Author: Taylaqov, To‘ychiboy

Annotation: This article analyzes the evolution of Israeli historiography from 1948 to 2025. In the early decades, Israeli historians relied on a paradigm of "founding heroism" that served to reinforce the young state's international and domestic legitimacy. However, by the late 1980s, the opening of classified state archives and socio-political changes gave rise to the "New Historians" movement, which critically examined the past. Drawing on scholarly evidence, they challenged traditional views regarding the establishment of the State of Israel—specifically the myths surrounding the origins of the Palestinian refugee issue and the balance of forces during the 1948 war. The article examines the complex interplay between collective memory, historical narratives, and state legitimacy, exploring the transition from a hegemonic "melting pot" ideology—aimed at creating a unified culture—to a "mosaic society" characterized by diverse and competing groups. This analysis shows that in Israel, history is not merely a means of studying the past but a central arena for current political and cultural struggles.

Keywords: Israeli historiography, New Historians, Ethnocracy, Collective memory, Ethnic politics, Mosaic society, Zionism and post-Zionism, Palestinian refugees (Nakba)

Pages in journal: 238 - 247