The book offers an exhaustive analysis of the Israeli academic establishment, encompassing its history, development, and the various debates it has sparked. Structured into three sections, including an introduction, ten chapters, and a conclusion, the book methodically explores the intricate interplay of knowledge, politics, and economics within the Israeli academic context.

The initial chapter provides a historical perspective on the genesis of higher education and scientific research institutions in Israel. It traces the evolution leading to the foundation of the Hebrew University, delving into the academic and political discourses that influenced its role in the Zionist project.

Subsequent chapters dissect the progression of higher education post-Israel's establishment, focusing on the institutionalization of the sector. This includes significant developments such as the establishment of the Higher Education Council and the unification of universities. A pivotal point discussed is the government's controversial decision in 2012 to recognize a university in the Ariel settlement, challenging the longstanding consensus since the early 1970s.

The text also examines a period termed the "lost decade," characterized by diminishing government investment in higher education and research universities. This led to a notable decline in faculty numbers relative to student growth, reduced research funding, and concerns about an academic brain drain.

About the author:

Muhannad Mustafa holds a doctorate from the School of Political Science at the University of Haifa. He is the Director General of Mada al-Carmel: Arab Center for Applied Social Studies, Head of the History Department at the Arab Institute for Education at Beit Berl Academic College, and a lecturer in the MA in Israeli Studies program at Birzeit University. Dr. Mustafa has published numerous refereed scientific articles in Arab and foreign periodicals, focusing on the fields of Israeli and Palestinian politics.