Topics

AREAS AND TOPICS

Thematic Scope and Area Studies Orientation: As an area studies conference, ICIJS does not operate under a pre-designated overarching theme established by the organizing committee. Provided that submissions directly focus on and contribute to the field of Israel or Jewish Studies, there are no restrictions regarding the chosen topic, historical period, methodological framework, discipline, or geographical focus.

Interdisciplinary Scope and Relevant Disciplines: Accordingly, the conference is open to all disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches engaging with Israel and Jewish Studies. Submissions may encompass research conducted from the theoretical and methodological perspectives of foundational humanities—such as history, religious studies, philosophy, literature, and linguistics—as well as contemporary political science, international relations, sociology, security studies, law, and other related fields.

The conference has no pre-set theme restrictions, and submissions may cover, including but not limited to, the following topics:

Language, Literature, Culture, and Onomastics

Comparative Semitics and the Ural-Altaic Language Family

From Sacred Tongue to Modern Standard: The Revival of Hebrew

Hebrew Paleography, Epigraphy, and Textual Criticism

Hebrew Language and Literature Studies in Türkiye

The Image of the Turk in Hebrew Literature

The Image of Arab and Islam in Contemporary Hebrew Literature

Jewish Onomastics and Genealogical Studies

Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) and Yiddish Linguistic and Literary Heritage

Turkish Popular Culture in Israel: Television Series and Music

Ottoman and Turkish-Jewish Relations

Over Five Hundred Years of Historical Course in Turkish-Jewish Relations

Ottoman and Republican Era Turkish Jews

The Significance of Ottoman Archives in Jewish Studies

Jerusalem and Palestinian Sanjaks under Ottoman Rule

Religious Identity of Turkish Jews and Relations with Western Diasporas

Jerusalem and Palestine-Focused Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Türkiye

Turkish Political Thought, the Turkish Left, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict

Türkiye-Hamas Relations and Diplomatic Engagements

The Chief Rabbinate of Turkey and Legal Status of Community Foundations

Israeli Domestic Politics, Law, Identity, and Society

Identity Dynamics in Israel: Ashkenazi, Mizrahi, Sephardic, and Ethiopian Jews

Secular-Religious Cleavages and the Haredi Community in Israeli Society

Religion-State Relations and Transformations in the Public Sphere

Religious Zionism and the Rise of the Far-Right in Israel

Evolution of the Center and Left Movements in Israeli Politics

Recent Judicial Reform Debates and Constitutional Crisis in Israel

Arab/Palestinian Citizens of Israel: Legal, Political, and Social Status

States of Emergency and Military Jurisprudence in Israel

Human Rights Law and Civil Society Monitoring Mechanisms in Israel

Nation-Building, Official Ideology, and Public Education Policies

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Contemporary Security

The October Seventh Hamas Attacks and the Israel-Gaza War

The Six-Day War and Regional Turning Points

Negotiation Processes and Conflict Resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Two-State vs. One-State Solution Models

The Deal of the Century and Alternative Peace Initiatives

Israeli Settlements and Settler Movements in the West Bank

De Facto and De Jure Annexation Debates in the West Bank

The Palestinian Refugee Issue, Right of Return, and Displacement

Asymmetric Warfare, Human Shielding Allegations, and Hybrid Threats

Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement and Global Solidarity

The Blockade of the Gaza Strip, Humanitarian Crises, and Reconstruction Scenarios

 International Law, Law of War, and Human Rights

Universal Jurisdiction, the Crime of Genocide, and ICJ Proceedings

International Criminal Court Investigations and Jurisdictional Mandate

Law of Belligerent Occupation and Application of the Fourth Geneva Convention

Warfare, Theology, and Religious Doctrines on Violence and Peace

Distinctions and Boundaries Between Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism, and Criticism of Israel

Prisoners of War, Hostages, and International Humanitarian Law

Foreign Policy, Regional Security, and Global Actors

Türkiye-Israel Diplomatic Relations: Crises, Normalizations, and Regional Rivalry

The US-Israel-Iran Shadow War across Regional and Global Security Axes

United States Strategy toward Israel and the Middle East

European Union Foreign Policy and Normative Approaches to the Middle East

Russia-Israel Relations and Moscow’s Regional Security Architecture

China’s Expanding Middle Eastern Presence and Israel within the Belt and Road

The Abraham Accords and the Normalization Process with Gulf States

Israel’s Periphery Doctrine and Eastern Mediterranean Alignments

Israel and Its Bordering Neighbors: Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon

Political Economy, Energy, R&D, and Defense Industry

Political Economy of Israel and the Trajectory of Neoliberal Reform

Innovation Ecosystem, High-Tech Sector, and the Start-up Nation Model

Israeli Defense Industry, Military R&D, and Cyber Security Exports

Bilateral Commercial and Trade Relations Between Türkiye and Israel

Comparative Economic Analysis of Türkiye, Iran, and Israel as Regional Powers

Eastern Mediterranean Hydrocarbon Reserves, Energy Geopolitics, and Pipelines

Middle Eastern Water Resources, Hydropolitics, and Israeli Desalination Technologies

Impact of Political Crises and Security Dynamics on Regional Development

Consequences of Global Economic Shocks and Sanctions on Middle Eastern Markets

Economic Repercussions of Boycott Policies on Regional and Global Supply Chains

Jerusalem, Holy Places, Archaeology, and History

Holy Places in Jerusalem, the Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif, and Historical Status Quo

Faith Tourism, Pilgrimage Routes, and Urban Economy in Jerusalem

The Holy Land and Historical Perceptions Regarding the Loss of Jerusalem

Biblical Archaeology in Israel and Neighboring Lands

Archaeology, Historiography, and the Political/Visual Construction of the Past

Pre-State Jewish Settlement in Palestine: Old Yishuv and New Yishuv

Zionist Congresses, Theodor Herzl, and the Emergence of Modern Zionism

Palestine under the British Mandate and Administrative Policies

The Arab-Israeli War and the Nakba

Diaspora, Perceptions, Future Projections, and Academic Studies

Global Jewish Diaspora: Aliyah, Integration, and Settlement Dynamics

Political and Cultural Rifts Between Israel and the American Jewish Diaspora

The Post-Soviet Russian-Speaking Jewish Diaspora and Its Political Impact in Israel

Perceptions of Israel and Judaism in the Muslim World: Knowledge Production and Myths

Shared Islamic-Jewish History and Judeo-Arabic Cultural Heritage

Christian Zionism, Evangelical Theology, and Pro-Israel Advocacy Networks

Turkish, Seljuk, Ottoman, and Turkish Studies in Israeli Academia

Institutionalization of Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli Studies in Turkish Universities

Israeli Higher Education Infrastructure, Universities, and Academic Freedom

Israeli and Jewish Studies in the Era of Digital Humanities

Emerging Paradigms and Theoretical Horizons in Israel and Jewish Studies

Strategic Foresight, Simulations, and Future Peace Scenarios for the Middle East

Artificial Intelligence, Information Warfare, and Public Diplomacy

Area Studies Methodology and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Israel Studies