Famous Israeli Historians

Benzion Netanyahu was a renowned Polish-born Israeli encyclopedist, historian, and medievalist. He held the position of professor of history at Cornell University and was a prominent figure in the Revisionist Zionism movement. Specializing in Judaic history, his expertise focused on the history of the Jews in Spain. Netanyahu was an editor of the Hebrew Encyclopedia and also served as an assistant to Benjamin Azkin, Ze'ev Jabotinsky's personal secretary.

William of Tyre was a medieval prelate and chronicler known for his work as Archbishop of Tyre. He spent years studying liberal arts and canon law in European universities before returning to Jerusalem in 1165. He served as an ambassador to the Byzantine Empire and later became chancellor and archbishop of Tyre, holding prominent positions in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. William led the eastern delegation to the Third Council of the Lateran and authored a renowned history of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, establishing himself as a significant chronicler of the crusades.

Gershom Scholem was a German-born Israeli philosopher and historian, known as the founder of modern academic study of the Kabbalah. He was appointed the first professor of Jewish mysticism at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Scholem played a significant role in recovering, collecting, and organizing sacred texts related to Jewish mysticism that had been scattered and disordered due to historical events like the European enlightenment and the Final Solution. His efforts, along with his students and colleagues, greatly contributed to the restoration of Kabbalistic bibliography and provenance.

Benny Morris is an Israeli historian known for his work on the Arab–Israeli conflict and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He was a professor of history at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and was part of the group of Israeli historians called the "New Historians". Morris coined this term along with other historians like Avi Shlaim, Ilan Pappé, and Simha Flapan. His work has been both praised and criticized for its approach and findings, with an ideological shift noted in his work around the Second Intifada.

Shlomo Sand is an Emeritus Professor of History at Tel Aviv University in Israel. He is known for his scholarly work in the field of history, particularly in the areas of nationalism, identity, and historiography. Sand has published several influential books that challenge conventional historical narratives, focusing on topics such as the invention of the Jewish people and the construction of national identities. Through his research and writings, Sand has made significant contributions to the academic study of history and identity politics.

Yehuda Bauer is a Czech-born Israeli historian and scholar known for his expertise in Holocaust studies. He serves as a professor at the Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Bauer has made significant contributions to the field of Holocaust research and education, receiving international recognition for his work. However, his stance on the Bosnian genocide, specifically his denial of the genocide in Srebrenica, has sparked controversy and criticism among scholars and human rights advocates.

Yitzhak Ben-Zvi was a historian, ethnologist, Labor Zionist leader, and the longest-serving President of Israel. He conducted extensive research on Jewish communities in the Land of Israel, focusing on Mizrahi, Sephardic Jewish, and Samaritan communities. Through his work, he preserved oral histories, gathered firsthand accounts, and published numerous books and articles on the subject. His efforts shed light on the traditions, language, folklore, and religious practices of these communities. The Ben-Zvi Institute, which he founded and directed, remains an important institution for research on Jewish communities in the Middle East.

Martin van Creveld is an Israeli military historian and theorist renowned for his contributions to the field. With a distinguished career spanning decades, he has authored numerous influential books and articles on military strategy, warfare, and the evolution of armed forces. Van Creveld's work is characterized by its depth of analysis and critical insights, earning him international recognition as a leading authority in military studies. Through his research and teachings, he has significantly shaped the understanding of military history and theory worldwide.

Benjamin Mazar was a pioneering Israeli historian and archaeologist, recognized as the "dean" of biblical archaeologists. He conducted significant excavations at key biblical sites in Israel, including the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and Beit She'arim catacombs. Mazar played a crucial role in the development of historical geography in Israel and authored over 100 publications on biblical history. He served as a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he also held leadership positions and contributed to its academic growth and international reputation. Mazar was known for inspiring and mentoring a new generation of prominent historians and archaeologists in Israel.

Avigdor Arikha was a Romanian-born French-Israeli artist, printmaker, and art historian known for his significant contributions to the art world. His professional life was distinguished by a deep commitment to artistic expression and a mastery of various mediums. Arikha's work encompassed a wide range of styles, from figurative to abstract, and he was celebrated for his exceptional skill in capturing the essence of his subjects. His artistry and expertise as an art historian left a lasting impact on the global art community.

Elias Sanbar is a Palestinian historian, essayist, poet, translator, and diplomat. He has been serving as the Palestinian ambassador to UNESCO since 2012. Sanbar is a co-founder of the prestigious academic journal Revue d'études palestiniennes and has been its editor-in-chief for 25 years. His book "The Palestinians" received the Palestine Book Awards in 2015. Additionally, Sanbar is known for his translation work, particularly for translating the poetry of Mahmoud Darwish into French. His professional life is characterized by his significant contributions to Palestinian literature, history, and diplomacy.

Reviel Netz is an Israeli scholar specializing in the history of pre-modern mathematics. He currently holds a professorship in classics and philosophy at Stanford University. Netz has an extensive academic background, including studies at Tel Aviv University and Cambridge University, where he earned his doctorate. His research interests cover various aspects of cognitive history, including literacy, numeracy, and visual culture. Netz is a prolific author, with notable works such as The Archimedes Palimpsest and The Archimedes Codex. He has received prestigious awards for his contributions to the history of science and has appeared as an expert on PBS's Nova.