Response ·
The Unsung Heroes Who Make Israeli Victory Possible
By Daniel PolisarOperation Rising Lion highlights the sacrifices and contributions of the IDF's reservists.
Daniel Polisar
Daniel Polisar is the executive vice-president and a member of the faculty at Shalem College in Jerusalem.
Latest Content
Monthly Essay ·
The Israeli Reservists Who Just Won’t Quit
By Daniel PolisarFighting Israel’s longest war, the IDF’s citizen soldiers are revitalizing the Zionist ideal.
Observation ·
The Best Books of 2022, Chosen by Mosaic Authors
By Elliott Abrams, Tamara Berens, Andrew Koss, Daniel Polisar, Neil Rogachevsky, Sarah Rindner, Jonathan SilverFeaturing wars, peacemakers, two cultures, pogroms, plays, four ages, wild problems, caves, magic, letters, American conservatives, liberal parents, radical children, and more.
Response ·
Why Herzl Succeeded Where Those Before Him Failed
By Daniel PolisarThree reasons that explain why Theodor Herzl succeeded in igniting an international movement while others, like Leon Pinsker, netted only a small, struggling organization.
Observation ·
The Best Books of 2020, Chosen by Mosaic Authors (Part III)
By Gary Saul Morson, Yehoshua Pfeffer, Daniel Polisar, Neil Rogachevsky, Michael WeingradFive more of our regular writers pick several favorites each, featuring Stalingrad, the master, Margarita, parasitic minds, infectious ideas, dust, heaven, Zoom, traveling light, and more.
Observation ·
The Best Books of 2019, Chosen by Mosaic Authors (Part I)
By Elliott Abrams, Diana Muir Appelbaum, Matti Friedman, Haviv Rettig Gur, Daniel Johnson, Moshe Koppel, Daniel PolisarSeven of our regular writers pick several favorites each, featuring sieges, spies, cultural revolutions, family papers, useful enemies, new fields of inquiry, and more.
Response ·
The Common Sense of Israel’s Voting Public
By Daniel PolisarIsraelis are neither blind to Netanyahu's flaws nor fooled by his diversions. They chose him because he best reflects their political values and best secures their interests.
Observation ·
The Best Books of 2018, Chosen by Mosaic Authors
By Elliott Abrams, Haviv Rettig Gur, Moshe Koppel, Daniel Polisar, Sarah Rindner, Neil Rogachevsky, Michael Weingrad, Dr. Ruth Wisse, David WolpeLetters, antidotes, eternal lives, outcasts, secret worlds, pogroms, and more.
Observation ·
Best Books of the Year, as Selected by Mosaic Authors
By Elliott Abrams, Peter Berkowitz, Daniel Polisar, Neil Rogachevsky, Michael Weingrad, Dr. Ruth Wisse, David WolpeSpy games, catch-67s, lionesses, smugglers, patriots, setting suns, and more.
Observation ·
The Most Politically Significant Meeting of Any Group of Jews in the Last 1,800 Years
By Daniel PolisarThe story of Theodor Herzl and the First Zionist Congress, convened 120 years ago on this date.
Response ·
Why Making Peace with the Palestinians Isn’t Like Making Peace with Egypt and Jordan
By Daniel PolisarEgypt and Jordan had strong leaders committed to peace; the Palestinians don't. That makes the views of ordinary Palestinians all the more significant, and worrisome.
Monthly Essay ·
Do Palestinians Want a Two-State Solution?
By Daniel PolisarWestern statesmen and politicians have long asserted that the two-state solution commands majority support on the ground. Most Palestinians say otherwise.
Observation ·
What Palestinians Think about the Knife Intifada
By Daniel PolisarSix months after the current wave of violence began, some observers think it might be running out of steam. But what next?
Response ·
Why Do Palestinians Believe What They Believe?
By Daniel PolisarThe "occupation" isn't enough to explain the views they hold on Israel, Jews, and the desirability of violence.
Monthly Essay ·
What Do Palestinians Want?
By Daniel PolisarIt’s time to take a close look at an often ignored subject: what ordinary Palestinians think about Israel, Jews, and terrorist attacks on civilians.
