App. "In this first ethnographic account of North American diaspora Jews imagining and experiencing Israel, Habib blends anthropological, historical, and cultural studies theories together in an analysis of diaspora nationalism that has broad implications. Reflecting on her personal history as a peace activist of mixed Jewish and Palestinian parentage, she looks at community events in North America that celebrate the attachment and sense of obligation to Israel and Israeli Jews, and presents community members' various exchanges on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. What emerges from this exploration is Habib's provocative contention that much of the existing literature about North American Jews and their relationship to Israel ignores their diverse reactions to official narratives and perpetuates an 'official silence' surrounding the destructive aspects of nationalist sentiments. As a result of this silence, Habib argues, Jewish studies has been unable to assert disciplinary autonomy from Zionist theory, and modernism, nation building, and national territory have not been interrogated as analytical categories in these new geopolitical contexts."--Jacket.

Zionism, diaspora, and Israel -- Touring Israel -- Celebrating return : one nation, one land -- Development and democracy -- Settling the nation, defending the state -- The politics of securing peace -- Representing Israel -- Identifying (with) Israel : Zionism and the state -- Identifying (with) Israel after Zionism -- Narrating relations for diaspora -- Longings -- A home away from home -- Routes to belonging -- Fielding questions of identity -- Diaspora belonging.