I am beginning this blog and have to first start off by introducing a theme: I am a masters student at the London School of Economics (in the Department of Government) undertaking my field research in Israel for the summer. I am looking at arab social movements in Israel which have developed since the events of October 2000. I am asking the question: why have arab social movements within Israel taken so long to develop, and does the events of October 2000 present us with a new paradigm?

SO follow along, while I interview, research, and explore the events of 2000 and their impact on Israeli civil society, and state society-relations.

I do not know how this project is going to develop, but it is interactive, it has no set starting or ending date, and it is inclusive. When one is talking about civil society and charting contentious social movements, one is already looking at the grassroots, a top down approach will not do.

comments, corrections, and directions are most welcome, all intrusions welcome!!!!!

---- Liora Norwich