (the Stern Gang) failed to make such a distinction.

Zeev Jabotinsky and the Revisionist revolt against materialism:

This is a study of Jabotinsky's world view and his attempt to build an alternative ideology to both Marxism and fascism. The positivist aspect of his ideology and politics is explored.

Zeev Jabotinsky and the romanticism of the myth of national liberation:

This study examines the place given by the founder of Revisionist Zionism to political romanticism and to the myth of national liberation in his world view.